Famous Chicken & Rice Casserole

An easy casserole recipe for creamy rice and fork-tender chicken that cooks in one dish. No need to precook the rice or brown the chicken first – just mix and bake!

I used chicken broth and cream of celery because I think chicken and celery just go together but also because – and this is weird – I really love cream of celery soup for cooking! They’ve come a looooooong way with canned creamed soups so I use them more than I once did but I especially like cooking with cream of celery. If it’s not your thing, feel free to use whichever variety you like best!

You’ll Need:

• 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 14.5-oz cans chicken broth
• 2 10.5-oz cans cream of celery soup
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups uncooked white rice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• Additional salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine chicken broth, cream of celery soup, butter and rice in a bowl then stir to combine.
2. Combine salt, paprika, garlic and pepper then stir well. Add HALF of the seasoning combination to the rice mixture then stir well.
3. Spray a 3-qt 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray (or rub with butter) then pour rice mixture into dish.
4. Cut each chicken breast in half. Season the chicken with additional salt and pepper. Arrange chicken on top of rice mixture then sprinkle the remaining seasoning combination over the dish.
5. Cover tightly with aluminum foil then bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove aluminum foil then continue baking for 10 additional minutes. Remove from oven then allow dish to rest 10-15 minutes before serving.

NOTES:

• It is imperative that the dish be covered tightly with aluminum foil – consider covering with two layers.
• If rice is not tender, return foil to dish then continue baking for 5-10 minutes (my rice was perfectly tender but all ovens do not cook the same).
• You must use a 3-qt or larger baking dish for this recipe to prevent the dish from cooking over. Mine was pretty darn close to the brim while it was cooking. Consider placing a cookie sheet under your dish to prevent any messes. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have sometimes, ya know?
• Feel free to use cream of chicken or mushroom soup instead of cream of celery.
• Cutting the chicken into two pieces is totally optional. Feel free to leave the chicken breasts whole.
• This recipe could easily be cut in half. If using a 13x9 dish, reduce the cooking time to 1 hour with additional 5 minutes uncovered. If using something smaller, cook per the instructions above.