No-Peek Chicken Casserole: A Simple and Delicious Family Favorite
This No-Peek Chicken Casserole is the ultimate comfort food that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights, this easy chicken casserole recipe combines tender chicken, creamy sauce, and fluffy rice in one satisfying dish. Follow this step-by-step guide to create a meal your whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This No-Peek Chicken Casserole
This chicken and rice casserole is a classic for good reason. It’s:
- Incredibly easy to prepare with just 10 minutes of hands-on time
- Made with simple pantry staples
- A complete meal in one dish
- Perfect for meal prep and leftovers
- Crowd-pleasing comfort food at its best
Ingredients for No-Peek Chicken Casserole
This easy chicken casserole uses basic ingredients you probably already have:
- 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
How to Make No-Peek Chicken Casserole
Follow these simple steps for perfect chicken casserole with rice every time:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the uncooked rice evenly in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Place chicken breasts on top of the rice in a single layer.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together both cream soups, chicken broth, onion soup mix, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Pour the soup mixture evenly over the chicken and rice.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil (this is the “no-peek” part!).
- Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes without removing the foil.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips for the Best Chicken and Rice Casserole
For perfect results with this no-peek casserole recipe:
- Use long-grain white rice for best texture
- Don’t skip the foil – it creates steam for perfectly cooked rice
- For extra flavor, sprinkle paprika over the chicken before baking
- Let the casserole rest before serving to allow the sauce to thicken
Serving Suggestions
This hearty chicken casserole dish pairs well with:
- Steamed green beans or broccoli
- A crisp green salad
- Warm dinner rolls
- Roasted carrots or other root vegetables
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store leftover no-peek chicken casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the entire dish in a 350°F oven until heated through. Add a splash of broth if the rice seems dry when reheating.
No-Peek Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spread rice in 9×13 baking dish.
- Place chicken on rice.
- Whisk together remaining ingredients and pour over chicken.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice in this casserole?
For best results with this no-peek chicken casserole recipe, stick with white rice as brown rice requires more liquid and longer cooking time. If substituting, increase liquid by ½ cup and baking time by 20-30 minutes.
Can I make this casserole ahead?
Yes! Assemble the chicken and rice bake up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time when cooking from cold.
What can I use instead of cream soups?
For a homemade alternative, make a white sauce with butter, flour, and milk, then add chicken bouillon and sautéed mushrooms for flavor.
Final Thoughts
This No-Peek Chicken Casserole is the perfect solution for busy nights when you want a comforting, homemade meal without the fuss. With its simple preparation and foolproof cooking method, it’s sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation. The combination of tender chicken, flavorful rice, and creamy sauce makes this easy chicken and rice casserole a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
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No-Peek Chicken Casserole
Description
A comforting and easy-to-make chicken casserole that requires no peeking while baking, resulting in tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice every time. This family-friendly dish is packed with flavor and minimal effort.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- For the casserole:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup milk
- For seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For topping:
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust:
- 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- 2. In a large bowl, combine cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Mix well.
- 3. Stir in uncooked rice until fully coated with the soup mixture.
- 4. Spread the rice mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- 5. Arrange chicken pieces evenly over the rice mixture. Press down lightly to submerge chicken slightly.
- 6. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil, sealing all edges well.
- 7. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour 15 minutes. DO NOT PEEK during baking.
- 8. Remove from oven, carefully remove foil (watch for steam), and sprinkle with cheddar and parmesan cheeses.
- 9. Dot with butter pieces and return to oven, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- 10. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For variation, try adding 1 cup of frozen mixed vegetables with the rice mixture. Leftovers reheat well – add a splash of milk when reheating to maintain creaminess. The ‘no-peek’ rule is important as opening the oven releases steam needed to cook the rice properly.
