Elegant Christmas Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe
This Elegant Christmas Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole is a warm, comforting, and hearty dish perfect for festive family gatherings. Tender chicken breasts are baked with creamy cheddar cheese, rice, and a savory blend of cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and onion soup mix, resulting in a rich and flavorful casserole. Easy to prepare and wonderfully cheesy, this casserole makes a delightful main course for holiday dinners or cozy winter nights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked long grain white rice
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 uncooked chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise
Liquid and Soup Base
- 2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup (10.5 ounces each) or homemade cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons onion soup mix or 1 packet dry Lipton Onion Soup Mix
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the casserole.
- Prepare the baking dish: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Mix the soup base: In a large bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, milk, and onion soup mix. Stir until well blended to create a flavorful liquid base.
- Add rice and seasoning: Stir in the uncooked long grain white rice, fresh minced parsley, salt, and pepper into the soup mixture, ensuring the rice is evenly coated.
- Layer chicken and rice mixture: Pour half of the rice mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly. Arrange the halved chicken breasts over this layer, then pour the remaining rice mixture over the chicken, covering it completely.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole for a delicious cheesy crust.
- Bake the casserole: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes to brown the cheese and ensure the rice and chicken are fully cooked.
- Rest and serve: After baking, let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set and cool slightly, making it easier to dish out.
Notes
- Using homemade cream of chicken soup can enhance flavor and reduce preservatives.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted with thighs for a juicier texture.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste, especially if using salted broth or soup mixes.
- Covering with foil prevents the casserole from drying out during baking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated for a quick meal the next day.
Keywords: Christmas casserole, cheesy chicken casserole, chicken and rice bake, holiday dinner recipe, comforting casserole