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Best Easy Chicken and Rice Bake Recipe

Name: Best Easy Chicken and Rice Bake Recipe
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 330 g
Ingredients: chicken breasts 1.5 lbs; long grain white rice 1 cup; yellow onion 1 medium; carrot 1 medium; celery stalk 2 pieces; low sodium chicken broth 2.5 cups; olive oil 2 tbsp; garlic powder 1 tsp; dried thyme 1 tsp; smoked paprika 0.5 tsp; black pepper 0.5 tsp; salt 1 tsp

One-dish chicken and rice bake combines tender chicken pieces with seasoned rice for an effortless family dinner. High in protein and incredibly comforting, this casserole is a weeknight lifesaver.

Cook 65 min Difficulty EASY 385 kcal

#high protein #comfort food #one dish meal #family dinner

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Ingredients

Main ingredients

chicken breasts 1.5 lbs
long grain white rice 1 cup
yellow onion 1 medium
carrot 1 medium
celery stalk 2 pieces
low sodium chicken broth 2.5 cups

Seasonings/Sauce

olive oil 2 tbsp
garlic powder 1 tsp
dried thyme 1 tsp
smoked paprika 0.5 tsp
black pepper 0.5 tsp
salt 1 tsp

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 39 g 41%

Protein 29 g 30%

Fat 11 g 29%

Serving size 330g

Cooking steps

1

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with 1 tbsp olive oil.
2

Dice the onion, carrot, and celery. Spread the chopped vegetables and uncooked rice evenly across the bottom of the baking dish.
3

Pour in the chicken broth, then add garlic powder, thyme, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir gently to combine and distribute seasonings throughout the rice and vegetables.
4

Cut chicken breasts into even pieces (about 2-inch chunks). Pat dry and toss with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, then arrange on top of the rice and vegetable mixture.
5

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil, return to the oven, and bake uncovered for another 15–20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through, the rice is tender, and most liquid has been absorbed. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What's the key ingredient that defines the flavor of this Chicken and Rice Bake?

The chicken breasts are the star of this dish, bringing a mild, juicy protein base that soaks up aromatic flavors from the onion, carrot, celery, and the savory seasoning blend. Olive oil helps develop a rich mouthfeel, while dried thyme and smoked paprika provide depth and warmth to the completed casserole.

Q. How should I control the baking time and heat to ensure both the chicken and rice are perfectly cooked?

Bake covered at 375°F for 40 minutes to lock in moisture and allow the rice to absorb the seasoned broth evenly. After uncovering for the last 15–20 minutes, heat helps evaporate excess liquid and lightly browns the chicken. Letting the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking ensures the rice fully absorbs the last of the broth and the chicken remains juicy.

Q. How can I prevent the rice from being undercooked or the chicken drying out?

Distribute rice and vegetables evenly before adding broth and layering chicken on top. Cover tightly with foil for most of the baking time so the rice cooks through via steaming. Uncover only at the end to finish drying up excess liquid—this helps avoid dry chicken and ensures the rice is tender, not crunchy.

Q. How many calories and how much protein does each serving provide?

Each 330g serving contains approximately 385 kcal, with about 29g of protein per serving. The protein-to-carb calorie ratio is roughly 30% protein to 41% carbs, making this a hearty and filling dinner option.

Best Easy Chicken and Rice Bake Recipe

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