Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
What Started it all:
chicken, rice, cheese .
This cheesy chicken and rice casserole is a perfect comfort food dish for a family dinner. The combination of tender chicken, fluffy rice, and melted cheese will leave your taste buds dancing. Get ready to impress your guests with this delicious and hearty meal.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 2 cups of long-grain white rice
- 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup of chicken broth
- 1 cup of milk
- 1/2 cup of diced onion
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika on both sides.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sear the chicken breasts until golden brown on each side. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant.
- Add the rice to the skillet and stir it around for a minute or two until it's coated with the onion and garlic mixture.
- Pour in the chicken broth and milk, and sprinkle in the dried thyme. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it simmer for about 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- While the rice is cooking, shred the cooked chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- Once the rice is cooked, remove the skillet from heat and stir in the shredded chicken.
- Transfer the chicken and rice mixture into a greased baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.