Pioneer Woman Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe
This Pioneer Woman Chicken Rice Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish combining tender chicken breasts, creamy soups, and cheesy rice baked to perfection. It’s an easy-to-make one-dish meal perfect for family dinners, featuring simple pantry ingredients and a luscious, cheesy finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Soup Mixture
- 1½ cups long grain white rice
- 2 cans cream of chicken or mushroom soup
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups milk
- 1 envelope onion soup mix (or homemade)
Cheese
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Chicken
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix Rice and Soups: In a large mixing bowl, combine the long grain white rice, two cans of cream of chicken or mushroom soup, 2 cups milk, 1 cup water, and the entire envelope of onion soup mix. Stir until well blended.
- Assemble Base Layer: Pour the rice and soup mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the mixture. Gently stir to distribute the cheese without disturbing the rice too much.
- Add Chicken: Season the chicken breasts (or thighs) lightly with salt and pepper, then nestle them into the rice mixture. Evenly space the chicken pieces for even cooking.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture. Bake in the preheated oven for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the rice is tender and chicken is fully cooked through.
- Add Final Cheese Layer: Carefully remove the foil, evenly sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the casserole to sit uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes. This rest time allows the cheese to melt fully and the casserole to set for easier serving.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs if you prefer a juicier, more flavorful meat.
- Onion soup mix adds depth, but you can make your own blend from onion powder, garlic powder, and dried herbs.
- Covering the casserole during baking ensures the rice cooks evenly and stays moist.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving helps the cheese layer set nicely.
- For a lower fat version, use low-fat milk and reduced-fat cheese.
Keywords: Pioneer Woman, chicken casserole, chicken and rice, easy dinner, baked casserole, comfort food, cheesy chicken rice
