Easy & Delicious Ina Garten Chicken And Rice Casserole Recipe

A soul-warming Ina Garten chicken and rice casserole represents the ultimate comfort food for families seeking a delicious one-dish meal.

Creamy textures and savory flavors meld together in this classic recipe that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Home cooks love how effortlessly these components blend into a harmonious dish that feels both rustic and refined.

Tender protein, fluffy grains, and vibrant vegetables create a balanced nutritional profile that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds.

Each carefully combined ingredient contributes its unique character to the overall culinary experience.

The recipe balances richness with subtle herb-infused notes that elevate it beyond standard weeknight fare.

Rich, comforting, and deeply satisfying, this casserole promises a memorable dining experience that brings people together around the table: prepare to fall in love with every single bite.

What Makes Ina Garten’s Chicken and Rice Casserole Comfort in a Dish

• Crack Open Comfort: This casserole delivers ultimate cozy vibes with its warm, cheesy embrace that feels like a hug from grandma's kitchen, packed with tender chicken and perfectly cooked rice.
• Speedy Weeknight Winner: Prepared in just 40 minutes, this one-skillet wonder transforms simple ingredients into a delicious meal without complicated techniques or hours of cooking, making it perfect for busy families.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Loaded with two incredible cheeses – creamy Havarti and sharp Parmesan – the dish creates a melty, golden topping that transforms ordinary ingredients into an irresistible culinary experience that'll have everyone asking for seconds.
• Veggie-Packed Nutrition Boost: Broccoli and tomatoes sneak extra nutrients into this hearty meal, ensuring you're getting delicious flavor alongside wholesome ingredients that make dinner both tasty and balanced.

What You’ll Need for Ina Garten’s Chicken and Rice Casserole

• Shredded Chicken: Tender protein that provides the main body of the casserole, preferably from roasted or rotisserie chicken for maximum flavor.

• Sour Cream, Havarti Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy ingredients that add richness, tanginess, and help create a smooth, melty texture for the casserole.

• Garlic, Scallions: Aromatic ingredients that provide deep, layered flavor and fresh brightness to the dish.
• Broccoli Florets: Nutritious green vegetable that adds color, texture, and subtle earthy taste to the casserole.
• Tomato: Fresh ingredient that brings a slight acidity and moisture to the overall dish.

• White Rice: Foundational grain that absorbs flavors and provides a hearty base for the casserole.
• Chicken Broth: Liquid component that helps cook the rice and adds depth of flavor to the entire dish.
• Butter: Helps sauté aromatics and provides a rich, smooth base for cooking.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the casserole.

Step-by-Step Guide to Ina Garten’s Chicken and Rice Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up the Kitchen

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Take a large ovenproof skillet and melt of butter over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and most of the chopped scallions, sautéing until they become soft and release their aromatic flavors.

Step 2: Combine Hearty Ingredients

• Broccoli florets
• Shredded cooked chicken
• White rice
• 1 chopped tomato
• Salt and pepper to taste

Stir everything together until well mixed and evenly distributed.

Step 3: Create Creamy Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Sour cream

Blend until smooth and pour into the skillet. Stir until the mixture begins to simmer gently.

Step 4: Add Cheesy Goodness

• Diced Havarti cheese
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Stir to incorporate the cheese throughout the skillet.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Cover the skillet tightly with a lid or aluminum foil. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the rice becomes tender and fully cooked.

Step 6: Crisp and Serve

Turn on the broiler. Scatter the remaining Havarti and Parmesan cheeses over the top of the casserole. Broil until the cheese turns golden and starts bubbling. Garnish with the reserved scallions before serving hot and fresh from the skillet.

Pro Tips for Ina Garten’s Chicken and Rice Casserole

• Repurpose Chicken Smartly: Transform leftover roasted or grilled chicken into a delicious casserole base, cutting down on cooking time and reducing food waste.
• Customize Flavor Profile: Experiment with different herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley to elevate the dish's taste and add a personal touch to the classic recipe.
• Boost Nutritional Value: Incorporate colorful vegetables such as diced zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms to increase the meal's vitamin and mineral content.
• Lighten the Dish: Swap full-fat dairy products with Greek yogurt or light cream cheese for a healthier version that doesn't sacrifice rich, creamy texture.
• Stretch Your Budget: Use affordable rice varieties like brown or long-grain rice to make the casserole more economical without compromising on flavor or satisfaction.

How to Store Ina Garten’s Chicken and Rice Casserole

• Vacuum Seal Method: Extract air completely using a vacuum sealer to prevent freezer burn and preserve flavor. Seal individual portions in vacuum-bags, creating an airtight environment that locks in moisture and prevents texture degradation.
• Glass Container Method: Transfer cooled casserole into high-quality, thick-walled glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Stack containers strategically to maximize refrigerator space, ensuring each portion remains protected from potential contamination.
• Flash Freeze Technique: Spread casserole on a parchment-lined baking sheet, freezing for 1-2 hours before transferring to freezer bags. This prevents large ice crystals from forming, maintains original texture, and allows easy portioning for future meals.

Creative Twists on Ina Garten’s Chicken and Rice Casserole

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Fusion: Replace broccoli with roasted corn and bell peppers, add diced green chiles, and swap Havarti for pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Substitute white rice with quinoa, incorporate chopped kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh oregano to create a Mediterranean-inspired version with lighter, brighter ingredients.
• Autumn Harvest Comfort: Switch chicken with roasted turkey, add diced butternut squash instead of tomatoes, use gruyere cheese, and sprinkle sage leaves for a cozy, seasonal alternative that captures fall's warmth.
• Protein-Packed Vegetarian Option: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, use cauliflower rice instead of white rice, add nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor, and include spinach and mushrooms for extra nutrition and hearty texture.

Ina Garten’s Chicken and Rice Casserole: A Hearty Family Meal

Comfort cuisine reaches new heights with Ina Garten’s chicken and rice casserole, blending rustic charm and gourmet finesse.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients create a symphony of flavors that dance across palates with remarkable depth.

Hearty chicken, melted cheeses, and perfectly cooked rice establish a culinary masterpiece that transcends ordinary weeknight meals.

Havarti and Parmesan cheeses meld seamlessly, offering rich, creamy textures that elevate each forkful.

Home cooks can easily recreate this restaurant-quality dish with simple techniques and accessible ingredients.

Savor this luxurious creation, share its magic with friends, snap a tantalizing photo, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms – because extraordinary meals deserve extraordinary celebration.

Ina Garten Chicken And Rice Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets elegance in Ina Garten’s chicken and rice casserole, a classic dish that whispers warmth and home. French-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a creamy, satisfying meal you’ll savor with each comforting bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Meat:

• 2 cups (about 340 grams) shredded rotisserie chicken (skin removed)

Grains and Base:

• 1 cup (200 grams) medium-grain white rice
• 2 cups (470 milliliters) low-sodium chicken broth

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 cups (170 grams) broccoli florets
• 4 scallions, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 plum tomato, chopped

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 cup (115 grams) diced dill Havarti cheese (about 4 ounces)
• ¼ cup (25 grams) grated parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce)
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) sour cream
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) unsalted butter

Seasonings:

• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 425°F (218°C). In a large, ovenproof skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic and most of the chopped scallions until they become aromatic and softened, approximately 2-3 minutes.
2. Incorporate broccoli florets, shredded chicken, cooked white rice, diced tomatoes, salt, and black pepper into the skillet. Gently stir the ingredients to ensure even distribution and thorough mixing.
3. Create a creamy sauce by whisking chicken broth and sour cream in a separate mixing bowl until completely smooth and well blended. Pour the liquid mixture into the skillet and stir, allowing the contents to reach a gentle simmer.
4. Fold in half of the diced Havarti and grated Parmesan cheeses, stirring to integrate the cheese throughout the mixture. Securely cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid or aluminum foil.
5. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the rice becomes tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed. Verify the rice’s doneness by testing a small portion.
6. Activate the broiler setting. Sprinkle the remaining Havarti and Parmesan cheeses across the casserole’s surface. Broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to achieve a golden, bubbling cheese topping without burning.
7. Remove from the oven and garnish with the reserved scallion pieces. Allow the casserole to rest for 3-4 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and the dish to slightly cool.

Notes

• Skip the takeout and dive into a home-cooked comfort feast that rivals any restaurant dish.
• Rotisserie chicken transforms this recipe into a lightning-fast weeknight dinner solution.
• Meal preppers will love how beautifully this casserole stores and reheats for future lunches.
• Seasonal vegetable swaps keep the recipe exciting and connected to what’s fresh at the market.
• Cheese lovers rejoice – the Havarti and Parmesan combination creates a mouthwatering golden crust that’s seriously irresistible.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking, Broiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg