Adapted from recipe at Pilsbury.com
Serves 4
For the casserole:
- 14 oz chicken tenders, cut into bite-size pieces (I use 16 oz)
- 1 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice (for brown rice see below)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups (6oz) packed shredded cheddar cheese
For the topping:
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 cup regular or gluten free panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup (2 oz) packed shredded cheddar cheese
- Pre-heat oven to 375°F.
- Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.
- In baking dish, mix chicken, rice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chicken broth and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese until well mixed.
- Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Sprinkle topping mixture evenly over rice mixture. Broil (watching constantly) for about 3 minutes, or until crumbs are light golden brown.
- Meanwhile, In small bowl, mix melted butter and bread crumbs until well mixed. Mix in cheddar cheese; Set aside.
640 Calories, 29g Total Fat, 41g Protein, 53g Total Carbohydrate, 1g Sugars
Brown Rice Version
Serves 4 (see below for larger size)
- 1 pound chicken tenders, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 medium clove garlic, minced
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I use Trader Joe’s Shredded Mexican Blend)
- For the topping:
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup panko break crumbs (GF panko works great)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Pre-heat oven to 375-F.
- Rinse 1 cup uncooked brown rice (I prefer short grain). Cook with 1 3/4 cup chicken broth for 30 minutes; allow rice to cool.
- In a small bowl mix together ingredients for topping; set aside.
- In a 2 quart baking dish, add chicken, rice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chicken broth and 1 1/2 cups of cheese; mix well.
- Bake 30 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Remove from oven and set oven to broil.
- Sprinkle the cheese/bread crumb mixture evenly over the top. Broil about about 2 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.
- Allow to cool 10 minutes.
For 6 servings (perfect for 13×9 inch baking dish)
- 1½ lbs chicken tenders, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4½ cups partially or fully cooked short-grain brown rice (see instructions)
- 3 tbsp butter
- ¾ cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- 1½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1/4+1/8 tsp garlic powder or 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 1½ cups + 2 tbsp chicken broth
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Pre-heat oven to 375°F.
- Rinse 1½ cups uncooked brown rice (I prefer short grain). Cook with 2½ cups chicken broth for 30 minutes. Allow to cool.
- In small bowl, mix melted butter and bread crumbs; add 3/4 cup of the cheese until well mixed. Set aside.
- In a 13x9x2 inch baking dish, mix chicken, rice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chicken broth and remaining cheese until well mixed.
- Bake 30 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Remove from oven and set the oven to broil.
- Sprinkle the cheese/bread crumb mixture evenly over rice the casserole. Broil about 2-3 minutes or until the topping is golden brown.
- Sprinkle with parsley.
Crunchy Cheddar Chicken & Brown Rice Casserole
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