Description
This Chicken and Rice Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting dish featuring tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a rich blend of cream cheese, butter, and seasonings. Topped with melted Colby Jack cheese and fresh parsley, it’s perfect for a hearty family meal or potluck.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened and cubed
- 1/2 Cup Butter, softened and cubed
- 3 Cups Cooked Chicken, diced or shredded (rotisserie recommended)
- 3 Cups Cooked Rice (1/3 wild rice, 2/3 white rice)
- 1 ¼ Cup Cream of Chicken Soup
- 3 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 0.7 ounce Good Seasons Dry Italian Dressing Mix
- 1 Cup Chicken Broth
- 2 ½ Cups Colby Jack Cheese, shredded and divided
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Fresh Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Cream Cheese and Butter: In a bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cooked rice, the cream cheese and butter mixture, cream of chicken soup, minced garlic, Italian dressing mix, chicken broth, half of the shredded Colby Jack cheese, and salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the combined chicken and rice mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Spray a sheet of aluminum foil with nonstick spray and cover the dish gently to avoid sticking.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes. Remove the foil halfway through baking to allow the cheese to brown slightly and develop a golden crust.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy your comforting chicken and rice casserole!
Notes
- This casserole is creamy and indulgent, perfect for those craving a cheesy, comforting meal.
- Using rotisserie chicken offers convenience and adds flavor, but you can also use freshly cooked chicken.
- Mixing wild rice with white rice adds texture and a nutty flavor.
- Feel free to substitute Colby Jack cheese with cheddar or your preferred melting cheese.
- Spraying the foil with nonstick spray prevents cheese from sticking when baking covered.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 375 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 646 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 93 mg
