Heartwarming Chicken and Rice Bake Recipe to Soothe Your Soul

Cozy weeknight dinners demand a hearty chicken and rice bake that satisfies every craving.

This classic comfort dish promises warmth and flavor in one delectable casserole.

Tender chicken pieces nestled amid perfectly seasoned rice create a mouthwatering meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Simple ingredients blend seamlessly to craft a crowd-pleasing recipe everyone loves.

Each forkful delivers rich, savory notes that make dinnertime special.

The combination of juicy chicken and fluffy rice guarantees a filling meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Dive into this delicious recipe and experience pure comfort on a plate.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 5

Start With These for Comforting Chicken and Rice Bake

• Cream Of Chicken Soup: Silky foundation that creates creamy texture and adds depth of savory chicken essence.
• Cream Of Mushroom Soup: Enriches sauce with earthy undertones and helps bind ingredients together smoothly.
• Water: Hydrates rice and helps create perfect cooking consistency.

• Chicken Fillets: Lean protein that becomes tender and absorbs surrounding flavors during slow baking process.

• Minute Rice: Quick-cooking grain that absorbs soup liquids and creates hearty base.
• Lipton Onion Soup Mix: Powerful dry seasoning that infuses intense aromatic onion notes throughout dish.
• Butter: Provides rich lubricating layer, prevents sticking, and adds subtle golden undertone.

Prep Tool Needed for Comforting Chicken and Rice Bake

• 9×13 inch baking pan: Essential for creating the perfect casserole size and ensuring even cooking.
• Medium-sized mixing bowl: Perfect for combining rice, soups, and water before assembling the dish.
• Tablespoon: Needed for greasing the baking pan with butter.
• Aluminum foil: Crucial for covering the pan during baking to keep moisture locked in.
• Measuring can: Used to measure water from the soup can.

How You’ll Cook Comforting Chicken and Rice Bake

• Oven Warmup

Get your oven nice and toasty at a cozy 350°F, creating the perfect environment for this hearty meal.

• Pan Preparation

Grab a butter-slicked 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent any sticky situations and add a touch of richness.

• Rice and Soup Harmony

Blend Minute Rice with creamy soups and water in a bowl, creating a dreamy base that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Layer of Comfort

Spread the rice mixture across the pan, creating a soft blanket for the upcoming chicken adventure.

• Chicken Placement

Nestle chicken fillets onto the rice landscape, ensuring they’re evenly distributed for consistent cooking.

• Flavor Explosion

Dust the chicken with Lipton Onion Soup Mix, transforming ordinary ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

• Baking Magic

Wrap the pan in aluminum foil and let it bake for 1-1.5 hours, allowing flavors to mingle and chicken to become perfectly tender.

• Resting Period

Let the casserole take a quick breather after baking, letting all those delicious flavors settle and intensify.

Make It Better: Comforting Chicken and Rice Bake Tweaks & Ideas

• Replace chicken breasts with thighs, turkey cutlets, or pork chops for a different protein twist that keeps the meal exciting and versatile.
• Experiment with brown rice, quinoa, or wild rice blend instead of Minute Rice to add more nutritional value and create a heartier texture.
• Stir in frozen mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, or broccoli directly into the rice mixture to increase the dish's nutritional profile and add colorful appeal.
• Sprinkle additional herbs like dried thyme, rosemary, or paprika over the chicken before baking to create more complex flavor layers and personalize the casserole.
• Grate some sharp cheddar or sprinkle parmesan cheese during the last 15 minutes of baking for a melty, golden-brown topping that adds richness and depth.

Best Ways to Plate Comforting Chicken and Rice Bake

• Pair with Fresh Sides: Complement the rich, creamy chicken and rice bake with crisp green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the hearty flavors and add nutritional variety.
• Garnish for Brightness: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives on top to introduce a pop of color and light herbaceous notes that cut through the dish's richness.
• Perfect Wine Pairing: Select a light white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc that will refresh the palate and harmonize with the creamy, savory casserole.
• Customize Individual Portions: Serve in individual ramekins for an elegant presentation that allows guests to enjoy personalized servings with their own crispy edges.

Keep It Fresh: Comforting Chicken and Rice Bake Storage Tips

• Refrigerate Quickly: Cool the chicken and rice bake within two hours of cooking, transferring leftovers to an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Pack individual portions in freezer-safe containers, ensuring a tight seal to prevent freezer burn. These meals stay delicious for up to 3 months, making meal prep a breeze.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. Cover with foil to retain moisture and prevent the chicken from drying out.
• Maximize Freshness: Store refrigerated meals for 3-4 days maximum. Always use clean utensils when serving to prevent contamination and keep the dish tasting its best.

Hearty Chicken And Rice Bake Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken and rice bake brings Mediterranean flavors to classic comfort food. Layers of tender chicken, fragrant herbs, and creamy rice create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (453 grams) boneless, skinless chicken fillets
• 2 cups Minute Rice (brown or white)
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 soup can of water
• 1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) butter (for greasing the pan)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), positioning the rack in the center for uniform heat distribution.
2. Dish Setup: Thoroughly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter, creating a non-stick surface for easy serving and cleanup.
3. Rice and Soup Fusion: In a large mixing bowl, blend instant rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and water until a smooth, homogeneous mixture forms.
4. Base Layer Formation: Spread the rice-soup blend evenly across the prepared baking dish, establishing a consistent foundation for the casserole.
5. Protein Placement and Seasoning: Layer chicken fillets over the rice mixture, then generously dust with Lipton Onion Soup Mix to infuse deep, savory flavors throughout the dish.
6. Moisture Preservation: Tightly cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, trapping steam and ensuring the chicken remains succulent during cooking.
7. Cooking Process: Bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1.5 hours, monitoring until chicken is thoroughly cooked and rice achieves a tender, fluffy consistency.
8. Resting and Serving: Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes post-baking, enabling flavors to meld and intensify before presenting at the table.

Notes

• Moisture Magic: Cover the dish tightly with foil to lock in steam, ensuring chicken stays juicy and rice cooks perfectly without drying out.
• Rice Ratio Trick: Use exact water measurements to prevent soggy or undercooked rice, creating the ideal creamy consistency.
• Seasoning Secret: Distribute Lipton Onion Soup Mix evenly for maximum flavor penetration, transforming ordinary chicken into a delectable dish.
• Resting Ritual: Allow casserole to sit 5-10 minutes after baking, letting flavors meld and making serving easier and more appetizing.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 880mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 47g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 29g
• Cholesterol: 90mg