Description
This Angel Chicken Rice Casserole is a creamy, comforting, and easy-to-make baked dish combining tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a rich sauce made with cream cheese, sour cream, and Italian dressing mix. Topped with melted mozzarella cheese and optionally garnished with parsley, this casserole is perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Rice
- 3 cups cooked chicken (shredded or cubed)
- 2 cups cooked white rice
Sauce
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 packet Italian dressing mix
Topping
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Chicken: If you don’t have pre-cooked chicken, cook chicken breasts or thighs thoroughly by your preferred method and shred or cube the meat once it has cooled.
- Cook Rice: Prepare the white rice following package directions and set aside once cooked.
- Make Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, sour cream, chicken broth, and Italian dressing mix. Stir continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and well blended.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cooked chicken, cooked rice, and the prepared sauce until all ingredients are evenly coated and combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the chicken and rice mixture evenly into the greased baking dish.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the dish is bubbly and the cheese on top turns golden brown.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh touch.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked brown rice for a healthier twist.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker version of this casserole.
- For extra flavor, add sautéed onions or garlic to the sauce mixture.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- To make it lower fat, use reduced-fat cream cheese and sour cream.
