Description
This No Peek Chicken and Rice Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish featuring tender boneless chicken breasts baked atop a creamy mixture of instant rice, chicken broth, and condensed soups. Enhanced with classic seasonings and optional peas and carrots, it’s a flavorful one-dish meal that requires minimal prep and cooks in under an hour.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 5-6 ounces each)
Rice Mixture
- 2 cups instant rice (or Minute rice)
- 1¾ cups reduced sodium chicken broth (or water)
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (optional)
Seasonings
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Mix Rice and Soups: In the prepared baking dish, combine the 2 cups of instant rice, 1¾ cups of reduced sodium chicken broth (or water), both cans of condensed soup (cream of mushroom and cream of celery), and optional frozen peas and carrots. Stir the mixture well to evenly distribute all the ingredients.
- Add Chicken: Lay the 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts on top of the rice and soup mixture, pressing them down slightly so they sink into the rice layer for even cooking.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix together ¾ teaspoon each of onion powder and garlic powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning blend evenly over the chicken breasts for flavor.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to seal in moisture. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes without lifting the foil or peeking to ensure proper cooking and moisture retention.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove the casserole from the oven and keep it covered. Let it rest for 10 minutes to allow the rice to absorb any remaining liquid and for the chicken to finish cooking gently before serving.
Notes
- Using a glass or ceramic baking dish helps with even cooking and prevents burning.
- Do not lift the foil during baking to prevent steam from escaping; this helps cook the chicken and rice properly.
- Substitute water for chicken broth if lower sodium or vegetarian option is preferred, but chicken broth adds more flavor.
- Optional vegetables like peas and carrots add nutrition and color but can be omitted if desired.
- Make sure chicken breasts are similar in size for even cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
