Creamy Baked Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

About

A hearty, comforting one-dish meal featuring tender chicken thighs baked over fluffy rice in a savory cream of mushroom sauce. Simple pantry ingredients come together for a family-friendly dinner that practically makes itself.

1. 1

   Preheat the Oven

   preheat 10 min

   Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 375°F (190°C). Allow at least 10 minutes for the oven to reach full temperature before baking.

2. 2

   Mix the Rice and Sauce

   prep 5 min

   In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and chicken broth until smooth and well combined. Stir in the uncooked rice, half of the garlic powder, half of the onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Pour the rice mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking dish.

3. 3

   Season the Chicken

   prep 5 min

   Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels if you haven't already, then season both sides generously with the remaining garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side up on top of the rice mixture in the baking dish, spacing them evenly.

4. 4

   Bake Covered

   cook 35 min

   Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated 375°F oven for 35 minutes. Keeping the dish covered traps steam, which cooks the rice and keeps the chicken moist during this first phase.

5. 5

   Bake Uncovered to Brown

   cook 20 min

   Carefully remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, until the chicken skin is golden brown and crispy and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh reads at least 165°F (74°C). The rice should be fully absorbed and tender — if it looks dry, you can stir a splash of broth around the edges before returning it to the oven.

6. 6

   Rest the Casserole

   rest 5 min

   Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest uncovered for 5 minutes. This allows the rice to firm up slightly and the juices in the chicken to redistribute for a more tender result.

7. 7

   Serve

   serve

   Scoop a generous portion of the creamy rice onto each plate and top with one chicken thigh. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh parsley or a crack of black pepper.