Creamy Pioneer Chicken Rice Bake Recipe
This Pioneer Chicken Rice is a comforting, easy-to-make casserole that combines tender chicken, creamy soup, cheese, and flavorful rice all baked together to create a hearty, satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Soup Mixture
- 1½ cups long grain white rice
- 2 cans cream of chicken or mushroom soup (10.5 oz each)
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups milk
- 1 envelope onion soup mix (about 1 oz) or homemade equivalent
Chicken
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cheese
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Rice Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the long grain white rice, cream of chicken or mushroom soup, water, milk, and onion soup mix. Stir until well blended to create a creamy base.
- Season Chicken: Lightly season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour half of the rice mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Lay the seasoned chicken breasts evenly over the rice layer. Then pour the remaining rice mixture over the chicken, ensuring the chicken is covered.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for approximately 1 hour, or until the rice is tender, the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C), and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for about 5-10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This allows it to set and makes serving easier. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken for a different flavor profile.
- Using chicken thighs will provide juicier, more flavorful meat than breasts.
- Make sure the chicken is fully cooked before serving to ensure food safety.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a lower sodium option, use low-sodium soup and onion soup mix or make your own seasoning blend.
Keywords: chicken rice casserole, baked chicken and rice, cheesy chicken casserole, pioneer chicken rice
