Description
This Cheesy Chicken and Rice recipe is a comforting and easy-to-make dinner perfect for cozy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts baked with flavorful spices, combined with creamy cheddar cheese and sour cream-infused rice, create a delicious, hearty one-dish meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
Rice and Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Arrange them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Add Rice: Sprinkle the uncooked long-grain white rice evenly over the seasoned chicken breasts in the dish.
- Mix and Pour Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the chicken broth, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream until well blended. Pour this mixture evenly over the rice and chicken.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and rice to absorb the liquid.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes, letting the top become bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and the cheese to set slightly.
Notes
- You can substitute sharp cheddar with your favorite cheese such as Monterey Jack or mozzarella.
- For extra veggies, add chopped bell peppers or frozen peas on top before baking.
- Make sure to cover the dish tightly with foil to trap moisture for perfectly cooked rice.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To make it gluten free, ensure the chicken broth is certified gluten free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: cheesy chicken and rice, baked chicken and rice, one dish chicken dinner, comfort food, easy chicken recipes
