Description
Hearty comfort meets culinary delight in this angel chicken rice casserole, blending creamy textures with savory chicken and perfectly seasoned rice. Comfort-seekers and home cooks will find pure satisfaction in each delicious, warmth-filled spoonful of this classic midwestern dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs or 680g)
Starches:
- 2 cups (400g) uncooked white rice
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 300g) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 300g) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) dry white wine (optional, or substitute with more chicken broth)
- 1 block (8 oz / 225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet (1 oz / 28g) Italian dressing mix
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping (Optional):
- 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Ready a 9×13-inch casserole dish and preheat oven to 350F, creating a foundation for this comforting meal.
- Distribute uncooked rice evenly across the bottom of the greased baking dish, establishing the base layer.
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring robust flavor throughout the protein.
- Arrange seasoned chicken directly atop the rice layer in the casserole dish.
- Combine cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, white wine, cream cheese, and Italian dressing mix in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Whisk the sauce ingredients continuously until cream cheese melts completely, creating a smooth, velvety texture.
- Carefully pour the prepared sauce evenly over chicken and rice, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Seal the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil, trapping moisture and promoting even cooking.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, monitoring until chicken reaches 165F internal temperature and rice becomes tender.
- Optional cheese enhancement: Remove foil and sprinkle shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese across the surface.
- Return to oven for an additional 5-7 minutes, allowing cheese to melt and develop a golden, bubbly crust.
- Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven, helping flavors meld and settle.
- Garnish with fresh parsley to add a bright, herbaceous finish before serving.
Notes
- Swap rice for cauliflower rice to create a low-carb version perfect for keto diet followers.
- Substitute dairy-free cream cheese and non-dairy soups for lactose-intolerant individuals to make the recipe allergy-friendly.
- Add extra vegetables like spinach or mushrooms directly into the rice layer for increased nutrition and color variation.
- Use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breasts to reduce cooking time and simplify meal preparation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 334 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg