Quick Saucy Chicken Casserole

Perfect for busy weeknights, this Quick Saucy Chicken Casserole combines tender, golden-seared chicken breasts with a rich and creamy vegetable sauce, all baked to perfection over a bed of fluffy rice. Featuring wholesome ingredients like carrots, peas, and a velvety blend of cream of mushroom soup and chicken broth, this comforting dish is elevated with a touch of dried thyme and topped with gooey melted cheddar cheese. Ready in just 50 minutes, this one-pan meal is as easy to prepare as it is satisfying. Serve it straight from the oven with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for an effortless, cozy dinner that the whole family will love. This casserole recipe is ideal for those seeking simple yet flavor-packed chicken dinner ideas!

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 3 cups cooked white or brown rice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Season the chicken breasts on both sides with a pinch of salt and pepper, then sear them in the skillet until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. The chicken doesn't need to be fully cooked at this stage. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the chopped onion, garlic, and carrots. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.

Step 5

Stir in the peas, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 6

Spread the cooked rice evenly in the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole dish.

Step 7

Place the seared chicken breasts on top of the rice, then pour the creamy vegetable sauce over the chicken and rice, spreading it out evenly.

Step 8

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.

Step 9

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the chicken is fully cooked (an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C).

Step 10

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 11

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2306.3 grams (2306.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2649

Total Fat 67.40g	86%
Saturated Fat 15.50g	78%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.20g
Cholesterol 604mg	201%
Sodium 4664mg	203%
Total Carbohydrate 239.50g	87%
Dietary Fiber 18.10g	65%
Total Sugars 29.90g
Protein 254.40g	509%

Vitamin D 92IU	462%
Calcium 504mg	39%
Iron 18mg	101%
Potassium 3623mg	77%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 23.5%

Protein: 39.4%

Carbs: 37.1%