Description
Savory Italian chicken rice casserole delivers comfort with Mediterranean flavors and hearty ingredients. Creamy textures and robust seasonings promise a satisfying meal for families seeking delicious home-cooked dining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 to 8 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 ½ cups rice, long-grain white
- 3 cups chicken broth, low-sodium
- 1 14.5-oz (411 g) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and position a rack in the center for even cooking.
- Aromatics Establishment: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers until softened and fragrant, releasing their essential flavors.
- Rice Integration: Introduce rice to the skillet, toasting gently to enhance its nutty profile and create a robust base for the casserole.
- Liquid Foundation: Pour chicken broth into the skillet, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer and creating a flavorful cooking medium.
- Protein Seasoning and Placement: Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then arrange them strategically atop the rice mixture.
- Tomato Infusion: Pour undrained canned tomatoes over the chicken and rice, allowing their juices to permeate and enrich the dish’s overall flavor profile.
- Baking Process: Cover the skillet with foil and transfer to the preheated oven, baking for 35-40 minutes until chicken is thoroughly cooked and rice has absorbed all liquid.
- Cheese Finale: Uncover the casserole, sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly across the surface, and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to create a golden, melted topping.
- Serving Preparation: Let the casserole rest briefly to allow flavors to meld, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley before presenting to eager diners.
Notes
- Prep Like a Pro: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and balanced flavor distribution throughout the casserole.
- Seasoning Secret: Generously coat chicken with Italian seasoning and let it sit for 10 minutes before cooking to maximize flavor absorption.
- Liquid Matters: Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
- Cheese Tip: Choose fresh mozzarella for a creamier, more authentic melting experience that elevates the overall texture of the casserole.
- Prep Time: 15min
- Cook Time: 45min
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg