Description

This Forgotten Chicken Casserole is a hearty, old-fashioned comfort dish with a creamy twist. Tender chicken breasts bake low and slow under a rich, savory sauce filled with rice, vegetables, and melty cheddar. It’s the kind of cozy, set-it-and-forget-it dinner that fills the house with delicious aromas and leaves everyone satisfied.

Ingredients

Scale

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups cooked rice
1 cup crushed cornflakes (optional, for topping)
2 tablespoons butter, melted (optional, for topping)
Nonstick spray or butter for greasing the baking dish

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or butter and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk or stir until smooth and well blended.
Add the frozen mixed vegetables and cooked rice to the bowl. Stir until the vegetables and rice are evenly coated in the creamy mixture.
Arrange the chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
Pour the creamy rice and vegetable mixture evenly over the chicken, making sure each piece is fully covered.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
If using the crunchy topping, combine the crushed cornflakes with the melted butter in a small bowl, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the cheese.
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to allow it to thicken slightly, then serve warm, scooping a piece of chicken along with plenty of creamy rice and vegetables.

Notes

Use thin or evenly sized chicken breasts so they cook through at the same rate. If your chicken breasts are very thick, slice them in half horizontally.
Frozen vegetables can go straight into the mixture without thawing; they’ll cook through in the oven.
If you prefer a saucier casserole, add an extra 1/4–1/2 cup chicken broth to the mixture before baking.
Taste the sauce mixture before adding the raw chicken to adjust salt and pepper to your liking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Dinner, Main Course, Casserole
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 420 kcal
Sugar: 4 g (approx.)
Sodium: 900 mg (approx.)
Fat: 22 g (approx.)
Saturated Fat: 11 g (approx.)
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g (approx.)
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 32 g (approx.)
Fiber: 2 g (approx.)
Protein: 26 g (approx.)
Cholesterol: 95 mg (approx.)

Keywords: forgotten chicken casserole, creamy chicken casserole, chicken and rice bake, easy comfort food, weeknight casserole