Description
Chicken Rice Feta Casserole brings comfort straight from your kitchen to the dinner table, melding tender chicken, fluffy rice, and tangy feta into one satisfying meal. Creamy and hearty, this dish delivers warmth and flavor that makes your family smile with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Grains:
- 300 g cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 200 g long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 100 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 150 g feta cheese, crumbled
Creamy and Vegetable Components:
- 240 ml whole milk
- 120 ml sour cream
- 475 ml chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 150 g baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
Seasonings and Optional Extras:
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 25 g breadcrumbs (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 375°F. Generously coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sizzle chopped onion and bell pepper in 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes until they soften and release their sweet aroma.
- Toss minced garlic into the skillet and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add baby spinach and cook until it collapses and turns deep green.
- Grab a large mixing bowl and combine 1.5 cups shredded chicken, 1 cup uncooked rice, sautéed vegetables, ¾ cup crumbled feta, 1 cup mozzarella, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Whisk 1 cup whole milk, ½ cup sour cream, and 2 cups chicken broth in a separate bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Pour liquid mixture over your chicken and rice blend, stirring until everything is thoroughly moistened and integrated.
- Spread the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
- Optional: Sprinkle ¼ cup breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tablespoon olive oil across the top for extra crunch.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for 15 more minutes until the surface turns golden and edges bubble enthusiastically.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and texture to firm up.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-packaged for better melting and more authentic flavor.
- Choose short-grain rice like Arborio for a creamier texture that absorbs liquid more effectively.
- For a gluten-free version, replace breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond meal.
- Swap chicken with rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor complexity to the casserole.
- Prep Time: 10-12 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 376 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg