Description
This Savory Baked Herb Chicken Casserole combines tender chicken, fragrant herbs, creamy cheese sauce, and fluffy rice—all baked under a golden, buttery breadcrumb topping.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups cooked rice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
3. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet, and cook until they are golden brown on all sides. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, thyme, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper as desired.
5. Allow the mixture to simmer for around 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it’s melted and well incorporated.
7. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice and the chicken mixture. Mix thoroughly to ensure the rice is evenly coated.
8. Transfer the chicken and rice mixture into a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
9. In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
11. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
You can prep this casserole ahead and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Add a splash of broth if reheating leftovers to restore creaminess. For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 115mg