Comforting French Onion Chicken Rice Bake Recipe
This Comforting French Onion Chicken Rice Bake is a hearty and delicious casserole combining tender shredded chicken, creamy soups, cooked rice, and a crispy French fried onion topping. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it offers a rich and flavorful blend of cheesy, savory, and slightly sweet onion notes baked to perfection.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked white rice (Substitute with brown rice for nuttiness.)
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (Use rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey.)
- 1 can cream of chicken soup (Low-sodium or homemade alternatives.)
- 1 can French onion soup
- 1 cup sour cream (Dairy-free yogurt can be used.)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (Mozzarella or Swiss) (Mozzarella for milder taste, Swiss for nuttier.)
- 1 cup French fried onions (Divide for topping and inside the casserole.)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley (For garnish.)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a large mixing bowl for combining ingredients.
- Combine Ingredients: In the mixing bowl, add the cooked rice, shredded cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, French onion soup, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Incorporate 1 cup of French fried onions along with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything thoroughly to achieve a uniform mixture.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Transfer the mixed casserole ingredients into the dish and spread evenly for uniform cooking.
- Bake Initially: Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until the edges are bubbling, indicating it is heated through and starting to set.
- Add Topping: Remove the casserole from the oven briefly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of French fried onions on top evenly for a crispy finish.
- Final Bake: Return the casserole to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to allow the topping to crisp up nicely.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving warm.
Notes
- For a healthier option, substitute white rice with brown rice to add more fiber and nuttiness.
- Use low-sodium or homemade soups to control salt content.
- Dairy-free sour cream alternatives can be used to make this recipe lactose-free.
- Leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken works best for quick preparation.
- To add extra crunch, you can sprinkle additional French fried onions before serving.
- Ensure the casserole is baked uncovered to allow the topping to crisp properly.
Keywords: French onion chicken casserole, chicken rice bake, comfort food, easy chicken bake, casserole recipes
