Description
Creamy Cream Cheese Chicken & Rice is a comforting baked casserole made with tender chicken, fluffy rice, rich cream cheese, and melted Colby Jack cheese. This dish delivers a smooth, savory texture with balanced seasoning and a cozy homemade flavor that works perfectly for family dinners or make ahead meals.
Ingredients
Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese softened and cubed eight ounces
Unsalted butter softened and cubed half cup
Cooked chicken diced or shredded three cups
Cooked rice using wild and white rice blend three cups
Cream of chicken soup one and one quarter cups
Fresh garlic minced three cloves
Good Seasons Dry Italian Dressing Mix one packet zero point seven ounce
Chicken broth one cup
Tillamook Farmstyle Colby Jack Shredded Cheese two and one half cups divided
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley finely chopped for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit and generously coat a nine by thirteen inch casserole dish with cooking spray
2. In a mixing bowl whisk the softened cream cheese with the butter until completely smooth and creamy
3. In a large bowl combine cooked chicken cooked rice cream of chicken soup garlic Italian dressing mix chicken broth and the cream cheese mixture until evenly blended
4. Fold in half of the shredded Colby Jack cheese and season with salt and black pepper to taste
5. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish and smooth the top
6. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the surface
7. Lightly coat aluminum foil with cooking spray and cover the casserole with the coated side facing down
8. Bake in the oven until hot and bubbly removing the foil partway through so the cheese can melt and lightly brown
9. Remove from the oven let rest briefly then garnish with fresh parsley before serving
Notes
For best results allow the cream cheese and butter to soften fully before mixing to ensure a smooth sauce
Using a blend of wild rice and white rice adds texture and depth but all white rice also works well
Taste the mixture before baking and adjust seasoning carefully since the soup and cheese already contain salt
Letting the casserole rest after baking helps it set and makes serving easier
Leftovers reheat well and can be stored in the refrigerator for several days
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American