Description
This Creamy Angel Chicken Rice Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish perfect for busy weeknights. Combining tender shredded chicken, cooked rice, and a creamy mixture of sour cream and cream of chicken soup, it is baked to golden perfection with a crunchy buttery cracker topping. This casserole delivers rich flavors and makes a satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie works well)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella)
For the Topping:
- ½ cup crushed crackers (like Ritz)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature by the time you’re ready to bake the casserole.
- Prepare Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish to prevent the casserole from sticking during baking.
- Mix Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Rice and Chicken: Stir in the cooked rice and shredded chicken into the creamy mixture, mixing thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the combined mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole to ensure a gooey cheesy layer when baked.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed crackers with melted butter until evenly coated, then sprinkle this mixture over the cheese layer for a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes after baking to allow it to set and make serving easier. Enjoy your creamy, comforting meal!
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken can save time and add extra flavor.
- You can substitute the crackers topping with breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes for different textures.
- For a lighter version, consider using low-fat sour cream and reduced-fat cheese.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
- Feel free to add vegetables like peas or mushrooms for added nutrition and flavor.
