Baked casserole dishes are the ultimate comfort food—easy to prepare, hearty, and perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping! Here’s a classic, versatile recipe for a Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole to get you started:
🧀🍗 Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
🍽️ Serves: 6
⏱️ Time: 15 min prep + 45 min baking
🛒 Ingredients:
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2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great!)
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1 ½ cups uncooked white rice (or use instant rice for faster cooking)
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3 cups chicken broth
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1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, etc.)
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1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
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Salt and pepper to taste
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2 tbsp olive oil or butter
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Preheat oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Sauté aromatics:
In a skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat.
Sauté onion and garlic until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Mix casserole:
In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, uncooked rice, chicken broth, sour cream, cheddar cheese, sautéed onion and garlic, frozen veggies, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. Bake:
Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
5. Add cheese topping:
Remove foil, sprinkle extra shredded cheddar cheese on top, and bake uncovered for another 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve:
Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
💡 Tips:
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Swap chicken for ground beef or turkey for a different twist.
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Use brown rice but increase baking time and liquid slightly.
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Add mushrooms or swap veggies based on your favorite combos.
Want casseroles for breakfast, vegetarian options, or something with pasta instead? Just ask!
