Description
Mexican-inspired chicken rice bake delivers hearty comfort with zesty spices and tender chicken nestled in fluffy rice. Melted cheese and fresh cilantro create a mouthwatering one-dish meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken fillets
Starches:
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
Seasoning and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Create an even layer of uncooked rice across the bottom of the greased baking dish.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and chicken broth until the mixture achieves a smooth, consistent texture.
- Carefully distribute half of the soup mixture evenly over the rice layer, ensuring complete coverage.
- Arrange chicken fillets on top of the rice and soup layer, then season generously with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
- Pour the remaining soup mixture over the chicken, making certain the meat is fully submerged and coated.
- Sprinkle the onion soup mix uniformly across the top of the dish to add a robust seasoning element.
- Shield the baking dish with aluminum foil, then transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- For a golden, crispy top, remove the foil during the final 15 minutes of baking.
- Once removed from the oven, let the dish rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a vibrant, fresh touch.
Notes
- Elevate this one-pan meal by using high-quality, low-sodium chicken broth for deeper flavor without excess salt.
- Ensure chicken is fully submerged in the soup mixture to guarantee tender, moist meat that falls apart beautifully.
- Swap out regular rice for brown rice for added nutrition, but increase cooking time by 15-20 minutes to compensate.
- For a crispy top, consider adding breadcrumbs or crushed crackers during the last 15 minutes of uncovered baking.
- Leftovers stay fresh in an airtight container for 3-4 days, making this an excellent meal prep option for busy weeknights.
- Customize the dish by incorporating vegetables like diced carrots or frozen peas directly into the rice layer for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg