Brace yourselves, y’all – this Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken and Rice Casserole is about to blow your mind! As the bold culinary rebel behind Maxivore.com, I’m here to transform your ordinary meals into epic, flavor-packed food adventures. Get ready to dive into a creamy, dreamy, and absolutely INSANE dish that’s guaranteed to have your taste buds doing the happy dance.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken and Rice Casserole
This ultimate comfort food casserole is a true flavor explosion! The combination of juicy, tender chicken, creamy sauce, and aromatic herbs creates a mouth-watering masterpiece that will have you coming back for seconds (and maybe thirds). Prepare to be wowed by the incredible depth of flavors and the way this dish will make your kitchen smell like a flavor paradise. This is the kind of meal that will have your friends and family begging you for the recipe – trust me, it’s that good.
Ingredients
Get ready to stock up on some irresistible ingredients for this Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken and Rice Casserole. You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts, long-grain rice, chicken broth, heavy cream, garlic, fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley, and a few other pantry staples. The key is to use high-quality, fresh ingredients to create a truly sensational dish.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts – diced into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (for a richer, more juicy texture)
- Heavy Cream: Low-fat milk or unsweetened almond milk (to make it a bit lighter)
How to Make Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken and Rice Casserole
Get ready to transform your kitchen into a flavor paradise with this incredible Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken and Rice Casserole. It’s a truly epic dish that’s about to have your taste buds doing the happy dance.
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and gathering all your fabulous ingredients. Dice the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes, mince the garlic, and chop the fresh herbs. Get everything ready to assemble your mind-blowing casserole.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In a large skillet, sauté the diced chicken and minced garlic over medium-high heat until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Then, stir in the uncooked rice, chicken broth, heavy cream, and chopped herbs. Let the mixture simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the sauce has thickened to a creamy consistency.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Transfer the creamy chicken and rice mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish and top it with a generous amount of shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese (because, why not?). Pop it in the oven and let the flavors meld together into a sensational, mouth-watering casserole, about 25-30 minutes.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Once the Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken and Rice Casserole is golden brown and bubbly, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, get ready to dive in and savor every incredible bite of this revolutionary comfort food dish. Warning: This dish causes serious food jealousy!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Add More Veggies: Sauté some mushrooms or spinach along with the chicken and garlic for an extra boost of nutrition.
- Crunchy Topping: Top the casserole with a layer of buttery, crispy breadcrumbs or crushed crackers for an amazing texture contrast.
- Spice it Up: Swap out the herbs for some bold, exotic spices like cumin, paprika, or chili powder to really make your taste buds explode.
- Creamy Mushroom Version: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the chicken and garlic, then stir in a can of cream of mushroom soup along with the other wet ingredients.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: a fresh green salad, roasted vegetables, or some crusty bread for dipping in the delicious sauce.
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the oven until heated through.
Make-Ahead: This Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken and Rice Casserole is perfect for meal prepping. Simply assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake it. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to account for the chilled ingredients.
Nutrition Information
Dive into this Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken and Rice Casserole without any guilt, because it’s packed with high-quality protein, wholesome carbs, and a rich, creamy sauce that will leave you feeling satisfied and energized. Each serving is a true flavor explosion that’s sure to nourish your body and soul.
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the casserole
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Protein: 35 g
- Carbs: 40 g
- Fat: 25 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t like certain herbs?
No problem! Feel free to swap out the herbs with your personal favorites or leave them out altogether. This dish is all about customizing it to your taste buds. Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today?
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! This Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken and Rice Casserole is perfect for meal prepping. Simply assemble the casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake it. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to account for the chilled ingredients.
How can I make this dish lighter?
To lighten things up, you can use low-fat or non-dairy milk instead of heavy cream, and swap out the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless thighs. You can also load up on extra veggies like spinach or broccoli to boost the nutrition.
Can I use a different type of rice?
Of course! This recipe works great with a variety of rice, from long-grain white rice to brown rice or even wild rice. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
What should I serve with this Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken and Rice Casserole?
The possibilities are endless! This dish pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad, roasted vegetables, or some crusty bread for dipping in the delicious sauce. Get creative and make it a truly epic meal.
Try These Next
- Creamy Garlic Herb Mac And Cheese With Crispy Topping
- Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Risotto
- Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken Pasta
Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Comfort Food Favorites
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Creamy Garlic Herb Chicken and Rice Casserole is a comforting dish packed with flavor and creamy goodness. Perfect for family dinners!
Ingredients
2 cups cooked rice
1 lb chicken breast, diced
1 cup cream of chicken soup
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, diced chicken, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, cheddar cheese, sour cream, garlic, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix well until all ingredients are combined.
4. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
5. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
6. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the top is golden.
Notes
For added flavor, you can sprinkle some extra cheese on top before the final baking step.
This casserole can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: chicken, casserole, creamy, comfort food