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easy-chicken-and-rice-casserole-recipe
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Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword easy-chicken-and-rice-casserole, easy-chicken-and-rice-recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Stand time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 495kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice (i.e. Ben's Original)
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 2 chicken bouillon cubes
  • 3 cups roughly chopped cooked chicken
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 8 oz chive and onion cream cheese (reduced fat)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 1/2 tsp granulated garlic
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper or black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onions
  • 1 4 oz can diced green chiles (mild or hot) well drained
  • 1 cup french fried onions
  • chopped cilantro for garnishing

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a deep 13 x 9 inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • In a 3 quart saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add rice, butter and chicken bouillon cubes. Mix well. Lower heat to medium low and simmer covered for 15 minutes or just until liquid is absorbed. Uncover, fluff with fork and set aside.
  • In a blender or using an immersion blender, blend together milk, cream cheese, sour cream, granulated garlic, salt, lemon pepper and onion powder until fully blended.
  • Place cooked rice, chicken, green onions, green chiles, 1 cup shredded cheese in a large mixing bowl. Add sauce, mix well. Pour into baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the top with reserved pepper jack cheese and french fried onions.
  • Bake for 35-45 minutes until golden, bubbly around the edge and the center is set when the dish is gently shaken. (Check halfway through and lay foil on top to prevent over browning the onions, if needed)
  • Let stand for 5 minutes then serve garnished with cilantro, if desired.

Notes

If you begin this recipe with cooked rice you'll need around 4.5 cups of cooked long grain rice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 495kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 1134mg | Potassium: 373mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 524IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 336mg | Iron: 1mg