Here’s a comforting and easy Chicken and Rice Bake recipe 🍗🍚—creamy, hearty, and perfect for a family meal.
Chicken and Rice Bake
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 4 chicken breasts (bone-in or boneless)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain rice (uncooked)
- 2½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (optional)
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- 1 tsp thyme or Italian seasoning
- ½ cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven
- Heat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare chicken
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sear chicken 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
- Cook aromatics
- In the same skillet, sauté onion and garlic until soft (~3–4 minutes).
- Assemble bake
- In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, combine rice, sautéed onions and garlic, chicken broth, frozen peas and carrots, and thyme.
- Place chicken on top of rice mixture.
- Bake
- Cover with foil and bake 35–40 minutes (or until rice is tender and chicken reaches 165°F / 74°C).
- Optional cheese topping
- Remove foil, sprinkle cheese on top, and bake 5–10 more minutes until melted and bubbly.
- Serve
- Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Use bone-in chicken for extra flavor.
- Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or broccoli for more veggies.
- For a creamier version, stir ½ cup cream or sour cream into the rice mixture before baking.
If you want, I can also give a one-pot stovetop version that’s quicker and just as creamy.
Do you want me to share that version?
