Angel Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe
If you’re searching for the ultimate comfort food that feels both elegant and easy, look no further than Angel Chicken Rice Casserole. This creamy, dreamy dish layers tender chicken breasts under a luscious sauce, with fluffy white rice to soak up every drop of flavor. Whether you’re feeding your family on a busy weeknight or looking for a crowd-pleaser at your next potluck, this casserole delivers all the warmth and satisfaction of a classic, but with a touch of magic that will have everyone requesting seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Angel Chicken Rice Casserole is how a handful of everyday ingredients come together to create something truly special. Each component brings its own character—creamy, savory, tangy, or just the right bite—to make this dish unforgettable.
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless for quick prep and lean protein that stays juicy in the creamy sauce.
- Cream Cheese: The secret to a silky, decadent sauce—make sure it’s softened for easy blending.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Adds rich flavor and body to the sauce, making it extra comforting.
- Chicken Broth: Thins out the sauce just enough and deepens the savory notes.
- Italian Dressing Seasoning Mix: Infuses the whole casserole with bright, herby, slightly tangy flavor.
- Butter: A touch for sautéing and richness that rounds out the creamy sauce.
- Cooked White Rice: Soaks up all the sauce and turns the casserole into a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meal.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkled on top for a salty, golden finish that’s utterly irresistible.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a mellow, aromatic punch without overpowering the other flavors.
- Black Pepper: Just enough to balance the creaminess and add depth.
- Chopped Parsley (optional): For a fresh, vibrant pop of color and flavor as a final flourish.
How to Make Angel Chicken Rice Casserole
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and giving your 9×13-inch baking dish a light coat of nonstick spray or a swipe of butter. This ensures easy cleanup later and that none of that creamy sauce goes to waste.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce
In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter, then add cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and the Italian dressing seasoning mix. Stir everything together until you have a smooth, velvety sauce. Add the garlic powder and black pepper, giving the sauce a final stir to bring all those flavors together.
Step 3: Layer the Chicken
Nestle the chicken breasts in a single layer in your prepared baking dish. Pour the warm, dreamy sauce evenly over the top, making sure each piece is surrounded by plenty of flavor.
Step 4: Bake the Chicken
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. This step lets the chicken gently poach in all that creamy goodness, keeping it extra tender and juicy.
Step 5: Add Rice and Cheese
After 30 minutes, remove the foil, add the cooked white rice around the chicken, and gently stir to let the rice soak up the sauce. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top for a golden, cheesy finish.
Step 6: Final Bake
Return the dish to the oven uncovered, baking for another 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted, the sauce is bubbling, and your kitchen smells absolutely heavenly. Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving—this helps everything set and makes for easier scooping.
How to Serve Angel Chicken Rice Casserole
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbal note that balances the richness of Angel Chicken Rice Casserole. For an extra flourish, you can also scatter a few extra shavings of Parmesan over the top just before serving.
Side Dishes
This casserole is a meal in itself, but it pairs beautifully with simple steamed green beans, a crisp garden salad, or roasted broccoli. The freshness of veggies on the side helps lighten up the creamy main dish and brings balance to your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving Angel Chicken Rice Casserole in individual ramekins for a dinner party, or spoon it into a hollowed-out bread bowl for a rustic, crowd-pleasing twist. For a family-style approach, pile it high on a big platter and let everyone dig in—this dish is all about sharing comfort and joy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, let the casserole cool to room temperature, then cover tightly with foil or transfer to airtight containers. Angel Chicken Rice Casserole will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it perfect for next-day lunches.
Freezing
This casserole is freezer-friendly! Allow it to cool completely, then wrap the dish in a double layer of foil or portion it into freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, cover the casserole with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. Individual servings can be microwaved on medium power in 1–2 minute bursts, stirring halfway. Add a splash of chicken broth if the rice seems dry to bring back that creamy texture.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Shred rotisserie chicken and stir it into the sauce with the rice before baking. This not only saves time but also gives the Angel Chicken Rice Casserole a wonderful depth of flavor.
Can I add vegetables to the casserole?
Yes, you can easily add steamed broccoli, peas, or even sautéed mushrooms for extra color and nutrition. Just mix them in with the rice before the final bake to make this dish a complete one-pan meal.
Is it possible to make this casserole gluten-free?
To make Angel Chicken Rice Casserole gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free cream of chicken soup and double-check that your Italian dressing mix is also gluten-free. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
What type Main Course
Fluffy, cooked white rice is traditional and soaks up the sauce beautifully, but you can substitute with brown rice or even cooked quinoa for a nuttier flavor and extra fiber.
Can I prep this casserole ahead of time?
Definitely! Assemble the casserole up to the point of baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, simply add a few extra minutes to the initial bake time if it’s coming straight from the fridge.
Final Thoughts
If you’re longing for a cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner that’s easy enough for a weeknight but special enough to serve company, Angel Chicken Rice Casserole is your new go-to. It’s creamy, satisfying, and always brings smiles to the table—so gather your loved ones and make this recipe your own!
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Angel Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Angel Chicken Rice Casserole is a creamy, comforting one-dish meal perfect for family dinners. Tender chicken breasts baked in a luscious sauce made from cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, and Italian dressing seasoning, combined with fluffy white rice and topped with Parmesan cheese for a cheesy finish. Easy to prepare and sure to please all ages.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 packet (0.7 oz) Italian dressing seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Rice and Topping
- 3 cups cooked white rice
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make the Sauce: In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Stir in the softened cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and Italian dressing seasoning mix, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and well combined. Add garlic powder and black pepper to season.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the chicken breasts evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Pour Sauce over Chicken: Pour the creamy sauce evenly over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook in the sauce.
- Add Rice and Cheese: Remove the foil and add the cooked white rice around the chicken. Gently mix the rice with some of the sauce to coat. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake Uncovered: Return the dish to the oven without the foil and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the sauce is bubbly.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh touch.
Notes
- For quicker preparation, use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breasts and stir it directly into the sauce with the rice before baking.
- Add steamed broccoli or peas to the casserole to create a balanced, full one-dish meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
