Chicken and rice casserole made with uncooked rice, half-and-half, chicken breast and baked all together to make one simple satisfying meal the whole family will love.
4chicken breast½ inch thick each, about 1 pound total
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped parsley for servingoptional
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9x13 inch baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray.
In a large skillet or saute pan add the butter.
Once the butter is melted, add the diced onion and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the Zoup! Good, Really Good® Culinary Concentrate™ Chicken Base with Bone Broth, garlic powder, thyme, and sage. Stir well to fully coat the onions.
Add the half-and-half to the pan and stir to combine.
In a small dish make a cornstarch slurry by adding the cold water and cornstarch together and stirring it together well with a fork.
Add the cornstarch slurry to the pan and stir to combine.
Add the parmesan cheese to the pan and stir to combine, stir often.
Rinse the rice in cold water until the water runs clear.
When the half-and-half mixture starts to steam across the top of the pan, add the rice and stir.
Add the rice mixture to the prepared pan. Stir it in the pan a little to make sure the rice is evenly distributed.
Salt and pepper both sides of your chicken and then place them on top of the rice in the pan.
Cover the pan with foil and place in the preheated oven.
After the dish has baked for 1 hour, take it out of the oven, remove the foil, and stir it with a spoon, scraping the bottom of the pan. This helps the rice to cook evenly. Replace the foil and return to the oven.
Bake for an additional 15-45 minutes or until the rice is tender and the inside of the chicken registers 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.
Remove from the oven and allow the dish to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve while still warm.
Notes
This would be an easy dish to add two more chicken breasts to and serve 6 people with.
This dish is a great candidate to play around with and make your own! I love adding a few cups of frozen peas when I add the rice. Just about any veggie would work. It’s also great with fresh or frozen broccoli florets added.
You can change up the seasonings to suit your tastes as well. It’s really good with Everything Bagel seasoning on the chicken.
Make sure the chicken breasts are approximately ½ inch thick each. If they’re too thick, they may require additional cooking time, and if too thin, they may cook too quickly, potentially drying out.
Rice Texture: The rice should be tender but not mushy. If it’s undercooked after the designated cooking time, you can add a bit more water and continue baking until it reaches the desired texture.
Checking Doneness: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
While optional, chopped parsley or even a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs like chives or basil can elevate the visual appeal and add a burst of flavor to the dish.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the casserole covered for about 15-20 minutes, or until it’s heated through. It can also be reheated in the microwave for a quicker option, but the oven method is recommended to retain the dish's creamy texture.