GARLIC BUTTER CHICKEN HEAVEN

Ever crave a dish that’s comforting, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make? One that the whole family will devour? Then get ready, because this Irresistible Garlic Butter Chicken Rice Casserole is about to become your new go-to dinner! Imagine tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a luscious garlic butter sauce all baked together to golden-brown perfection. Trust me, you’re just a few simple steps away from a weeknight dinner win!

Gathering Your Heavenly Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece. Don’t worry, most of these are pantry staples!

For the Chicken:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika

For the Rice:

• 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
• 2 cups chicken broth

For the Garlic Butter Sauce:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick!)

For the Casserole:

• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Step-by-Step to Comfort Food Bliss

Let’s get cooking! This recipe is surprisingly simple, I promise you can do it. We’re breaking it down into easy-to-follow steps. Get ready for deliciousness!

Preparing the Chicken:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until evenly coated.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides, but not fully cooked through. The chicken will finish cooking in the oven. This step just adds color and flavor!

Cooking the Rice:

1. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine the uncooked rice and chicken broth. Give it a good stir.

Making the Garlic Butter Sauce:

1. While the chicken is browning and the rice is waiting patiently, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic! Burnt garlic is no fun.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chopped parsley, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes (if using).

Assembling the Casserole:

1. Pour the garlic butter sauce over the rice in the baking dish. Stir well to combine.
2. Arrange the browned chicken pieces evenly over the rice.
3. Sprinkle the frozen peas over the chicken.
4. Top with the shredded mozzarella cheese.

Baking to Golden Perfection:

1. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
2. Bake for 30 minutes.
3. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
4. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the rice to absorb any remaining liquid and the flavors to meld together.

Why This Casserole is Simply the Best

Okay, so you might be thinking, “What makes this casserole so special?” Well, let me tell you! It’s all about the combination of flavors and textures. The garlic butter sauce is rich and savory, the rice is perfectly cooked, and the chicken is tender and juicy. Plus, the peas add a touch of sweetness and freshness, and the mozzarella cheese creates a gooey, cheesy top layer that everyone will love. It’s seriously addictive!

Tips and Tricks for Casserole Success

Even though this recipe is straightforward, here are a few tips to ensure your casserole turns out perfectly every time:

• Don’t overcook the chicken. Remember, it will continue to cook in the oven, so you only need to brown it in the skillet. Overcooked chicken will be dry and tough.
• Use good-quality chicken broth. The chicken broth is the base of the rice, so using a flavorful broth will make a big difference.
• Adjust the garlic to your liking. If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to add more! But be careful not to overdo it.
• Don’t skip the resting time. Letting the casserole rest before serving allows the flavors to meld together and the rice to absorb any remaining liquid.
• Customize it! Feel free to add other vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, or bell peppers. You can also use different types of cheese, such as cheddar or Monterey Jack.

Variations to Keep Things Exciting

Want to switch things up a bit? Here are a few variations to try:

• Spicy Garlic Butter Chicken Rice Casserole: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the garlic butter sauce for a little extra heat.
• Mushroom Garlic Butter Chicken Rice Casserole: Sauté some sliced mushrooms with the garlic before adding the butter.
• Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rice Casserole: Stir in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or sour cream to the garlic butter sauce for an extra creamy texture.

Serving Suggestions That Complete the Meal

This Irresistible Garlic Butter Chicken Rice Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but if you’re looking to add a side dish, here are a few suggestions:

• A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing
• Steamed broccoli or green beans
• Garlic bread

Similar Recipes You’ll Absolutely Adore

If you love this casserole, then you should definitely check out these other delicious chicken recipes. For a flavor explosion, try the CREAMY GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN. If you’re looking for another creamy casserole, the CREAMY DREAMY CHICKEN CASSEROLE is a must-try. Craving something tropical? Give the HAWAIIAN CHICKEN BAKE a shot! For a pasta dish, you can’t go wrong with GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN PASTA. Or, for a super easy weeknight dinner, try Chicken Tortellini. Looking for a slow cooker option? Check out Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Potatoes. There’s something for everyone!

Storing and Reheating Leftovers (If There Are Any!)

In the unlikely event that you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply microwave until heated through, or bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth to the casserole before reheating to prevent it from drying out.

So there you have it – my Irresistible Garlic Butter Chicken Rice Casserole! It’s a hug in a dish, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. I hope you love it as much as my family does. Happy cooking!

Garlic Butter Chicken Rice Casserole Heaven

Amelia Chen-Morrison

This Irresistible Garlic Butter Chicken Rice Casserole is a comforting and flavorful dish that’s surprisingly easy to make. Tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a luscious garlic butter sauce are baked together to golden-brown perfection for a weeknight dinner win.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 550 kcal

Equipment

• Large bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Large skillet
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Small saucepan
• Stirring spoon
• Aluminum foil
• Oven
• Knife
• Cutting board

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp paprika
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes optional
• 1 cup frozen peas
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until evenly coated.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides, but not fully cooked through. This step just adds color and flavor!
• In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine the uncooked rice and chicken broth. Give it a good stir.
• While the chicken is browning and the rice is waiting patiently, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the chopped parsley, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes (if using).
• Pour the garlic butter sauce over the rice in the baking dish. Stir well to combine.
• Arrange the browned chicken pieces evenly over the rice.
• Sprinkle the frozen peas over the chicken.
• Top with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
• Bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
• Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the rice to absorb any remaining liquid and the flavors to meld together.

Notes

For best results, use a high-quality chicken broth to enhance the flavor of the rice. Don’t overcook the chicken in the skillet, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Add a splash of chicken broth when reheating to prevent drying. For a creamier sauce, stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream or sour cream after removing the garlic butter sauce from the heat.