Description
A comforting and creamy Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole featuring tender chicken, fluffy rice, mixed vegetables, and a rich cheese sauce, baked to perfection in under an hour. This recipe is easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Sauce
- ¼ cup butter (½ stick)
- â…“ cup all-purpose flour (use gluten-free, if needed)
- 2 ½ cups milk of choice (2% recommended)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard or dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (~2 ½ cups), divided
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked shredded or cubed chicken breast (may use raw chicken – see Notes below)
- 3 to 3 ½ cups cooked brown or white rice
- 1 (12–16-ounce) bag frozen California blend vegetables (mix of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375℉ to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Mist a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside to prevent sticking.
- Make Roux: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Once melted, sprinkle the flour over the butter while whisking continuously until well combined, about 1 minute.
- Add Milk and Seasonings: Reduce heat to low and gradually whisk in the milk, one cup at a time, ensuring a smooth mixture. Stir in garlic powder, salt, mustard, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Melt Cheese: Stir 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese into the sauce until melted and smooth.
- Combine Casserole Ingredients: Pour the cheese sauce into the prepared baking dish. Add cooked rice, cooked chicken, and frozen vegetables. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly. Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake Covered: Bake the casserole covered in the oven for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and vegetables to cook through.
- Add Topping and Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil, stir the casserole gently, then sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top. Return uncovered to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes to melt and brown the cheese.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove from oven and let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Notes
- If using raw chicken, cook it thoroughly before mixing into the casserole to ensure food safety.
- You can substitute brown rice for white rice depending on your preference; adjust cooked quantity accordingly.
- Feel free to use any milk type such as whole, skim, or dairy-free alternatives based on dietary needs.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour in place of all-purpose flour.
- To add more flavor, consider seasoning the chicken with your favorite herbs or spices before cooking.
