Description
This Italian Chicken Rice Casserole is a comforting and flavorful one-pan dish combining tender chicken thighs with aromatic vegetables, savory rice, and melted mozzarella cheese. Baked to perfection, it features a gentle mix of Italian seasoning and juicy diced tomatoes for a rich, hearty meal that’s perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice & Broth
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
Chicken & Seasonings
- 6 to 8 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Assemble all ingredients for convenient cooking.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic, diced onion, and red bell pepper and sauté until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Toast Rice: Add the long-grain white rice to the skillet and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, to lightly toast the rice for 2 minutes, enhancing its nutty flavor.
- Add Broth: Pour in low-sodium chicken broth, gently stirring to combine rice and vegetables. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer.
- Season Chicken: Season the bone-in, skinless chicken thighs with salt, black pepper, and dried Italian seasoning. Nestle the chicken thighs evenly into the rice mixture in the skillet.
- Add Tomatoes: Pour the undrained canned diced tomatoes over the chicken and rice, incorporating the juices to enrich the dish.
- Bake Covered: Cover the skillet with foil or a lid and bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked through and the rice has absorbed the liquid.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top, then return uncovered to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese and develop a golden color.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to add a fresh finish.
Notes
- For best results, use bone-in, skinless chicken thighs as they remain moist during baking.
- Low-sodium chicken broth helps control saltiness but can be substituted with regular broth if preferred.
- You can substitute mozzarella with other melting cheeses like provolone or fontina for different flavors.
- Covering during baking keeps the chicken moist and allows the rice to cook evenly.
- Let the casserole rest after baking to let flavors meld and make it easier to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
