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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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