Chicken, Rice, & Mushroom Casserole

Time :1 hour
Yield :6 servings

Recipe Background

Chicken, Rice, & Mushroom Casserole is like the risotto of your dreams in bubbly baked form. The tender, beefy, hearty mushrooms and the creamy, savory rice already make for a delightful dish all on their own, but then you throw in some succulent chicken and melty cheese? Mmmm, nothing else compares! Chicken, Rice, & Mushroom Casserole is home cooking with lots of comfort piled on, and sometimes that's just what the doctor ordered!
Chicken, Rice, & Mushroom Casserole is like the risotto of your dreams in bubbly baked form. The tender, beefy, hearty mushrooms and the creamy, savory rice already make for a delightful dish all on their own, but then you throw in some succulent chicken and melty cheese? Mmmm, nothing else compares! Chicken, Rice, & Mushroom Casserole is home cooking with lots of comfort piled on, and sometimes that's just what the doctor ordered!

Ingredients

  • 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 5-6 chicken tenders
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder divided
  • 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms sliced
  • 3 cups rice cooked
  • 2 cups Italian cheese mix shredded, divided
  • 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon chicken stock divided
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Grease a 9x9-inch casserole dish.
  • Preheat a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the vegetable oil to the hot pan and allow it to heat up.
  • Add the chicken tenders to the hot oil and season them with the salt, the pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of the garlic powder.
  • Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 8-10 minutes.
  • Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate.
  • Add the mushrooms to the same pan and season them with the salt, the pepper, and the remaining garlic powder and mix well.
  • Sauté the mushrooms until they have cooked through and have given up most of their liquids, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Dice the cooked chicken tenders and add them to a mixing bowl.
  • Add the rice and the mushrooms to the chicken and mix to combine.
  • Add 1 cup of the Italian cheese mix to the chicken mixture and mix well to combine.
  • In the same skillet, heat up 1 cup the chicken stock and the heavy cream.
  • Combine the cornstarch and the remaining chicken stock in a bowl and stir to combine.
  • Quickly stir the cornstarch mixture into the heavy cream mixture.
  • Stir the salt, the pepper, and the thyme into the sauce mixture.
  • Bring the sauce mixture to a simmer and transfer the pan away from the heat.
  • Combine the sauce with the chicken mixture and stir well.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
  • Spread the casserole mixture evenly and top it with the remaining cheese.
  • Bake until the casserole is cooked through, about 18-20 minutes.
  • Serve.
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