Description
This No-Peek Chicken Casserole is a comforting, one-dish meal featuring tender chicken breasts baked on a creamy, savory rice mixture. The recipe uses simple pantry staples like cream of chicken and mushroom soups, Minute Rice, and Lipton Onion Soup Mix for an easy, fuss-free casserole perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Rice Mixture
- 2 cups Minute Rice (brown or white)
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can water (use the soup can to measure)
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter (for greasing the pan)
- 1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature when ready to bake.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter. This prevents sticking and adds a subtle buttery flavor to the dish.
- Mix Rice and Soups: In a medium bowl, combine the Minute Rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and the water measured using the soup can. Stir well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the rice and soup mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out as a base layer.
- Add Chicken: Arrange the boneless, skinless chicken breasts evenly on top of the rice mixture in the pan.
- Season Chicken: Sprinkle the Lipton Onion Soup Mix evenly over the chicken breasts to infuse flavor.
- Cover Pan: Cover the baking pan tightly with aluminum foil. This ‘no-peek’ step locks in steam to cook the rice and keep the chicken moist and tender.
- Bake: Place the covered pan in the oven and bake for 1 to 1.5 hours. Do not lift the foil during baking to maintain moisture and ensure even cooking. Check that the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender at the end of baking.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the dish settle and makes it easier to cut and serve.
Notes
- Do not remove the foil while baking as the trapped steam is essential for proper cooking and tenderness.
- You can substitute Minute Rice with any quick-cooking rice, adjusting liquid slightly if needed.
- Optional additions: add vegetables like peas or carrots for extra nutrition and color.
- Ensure chicken breasts are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
- If you prefer, use reduced sodium soups to control salt content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
