Description
Hearty Italian chicken rice casserole brings Mediterranean comfort to your dinner table. Melted cheese, tender chicken, and aromatic herbs combine in a satisfying one-pan meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 6 to 8 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Grains and Liquid Base:
- 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C), preparing a cozy environment for the culinary creation.
- In a spacious skillet, drizzle olive oil and introduce diced onions, minced garlic, and colorful bell peppers, sautéing until they become tender and aromatic.
- Introduce rice to the skillet, allowing it to gently toast and develop a nutty essence for a couple of minutes.
- Pour chicken broth into the skillet, coaxing the mixture to a delicate simmer and creating a flavorful foundation.
- Massage chicken thighs with a harmonious blend of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then gently nestle them into the rice landscape.
- Cascade undrained canned tomatoes over the chicken and rice, letting their vibrant juices weave through the ingredients and amplify the dish’s complexity.
- Seal the skillet with foil or a lid, then transfer to the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, ensuring the chicken reaches perfect doneness and the rice absorbs all available liquid.
- Once cooked, unveil the casserole and lavishly sprinkle mozzarella cheese across the surface, returning it to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to achieve a golden, melted finish.
- Allow the casserole a brief moment of rest, permitting flavors to harmonize, then garnish with a flourish of freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- One-pan meal that combines tender chicken, aromatic rice, and vibrant vegetables for a complete dinner solution.
- Toasting rice before adding liquid enhances its nutty flavor and prevents it from becoming mushy during baking.
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for juicier meat that stays moist and absorbs more seasonings during cooking.
- Undrained canned tomatoes create a rich, flavorful sauce that infuses the entire casserole with tangy brightness.
- Resting the dish for 5 minutes after baking allows flavors to meld and makes serving easier and more cohesive.
- Mozzarella cheese adds a creamy, golden finish that transforms this simple casserole into a restaurant-worthy meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg