Description
This No Peek Chicken Rice Casserole is a comforting, one-dish meal combining tender chicken tenders baked over flavorful rice infused with cream of chicken and celery soups. It requires minimal prep, is baked in one pan, and results in juicy chicken and perfectly cooked rice with savory seasonings. This casserole is ideal for a hassle-free family dinner, offering hearty and satisfying flavors with little hands-on cooking time.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice Mixture
- 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 to prevent sticking. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of uncooked long-grain white rice, one can each of low-sodium cream of chicken soup and cream of celery soup, and 1 ½ cups of low-sodium chicken broth. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are blended well.
- Top with Chicken: Pour the rice and soup mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Arrange 2 pounds of chicken tenders over the rice mixture in a single layer. Then, evenly season the chicken with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon paprika, and ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper. Finally, sprinkle the 1 oz packet of dry onion soup mix evenly over the chicken and rice mixture.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture during cooking and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour without opening the foil to ensure the rice absorbs the liquid and the chicken cooks thoroughly. Check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to confirm it is fully cooked.
- Serve: Once done, carefully remove the foil and use a fork to fluff the rice beneath the chicken. Serve the casserole hot, allowing the tender chicken and flavorful rice mixture to be enjoyed together as a complete and cozy meal.
Notes
- Do not lift the foil while baking to ensure rice cooks evenly and chicken remains moist.
- Use low-sodium broth and soups to control salt levels in the dish.
- You can substitute chicken breasts or thighs if preferred; adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For added vegetables, consider stirring in frozen peas or diced carrots before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
