Description
Comfort meets nostalgia in this forgotten chicken and rice recipe, reviving a classic family favorite with tender meat and creamy rice. Home cooks will rediscover a hearty meal that warms hearts and satisfies hunger with simple, wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Grains:
- 2 cups instant rice
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) water
- 1 envelope onion soup mix
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing a comfortable cooking environment for the comforting casserole.
- Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter, ensuring no surface is left unprotected from potential sticking.
- Create a smooth, uniform base by whisking together cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, water, and rice until completely integrated.
- Transfer the silky soup-rice mixture into the prepared baking pan, establishing an even foundation for the chicken.
- Carefully arrange chicken breasts atop the liquid mixture, nestling them gently into the creamy landscape.
- Liberally dust the entire surface with onion soup mix, distributing seasoning evenly to maximize flavor penetration.
- Seal the baking pan completely with aluminum foil, trapping moisture and ensuring thorough cooking.
- Slide the covered dish into the preheated oven and bake for 1 to 1½ hours, monitoring until chicken reaches perfect tenderness and rice absorbs all liquid.
- During the final 10 minutes, remove foil and scatter shredded cheddar cheese across the surface for a golden, crispy finish.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize before serving directly from the baking pan.
Notes
- Swap cream soups with homemade versions for lower sodium and more controlled ingredients.
- Experiment with different rice varieties like brown rice or wild rice for added nutrition and texture complexity.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for richer flavor and more moisture retention.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular onion soup mix with gluten-free alternatives and using cornstarch instead of traditional thickeners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 343 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg