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An overhead close-up shot of the healthy chicken and rice bake, showing the creamy texture of the rice and tender pieces of chicken.

Healthy Chicken and Rice Casserole (Easy & Creamy!)

This Healthy Chicken and Rice Casserole is a creamy, savory, and satisfying dish packed with lean protein and whole ingredients. A perfect one-pan weeknight dinner that the whole family will love, made without any heavy cream or canned soup.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 large Yellow Onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1.5 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1.5 cups Long-Grain White Rice uncooked
  • 3 cups Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
  • 1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt full-fat or low-fat
  • 1 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Rosemary
  • 1/2 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper freshly ground
  • 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Mixing Bowl

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cubed chicken, uncooked rice, chicken broth, Greek yogurt, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Add the cooked onion and garlic mixture. Stir everything together until well combined.
  4. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
  5. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
  6. Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top, and return to the oven, uncovered. Bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the rice is tender, the chicken is cooked through, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley and serving.

Notes

Brown Rice Variation: To use brown rice, increase the chicken broth to 3.5 cups and increase the initial covered baking time to 50-55 minutes before adding the cheese.
Add Veggies: Feel free to stir in 1-2 cups of chopped broccoli, mushrooms, or a mix of frozen peas and carrots with the rice and chicken mixture before baking.