Studies show that casseroles appear in over 60% of American family dinner rotations, and it's no surprise that Cheesy Chicken & Rice ranks among the top favorites. We've found that this versatile dish has earned its place in our kitchens not just for its comforting flavors, but for its remarkable ability to transform simple ingredients into something special. While many of us grew up with our grandmother's version, today's adaptations offer both convenience and creativity. Let's explore how this humble casserole has evolved from its campbell's soup origins to become a customizable masterpiece that we can all make our own.
Table of Contents
History
Simplicity lies at the heart of this beloved casserole's origins. Emerging in the mid-20th century, when convenience foods became increasingly popular, this comforting dish represented the perfect marriage between traditional home cooking and modern convenience. The Yum Asia Panda Mini Rice Cooker, with its versatile cooking functions, is an excellent tool for preparing such nostalgic meals. We can trace its roots to the post-World War II era when condensed soups and instant rice revolutionized American kitchens.
Campbell's Soup Company played a pivotal role in popularizing chicken and rice casseroles through their recipe pamphlets and advertisements. In the 1950s and '60s, busy homemakers embraced these one-dish meals as they balanced work and family life. The addition of cheese, which wasn't always present in early versions, became standard by the 1970s as Americans' cheese consumption grew significantly.
We've seen this recipe evolve from its basic beginnings to countless variations, but the core elements remain unchanged: chicken, rice, and a creamy binding sauce. What started as a practical solution for quick family dinners has become a nostalgic reminder of American home cooking, proving that sometimes the simplest combinations make the most enduring classics.
using a rice cooker for healthy meals
Recipe
Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole combines classic comfort food ingredients into a satisfying one-dish meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. The recipe uses pre-cooked chicken and instant rice to reduce preparation time while maintaining the rich, creamy texture that makes this dish a family favorite. For those looking to maximize convenience in the kitchen, consider the versatility of a rice cooker to prepare various components of this dish effortlessly.
This five-ingredient casserole delivers all the warmth and satisfaction of traditional chicken and rice dishes with minimal effort. The combination of cream soup, tender chicken, and melted cheese creates layers of flavor that blend perfectly with the fluffy rice base.
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 2 cups instant white rice
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup (10.5 oz each)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups chicken broth
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken broth and cream of chicken soup, stirring until smooth. Add instant rice and shredded chicken to the mixture, stirring thoroughly. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread shredded cheese evenly over the top, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for 10 additional minutes until the cheese turns golden brown and bubbly.
When the casserole comes out of the oven, it may appear slightly loose; this is normal as the rice continues to absorb liquid while resting. Allow the dish to stand for 5-10 minutes before serving to achieve the ideal consistency. To prevent the casserole from becoming dry, monitor the baking time carefully and verify your oven temperature is accurate. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Step By Step
Let's walk through the straightforward steps to create this comforting casserole.
We'll start by combining our chicken broth with cream of chicken soup, then mix in the rice and shredded chicken before transferring everything to our prepared baking dish.
Step 1. Mix Broth With Soup
Before assembling the casserole, we'll start by forming a smooth base from the chicken broth and cream of chicken soup.
In a large mixing bowl, we'll pour in two cups of chicken broth, followed by both cans of cream of chicken soup. Let's whisk these ingredients together until they're fully blended, making certain there aren't any lumps remaining.
You'll notice the mixture becoming uniform in consistency as you stir. We aim to achieve a smooth, velvety texture that'll help cook our rice and create that creamy casserole we're seeking. If you spot any stubborn clumps of soup, press them against the side of the bowl with your whisk or spoon to break them down.
This liquid base is essential because it'll provide the perfect amount of moisture to cook our instant rice while creating that rich, creamy sauce that makes this casserole so comforting. Be sure you've thoroughly combined these liquids before proceeding to the next step – it'll guarantee even cooking and prevent any dry spots in your finished casserole.
Step 2. Add Rice and Chicken
Now that our liquid base is ready, we're going to add in our two main components. The instant rice and shredded chicken will transform our creamy soup mixture into a hearty casserole filling.
Let's start by adding two cups of instant white rice to our bowl, making sure it's evenly spread throughout the liquid.
Next, we'll add our two cups of pre-cooked, shredded chicken. You'll want to break up any larger chunks of chicken before adding them to make certain even distribution throughout the casserole.
We're going to stir these ingredients thoroughly, making sure the rice and chicken are completely coated with our soup mixture. This coating process is essential because it helps the rice cook evenly and keeps the chicken moist during baking.
As we stir, we'll notice the mixture becoming quite thick – that's precisely what we want. The rice will continue absorbing liquid both during mixing and while it bakes. Keep stirring until you don't see any dry rice or uncoated chicken pieces.
Once everything's well combined, we're ready to transfer our mixture to the baking dish.
Step 3. Pour Into Baking Dish
With our well-mixed casserole filling ready, the next step focuses on properly transferring everything to our baking dish. We'll need a 9×13-inch baking dish that's been lightly greased to prevent sticking. Let's make certain we've got our oven preheated to 350°F before we begin this step.
Now, we'll carefully pour our chicken and rice mixture into the prepared baking dish. As we're pouring, let's use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of our mixing bowl to confirm we don't waste any of the creamy filling. We want to spread the mixture evenly throughout the dish, so let's gently shake the pan from side to side or use our spatula to level everything out.
Before we move on to the next step, we'll want to verify that our mixture is distributed uniformly in the dish. This guarantees even cooking and helps prevent dry spots. If we notice any areas where the rice or chicken seems clustered together, we can quickly redistribute it with our spatula.
The surface should look relatively smooth and level before we add our cheese topping.
Step 4. Top With Cheddar Cheese
The generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese forms our casserole's golden, bubbly crown. We'll want to spread two cups of shredded cheddar evenly across the entire surface of our chicken and rice mixture, making sure we reach all the way to the edges of the baking dish. This thorough coverage guarantees every serving will have that perfect cheesy bite.
While pre-shredded cheese works fine, we recommend shredding your own cheddar if possible. Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly since it doesn't contain the anti-caking agents found in packaged varieties. Whether using sharp or mild cheddar is entirely up to your taste preferences – both will create that coveted golden top we're looking for.
Once we've added our cheese layer, we'll cover the dish with aluminum foil. This initial covered baking period prevents the cheese from browning too quickly while allowing the ingredients beneath to heat thoroughly.
When we remove the foil for the final 10 minutes of baking, our cheese will transform into that beautifully browned, slightly crispy top that makes this casserole so irresistible.
Step 5. Bake Until Cheese Browns
After layering our cheese, we're ready for the most satisfying part of making this casserole – watching it transform in the oven.
We'll start by covering our baking dish with aluminum foil, which helps trap heat and moisture during the first phase of baking.
Place the covered casserole in our preheated 350°F oven and let it bake for 20 minutes. During this time, the rice continues to absorb the liquid while the ingredients meld together.
After the initial 20 minutes, we'll remove the foil – this is when the magic happens. Return the uncovered dish to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, keeping a close eye on the cheese.
We're looking for that perfect golden-brown color on top, with the cheese becoming bubbly around the edges. Don't be tempted to leave it in longer, as overbaking can dry out our casserole.
Once we achieve that beautiful golden top, we'll remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This resting period is essential – it allows the casserole to set properly and helps the rice absorb any remaining liquid.
Conclusion
We've taken a simple combination of chicken and rice and transformed it into something extraordinary. We've mixed creamy soups with savory broth, we've layered tender meat with fluffy grains, and we've crowned it all with melted cheddar perfection. When the casserole emerges golden-brown from the oven, we'll serve more than just dinner – we'll serve comfort, tradition, and love baked into every warm, cheesy bite.
