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
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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