Description
This comforting Butter Chicken and Rice casserole combines tender, seasoned chicken thighs baked over a savory mixture of long grain rice, French onion soup, and beef consommé. The dish is enriched with butter and Parmesan cheese, baked to perfection for a creamy, flavorful one-pan meal that’s perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Rice Mixture
- 2 cups long grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 can French onion soup (10 oz)
- 2 cans beef consommé (10 oz each)
- 1 stick butter (chopped into 8 pieces)
- 3/4 cup Parmesan or pecorino Romano cheese (grated, divided)
Chicken
- 2 lbs chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the dish.
- Mix Rice and Liquids: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine the uncooked rice with the beef consommé and French onion soup, stirring well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Add Butter and Cheese: Place the chopped butter pieces evenly over the rice mixture, then sprinkle most of the grated cheese on top, reserving about 1/4 cup for later use.
- Season Chicken: In a separate bowl or on a plate, season the chicken thighs with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to give them a flavorful crust.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken thighs evenly over the rice and liquid mixture in the baking dish. Then sprinkle the remaining reserved cheese on top of the chicken.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture and bake for 55 minutes, allowing the rice to cook fully and the chicken to bake through.
- Uncover and Brown: After 55 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the rice is tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving to add a fresh burst of color and flavor.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for best results as they stay tender and juicy.
- If you prefer a stronger onion flavor, add a little extra French onion soup or garnish with caramelized onions.
- For a creamier texture, you can mix some heavy cream into the consommé before adding to the rice.
- Make sure to cover the dish tightly with foil for the first part of baking to avoid drying out the rice and chicken.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead and refrigerated; bake just before serving adding extra time if baking from cold.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American