Italian Chicken Rice Casserole is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, rice, vegetables, and Italian seasoning, all baked together in a creamy sauce. Here’s a simple recipe to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced chicken pieces to the skillet and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook the chicken until it is browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Saute the Vegetables:
- In the same skillet, add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell peppers.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients:
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables.
- Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), uncooked rice, chicken broth, and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish:
- Pour the chicken and rice mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking:
- Remove the foil from the baking dish and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Return the uncovered casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, and serve the Italian Chicken Rice Casserole hot.
This Italian Chicken Rice Casserole is a satisfying and flavorful one-dish meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. Enjoy the comforting flavors of Italian cuisine in every bite!