“My mom made this recipe all the time when I was growing up and I have always loved it!

This Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole is a classic for a reason – it’s easy to make, incredibly comforting, and packed with flavor. The combination of tender chicken, fluffy rice, creamy celery soup, and melted cheddar cheese creates a satisfying one-dish meal that the whole family will love.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
2. Combine ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, cream of celery soup, and melted butter until well combined and smooth. Add the uncooked white rice, cubed chicken breasts, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme to the bowl. Stir everything together until the rice and chicken are evenly coated in the liquid mixture.
3. Pour into baking dish: Pour the rice and chicken mixture into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
4. Cover and bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This will trap the steam and help the rice cook evenly and the chicken stay tender. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and all the liquid has been absorbed, and the chicken is tender and cooked completely.
5. Add cheese and finish baking: Carefully remove the aluminum foil from the baking dish. Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheddar cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Rest and serve: Let the Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the casserole to set slightly. Enjoy this comforting and easy one-dish meal!