Luscious Creamy Chicken and Veggie Rice Bake Recipe for Dinner Joy

Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering creamy chicken and veggie rice bake that delivers pure home-cooked satisfaction.

Packed with tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a luscious sauce, this dish promises to become a weeknight dinner staple.

Every forkful blends wholesome ingredients into a comforting melody of flavors and textures.

The recipe combines simplicity with incredible taste, making it a go-to meal for busy households.

Hearty and nourishing, this one-pan wonder comes together effortlessly with minimal prep work.

Cheese-topped and golden brown, it’s a meal that sparks joy and satisfies even the pickiest eaters.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a delicious dinner that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

How to Serve This Creamy Rice Dish Hot

• Serve with Fresh Greens: Toss a crisp side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette to balance the creamy richness of the bake.
• Pair with Crusty Bread: Slice a warm French baguette or rustic sourdough to soak up the delicious sauce and add a satisfying crunch to the meal.
• Top with Herbal Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives over the dish to add a burst of color and a bright, fresh flavor that cuts through the creaminess.
• Complement with Tangy Condiment: Serve with a small dish of zesty hot sauce or tangy Greek yogurt on the side for those who want an extra flavor kick.

How to Store and Reheat Creamy Chicken and Rice Bake

• Store Smartly: Transfer leftover chicken and rice bake into airtight containers, keeping them fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Package individual portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen meals stay delicious for 2-3 months when properly sealed.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated portions in the microwave, covering with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture. For oven reheating, add a splash of chicken broth to prevent dryness and restore the dish's creamy texture. Heat at 350°F until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Prep-Ahead Strategy: Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours before baking. Cover tightly and refrigerate. When ready to cook, remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking to ensure even heating. Extend baking time by 10-15 minutes if cooking directly from cold.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Total Time: 21 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 7

Creamy Chicken and Veggie Rice Bake Ingredient

• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich, smooth foundation for sautéing and building deep flavor layers.
• Yellow Onion: Provides sweet, aromatic base that creates delicious underlying taste profile.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and balances dish's complex flavors.
• Black Pepper: Introduces subtle heat and complements other ingredients' natural tastes.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates silky sauce texture and helps thicken mixture.
• Chicken Broth: Delivers savory liquid base with concentrated protein-rich essence.
• Whole Milk: Contributes creamy consistency and softens sauce's overall character.

• Chicken Thighs: Provides tender, juicy protein with richer flavor compared to breast meat.
• Frozen Mixed Vegetables: Adds nutritional variety, convenient color, and quick cooking element.
• Uncooked White Rice: Serves as hearty, filling foundation that absorbs surrounding flavors.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Offers melty, tangy finish with golden-brown crispy topping.

Kitchen Essentials for Chicken and Veggie Rice Bake

• Large Skillet: Essential for sautéing onions and creating the creamy sauce.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending sauce ingredients smoothly and eliminating lumps.
• 11×7-inch Baking Dish: Provides the right size for mixing rice, vegetables, and chicken.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure salt and pepper.
• Measuring Cups: Crucial for precise liquid and rice measurements.
• Aluminum Foil: Covers the dish during initial baking to keep moisture locked in.
• Cutting Board: Used for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Helps dice onions with precision.

How to Cook Creamy Chicken and Veggie Rice Bake

• Oven Preparation Warmup

Settle your oven rack right in the middle and crank the temperature to 375°F. Grab a baking dish and give it a quick spray coating.

• Onion Magic

Melt butter in a big skillet over medium heat. Toss in diced onions and let them dance around until they’re soft and translucent, releasing their sweet aroma.

• Sauce Creation

Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir quickly. Pour in chicken broth and milk, whisking away any stubborn lumps. Watch the mixture transform into a creamy, silky sauce that’ll make your taste buds sing.

• Rice and Veggie Base

Spread uncooked rice and frozen vegetables into the baking dish. Drench everything with your luscious sauce, making sure every grain gets some love.

• Chicken Nestling

Gently place seasoned chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture, letting them snuggle into the creamy landscape. Cover the dish completely with foil.

• Baking Journey

Slide the dish into the oven and let it bake for about an hour. The rice will become tender, and the chicken will reach perfect doneness.

• Cheesy Finale

Uncover the dish, sprinkle a generous layer of cheddar cheese, and let the residual oven heat melt it into a golden, irresistible topping.

Flavor Options for Chicken and Veggie Rice

• Replace chicken thighs with boneless chicken breasts, turkey, or even plant-based alternatives like tofu for a different protein profile.
• Mix in additional frozen or fresh vegetables like diced bell peppers, corn, or spinach to increase nutritional value and add vibrant colors to the dish.
• Experiment with herbs and spices like dried thyme, smoked paprika, or Italian seasoning to create unique taste combinations that suit your palate.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the creamy texture.
• Try different cheese varieties like monterey jack, pepper jack, or gruyère to add depth and excitement to the melted cheese topping.

Hearty Chicken And Veggie Rice Bake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 21 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty chicken and veggie rice bake delivers comforting Mediterranean flavors in one satisfying casserole. Each spoonful combines tender chicken, perfectly seasoned vegetables, and creamy rice for a delightful meal you’ll savor to the last bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 3 cups frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, corn, peas, and green beans)
• 1 cup yellow onion, diced (from 1 medium onion)
• ¾ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 ¾ cups (414 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
• ½ cup (120 ml) whole or 2% milk
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter
• 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 2 tsps kosher salt
• ¾ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Cooking spray
• Hot sauce (for serving)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack in the middle and preheat to 375°F (190°C). Thoroughly coat an 11×7-inch baking dish with cooking spray for effortless release.
2. Aromatic Base: In a large skillet, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Sauté diced yellow onion with kosher salt until translucent and tender, developing rich flavor layers approximately 3-5 minutes.
3. Sauce Creation: Dust all-purpose flour over sautéed onions, stirring continuously to form a smooth roux. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk, eliminating potential lumps. Incorporate black pepper and simmer until sauce transforms into a luxurious, velvety consistency.
4. Assembly: Combine uncooked rice and frozen vegetables in the prepared baking dish. Pour thickened sauce over the mixture, gently folding to ensure comprehensive ingredient distribution and even coating.
5. Chicken Placement: Season chicken thighs with remaining salt and black pepper. Delicately nestle seasoned chicken pieces into the rice-vegetable blend, creating an elegant, uniform layer.
6. Baking Process: Securely cover the dish with aluminum foil, trapping moisture and promoting optimal steam circulation. Bake for 60 minutes, monitoring rice tenderness and ensuring chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
7. Finishing Touch: Remove foil and generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the surface. Return to the turned-off oven, allowing residual heat to melt cheese into a golden, bubbling masterpiece within 2-4 minutes.

Notes

• Prevent Sticking Carefully: Generously grease the baking dish to ensure easy serving and cleanup, avoiding frustrating stuck-on food.
• Master the Sauce Technique: Whisk continuously when adding broth and milk to create a silky smooth sauce without any unwanted lumps.
• Chicken Doneness Check: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 160°F, guaranteeing perfectly cooked meat.
• Cheese Melting Pro Tip: Let residual oven heat gently melt the cheese for a golden, bubbling top without overcooking the entire dish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg