Herb-Infused Chicken and Rice Casserole

Name: Herb-Infused Chicken and Rice Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cubed; 2 cups jasmine rice; 4 cups chicken broth; 1 cup frozen peas; 1 cup baby carrots, sliced; 1 onion, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

🕒 Prep: 15 min

🔥 Cook: 40 min

🍽 Serves: 6

★★★★★

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Welcome to a dinner delight that’s both comforting and refreshing—our Herb-Infused Chicken and Rice Casserole. This dish combines the aromatic flavors of herbs with tender chicken and fluffy rice, making it a perfect choice for a cozy family meal or a potluck gathering.

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Ingredients for Herb-Infused Chicken and Rice Casserole

Chicken breast is lean and absorbs the herbs beautifully, giving you juicy bites in every forkful. Jasmine rice adds a subtle floral aroma that complements the herbs and chicken broth. Chicken broth enhances the savory depth of the casserole, making it more flavorful. Frozen peas and baby carrots bring color and a touch of sweetness, while onion adds a foundational savory note. Garlic elevates the overall taste with its aromatic punch. The olive oil helps sauté the veggies and chicken to perfection.

For seasoning, thyme and oregano offer earthy, herbaceous notes, while black pepper and salt provide the necessary seasoning balance. Fresh parsley adds a finishing touch with its fresh, vibrant taste, and Parmesan cheese gives a lovely salty, nutty finish.

Tips & Tricks

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in some olive oil, garlic, and herbs for a few hours before cooking.
If you prefer a creamier texture, stir in a splash of cream or a dollop of sour cream before serving.
Use a heavy-duty foil to cover the dish tightly, ensuring no steam escapes during baking.

Serving Suggestions

This casserole is hearty enough to stand alone, but it pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or some crusty bread to soak up all those delicious juices. For a touch of acidity, serve with a wedge of lemon on the side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use brown rice instead of jasmine rice?: Yes, but you'll need to adjust the cooking time and liquid as brown rice takes longer to cook.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?: Absolutely! Prepare the casserole, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add an additional 10 minutes to the covered baking time.
What if I don't have fresh parsley?: Dried parsley can work in a pinch, but use it sparingly as it's more potent than fresh.

Herb-Infused Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe Walkthrough

First things first, let's get that oven warming up to 375°F. This gives us time to prep without rushing. Grab a large skillet and heat up the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the onions and sauté them until they're just turning translucent—this should take about 3 to 4 minutes. Next, add the garlic and chicken pieces. Cook until the chicken is browned on all sides, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Once your chicken is nicely browned, it's time to stir in the rice, chicken broth, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together, making sure the rice is evenly distributed and well-coated in the broth and seasonings.

Transfer this mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover it tightly with foil to lock in the moisture and flavors, then pop it in the oven for 25 minutes. This is when the magic happens—the rice absorbs all those delicious flavors!

After 25 minutes, carefully remove the foil (watch out for steam!) and gently stir in the peas and carrots. Return the dish, uncovered, to the oven for another 15 minutes. This final bake allows the rice to become tender and ensures the liquid is fully absorbed.

Once done, give it a generous topping of parsley and Parmesan cheese right before serving. This final touch adds freshness and a burst of flavor that ties everything together beautifully.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Simple, wholesome ingredients that are easy to find.
One-pan convenience for less cleanup and more enjoyment.
The perfect balance of creamy, savory, and herby flavors.
Adaptable to what you have in your pantry or fridge.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs chicken breast, cubed

2 cups jasmine rice

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup frozen peas

1 cup baby carrots, sliced

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté onions until translucent.

3. Add garlic and chicken; cook until chicken is browned.

4. Stir in rice, chicken broth, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.

5. Transfer mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.

6. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

7. Remove foil, add peas and carrots, and stir gently.

8. Bake uncovered for another 15 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

9. Top with parsley and Parmesan cheese before serving.

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