Description
This No Peek Chicken Rice Casserole is a comforting one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken tenders bake atop a flavorful mixture of uncooked rice, creamy soups, and savory seasonings, all covered to lock in moisture and flavor. Easy to prepare and requiring minimal hands-on time, this casserole yields a delicious, hearty dish that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Casserole Base
- 1 ½ cups uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 (10.5 oz) can low-sodium cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5 oz) can low-sodium cream of celery soup
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 pounds chicken tenders (about 12 strips)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 (1 oz) packet dry onion soup mix
Instructions
- Preheat and Combine: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine the uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, and chicken broth until well mixed. Pour this mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Top with Chicken: Arrange the chicken tenders neatly over the rice mixture in a single layer. Sprinkle the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, paprika, and freshly cracked black pepper. Finally, evenly sprinkle the dry onion soup mix over the top of the chicken for extra flavor.
- Bake: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam and moisture. Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Avoid removing the foil during baking to ensure the rice cooks evenly and the chicken remains tender.
- Serve: Once baked, remove the foil and fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate the grains. Serve the creamy, tender chicken and rice casserole hot for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Do not remove the foil during baking to ensure the rice cooks properly and the casserole stays moist.
- You can substitute chicken tenders for chicken breasts or thighs, adjusting baking time as needed.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine or lemon juice to the rice mixture before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- This recipe can be adapted to gluten-free by using gluten-free cream soups and onion soup mix.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
