Cheesy Chicken and Rice

Name: Cheesy Chicken and Rice
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into 1-inch cubes); 1 cup long grain white rice (rinsed and drained); 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 14.5 ounce chicken broth (regular or low-sodium); 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (divided); 1/4 cup melted butter (divided); 3/4 cup crushed buttery round crackers; Optional Garnish: parsley

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If you're craving comfort food flavors and have 10 minutes to prepare a dinner, make this Cheesy Chicken and Rice. Bite-sized chicken in a fluffy cheesy rice is a dinner win!

A baking dish filled with a chicken and rice casserole.

Nothing says comfort food quite like a casserole, and this one is nothing short of delicious! This Cheesy Chicken and Rice is about the easiest casserole I've ever made. It's filled with super simple ingredients, and is filled with cozy flavors! A blend of tender chicken, fluffy rice, and savory cheesy goodness baked to perfection is a guaranteed weeknight dinner win!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll like this Recipe

Simple Ingredients: Chicken, rice, garlic and cheese are the perfect combination of ingredients!
Easy to Make: It’s a simple prep and easy to clean up dinner!
Versatile Side Dishes: It pairs perfectly with many vegetable side dishes!
Amazing Flavors: The ingredients are basic, but the delicious flavors are anything but basic!

What You’ll Need

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

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Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Provides the main protein component and contribute to the texture and flavor of the dish.
Long grain white rice: Acts as the base and provides the carbohydrate component. It also absorbs the flavors of the other ingredients and adds texture to the dish.
Garlic powder: Adds flavor and aroma to the dish, enhancing the savory profile.
Chicken broth: Adds moisture, flavor, and depth to the dish, keeping the chicken and rice from drying out while cooking.
Cheddar cheese: Adds richness, creaminess, and a slightly tangy flavor to the dish. It also helps bind the ingredients together.
Butter: Contributes richness and flavor, as well as helps in achieving a creamy texture.
Crushed buttery round crackers: Adds a crunchy texture and buttery flavor to the dish, creating a contrast to the chewiness of the chicken and rice.
Fresh Parsley: An optional garnish for a pop of color and added fresh touch.

The ingredients needed to make a cheesy chicken and rice casserole.

Tools You’ll Need

How to Make this Recipe

Directly in a 9”x9” baking dish, add rice, chicken, broth, ½ cup water, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, 1 ½ cups of the cheese and 2 tablespoons of the melted butter. Carefully mix until combined, then cover tightly with foil. Bake 45 minutes.

Adding cheese to a baking dish filled with ingredients to make a chicken casserole.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together cracker crumbs and remaining butter.

Once the bake time is complete, carefully remove the foil. Mix the chicken and rice mixture, then top with the remaining cheese and buttery cracker crumbs.

Adding a cracker crumb to the top of a par-baked casserole.

Bake an additional 15-20 minutes or until the rice is tender, top is golden brown and chicken cooked through. Garnish with parsley.

A serving of chicken and rice casserole on a plate with green beans.

Tips and Substitutions

Rinsing or washing rice first removes that excess starch, resulting in grains that are more separate when cooked.
If you want to add additional creaminess, opt for a 13"x9" baking dish and add 10.5oz cream of chicken soup canned or homemade. Increase the covered bake time to 50 minutes and uncovered 20 minutes.
The seasonings of this casserole are simple: SPG...salt, pepper and garlic! You can swap out or opt for other/more seasonings to your palates preference.
While it can be tempting to try different types of rice, be sure to take into account the liquid ratio and the baking time. From personal experience, I have NEVER had uncooked rice at the end of bake time following this exact recipe. For other types of rice, here are some suggestions:
- Brown Rice: needs 5-10 minutes more covered bake time
- Minute Rice: needs 5-10 minutes less covered bake time. I have not made it with this rice, but I’ve been given feedback that it works great as well.
- Short Grain: not recommended as it becomes too soft and mushy

What to serve with Cheesy Chicken and Rice

Nearly any vegetable side dish will go well with this dish. Some of our favorites are Gremolata Green Beans or Gremolata Asparagus, a simple Side Salad, Glazed Brussels Sprouts, or Crispy Green Beans.

Storage

After the casserole has cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days. Store in the freezer in an airtight freezer safe container up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder?

Absolutely! You can substitute the garlic powder with 2-3 minced garlic cloves.

Do I have to use long grain rice?

While it can be tempting to try different types of rice, be sure to take into account the liquid ratio and the baking time. From personal experience, I have NEVER had uncooked rice at the end of bake time following this exact recipe. For other types of rice, here are some suggestions:
Brown Rice: needs 5-10 minutes more covered bake time
Minute Rice: needs 5-10 minutes less covered bake time. I have not made it with this rice, but I’ve been given feedback that it works great as well.
Short Grain: not recommended as it becomes too soft and mushy

Is this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe will be gluten-free if the buttery round crackers you choose are gluten-free.

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