Description
Comfort meets elegance in this heavenly Angel Chicken and Rice Casserole, blending creamy textures with savory depths. Delicate chicken nestles among perfectly seasoned rice, promising a satisfying meal that wraps you in warmth and pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Rice and Base Ingredients:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
Seasonings and Topping:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (or breadcrumbs)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare a welcoming canvas for this comforting culinary creation by warming the oven to 350°F and generously coating a 9×13-inch baking vessel with a protective layer of grease.
- Craft a luscious foundation by whisking together rice, chicken broth, creamy mushroom and chicken soups, sour cream, and aromatic seasonings in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture achieves a harmonious blend.
- Transform the baking dish into a layered landscape, spreading the rice mixture as a smooth, even foundation and draping tender shredded chicken across its surface.
- Enhance the casserole’s allure by showering cheddar cheese over the chicken, creating a molten blanket of flavor. Crush Ritz crackers and marry them with melted butter, then scatter this golden topping evenly across the cheese.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil, allowing it to nestle in the oven for 35 minutes, coaxing the ingredients into a harmonious melody. Unveil the foil for a final 10-15 minutes, encouraging the topping to achieve a radiant, crisp golden finish.
- Pause briefly to let the casserole settle and compose itself, then serve this warm, inviting symphony of flavors to eager diners.
Notes
- Swap out regular rice for cauliflower rice to create a low-carb version that’s equally delicious and satisfying.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to boost protein content and reduce overall fat while maintaining creamy texture.
- Create a gluten-free option by substituting Ritz crackers with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free cornflakes for the same crunchy topping.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the rice mixture for an aromatic twist that elevates the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg