Italian Chicken Rice Casserole is a comforting, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, seasoned rice, and a creamy sauce, all baked together to perfection. It’s an easy and hearty meal that’s perfect for a family dinner or even for meal prepping. Here’s a simple recipe for you to try!
Italian Chicken Rice Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or cubed, you can use rotisserie chicken to save time)
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice (or 1 1/2 cups cooked rice)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with Italian seasoning or plain)
- 1 cup chicken broth (or water if you don’t have broth)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan for extra flavor)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas or mixed veggies (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for greasing the dish)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
2. Prepare the Rice:
- If you’re using uncooked rice, rinse it well under cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside.
- If you’re using cooked rice, make sure it’s well-fluffed and not clumpy.
3. Make the Sauce:
- In a large bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and garlic powder, onion powder, basil, and oregano. Stir everything together until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Combine Everything:
- Add the cooked chicken, uncooked rice, and peas (or other veggies) to the soup mixture. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
5. Bake:
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- After baking, remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese (and Parmesan, if using) evenly on top, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve:
- Let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan, fresh basil, or parsley if desired.
Tips:
- Add more veggies: Feel free to add chopped bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini to the casserole for added flavor and nutrients.
- Make it creamy: For a richer dish, you can stir in 1/4 cup of sour cream or cream cheese into the sauce mixture.
- Rice Variation: If you prefer brown rice, you can use it instead of white rice. However, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time since brown rice takes longer to cook. You can partially cook the rice before adding it to the casserole.
- Herb options: Fresh herbs like basil or parsley would also work well for extra flavor!
This Italian Chicken Rice Casserole is simple, flavorful, and can be easily customized to your taste. It’s a great way to get a cozy dinner on the table with minimal effort. Let me know if you give it a try!