Description
A comforting and nutritious Savory Chicken Rice Casserole featuring tender chicken, wholesome brown rice, and a creamy, cheesy sauce with vegetables. This one-pan dish is easy to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups uncooked brown rice
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots mix
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of chicken broth to a boil. Add the uncooked brown rice, reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook for 40-45 minutes until tender and liquid is absorbed. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until translucent (about 5 minutes), then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Add the chicken pieces to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the frozen peas and carrots, dried thyme, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Combine thoroughly with the chicken and vegetables.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice with the chicken and vegetable mixture. Gently fold in half of the cheddar cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese.
- Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Pour the rice and chicken mixture into the dish and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and Parmesan cheeses over the top.
- Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can use chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your preference.
- Ensure the chicken is fully cooked before mixing with rice.
- If the casserole browns too quickly during the final baking stage, loosely tent it with foil.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 450-550 kcal (estimated)
- Sugar: Low
- Sodium: Moderate (due to low-sodium broth)
- Fat: Moderate
- Saturated Fat: Moderate
- Unsaturated Fat: Moderate
- Trans Fat: Low
- Carbohydrates: High
- Fiber: Moderate (from brown rice and vegetables)
- Protein: High (from chicken)
- Cholesterol: Moderate