Description
This baked creamy ranch chicken and rice casserole is a cozy, no-fuss comfort dinner made with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a rich ranch-seasoned cream sauce. It’s an easy one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or relaxed weekends at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2½ cups chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup frozen peas or mixed vegetables (optional)
- ½ cup cooked bacon bits (optional)
- Chopped green onions or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Spread uncooked rice evenly across the bottom of the dish.
- Pour chicken broth over the rice, ensuring it is evenly covered.
- In a large bowl, mix cream of chicken soup, sour cream, ranch seasoning, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Add chicken pieces to the sauce and stir until fully coated.
- Spoon the chicken mixture evenly over the rice without stirring.
- Sprinkle vegetables or bacon on top if using.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove foil, add cheddar and mozzarella cheese, and return to oven uncovered.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until cheese melts and turns lightly golden.
- Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving and garnish if desired.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, replace ½ cup of broth with milk or heavy cream.
- Brown rice requires extra liquid and longer baking time.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
- This casserole reheats well and tastes even better the next day.
- Add cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños for gentle heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 115mg