One Pot Angel Chicken Rice Bake (Print version)

Creamy chicken and rice casserole with tender poultry in rich savory sauce, all baked together in one pot.

# Ingredient List:

→ Poultry

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

→ Rice & Grains

02 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked

→ Dairy

03 - 1 cup heavy cream
04 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Broth & Sauces

07 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 1 packet (1 oz) dry Italian dressing seasoning mix
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Vegetables

10 - 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
11 - 1 cup fresh baby spinach

→ Spices & Herbs

12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
14 - 1/4 tsp dried thyme
15 - 1/4 tsp paprika

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F.
02 - In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
03 - Stir in the rice and toast for 2 minutes, ensuring it is coated in butter and aromatics.
04 - Add chicken broth, heavy cream, cream cheese, Parmesan, Italian dressing seasoning, salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika. Stir until the cream cheese melts and the mixture is combined.
05 - Arrange the chicken breasts over the rice mixture. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken. If using, add baby spinach by tucking it into the sides.
06 - Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid or aluminum foil. Bake for 40 minutes.
07 - Uncover, check that the rice is tender and the chicken cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). If needed, bake 5–10 minutes longer. Optionally, broil for 2 minutes to brown the top.
08 - Let the dish rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pot, which means you can clean the kitchen while it bakes instead of facing a sink full of dishes afterward
  • The rice absorbs all that savory sauce and comes out impossibly creamy without any stirring or babysitting
  • The chicken stays juicy because it cooks right on top of the rice, basting in all those flavorful juices
02 -
  • The rice continues absorbing liquid while resting, so if it looks a tiny bit saucy when you first uncover it, that's actually perfect
  • That Italian seasoning packet already has salt, so taste before you add the extra salt called for in the recipe
  • If your chicken breasts are massive thick ones, slice them in half horizontally or they'll finish cooking before the rice is done
03 -
  • Sprinkle a little extra Parmesan on top during the last 5 minutes of baking for a cheesy golden crust
  • If the pot looks too full when you start, use a larger one or reduce everything by one quarter
  • Leftovers reheat surprisingly well, add a splash of broth or cream when warming it up

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