Description
Hearty million dollar chicken rice-a-roni casserole promises comfort and flavor in one delightful dish. Creamy textures and savory ingredients blend seamlessly, making this recipe perfect for family dinners you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups chopped chicken
- 1 box chicken flavor Rice-A-Roni
- 1 (10.5 oz / 298 grams) can unsalted cream of chicken soup
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 (3 oz / 85 grams) can French fried onions
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350º F (175º C) and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Rice Foundation: Cook Rice-A-Roni according to package instructions, creating a flavorful grain base for the casserole.
- Creamy Fusion: Blend cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cottage cheese, and cream cheese into the cooked rice, creating a luxurious and smooth mixture.
- Seasoning Enhancement: Mix in onion powder and garlic powder to elevate the dish’s aromatic profile.
- Protein Integration: Gently fold pre-cooked chopped chicken throughout the creamy rice mixture, ensuring uniform distribution.
- Assembly: Pour the complete mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to create a consistent layer.
- Topping Layers: Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese across the surface, then crown with crispy French fried onions for a golden, crunchy finish.
- Baking Process: Place uncovered casserole in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, watching for bubbling edges and a beautifully bronzed top.
- Serving Preparation: Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes to allow the casserole to set and facilitate easier serving.
Notes
- Prep Shortcut: Use rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor without additional cooking.
- Cheese Tip: Experiment with different cheese blends like sharp cheddar or monterey jack for unique taste variations.
- Moisture Magic: Don’t overmix the ingredients to maintain a light, creamy texture and prevent a dense casserole.
- Crispy Topping Trick: Add fried onions during the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent burning and ensure maximum crunchiness.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg