Rice a Roni Chicken Casserole Recipe
A comforting and easy-to-make Rice a Roni Chicken Casserole featuring tender browned chicken pieces cooked with seasoned rice, simmered to perfection in a savory broth, and optionally topped with fresh parsley for added flavor and color.
- Author: Amaya
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Main Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 pound Chicken Breasts (cut into 1 inch pieces)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Box Rice a Roni Chicken (6.9 ounces)
- 2 ½ cups Water
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Chopped Parsley (optional, for topping)
- Heat the oil: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for browning the chicken.
- Cook the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Allow the chicken to brown on one side without stirring for 3-4 minutes to develop a good sear.
- Brown the other side: Gently turn the chicken pieces over and cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes until browned and mostly cooked through.
- Add butter and scrape pan: Add the butter to the skillet and let it melt. Scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen and incorporate the flavorful browned bits into the dish.
- Sauté the rice: Stir in the rice from the Rice a Roni box and sauté for about 3 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the rice turns a golden brown color.
- Add seasoning and water: Mix in the seasoning packet included in the Rice a Roni box and pour in the 2 ½ cups of water.
- Simmer the casserole: Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until most of the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Rest and serve: Remove the lid and let the casserole sit for a few minutes to finish absorbing any remaining moisture. Serve topped with fresh chopped parsley if desired for a fresh flavor boost.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add minced garlic or diced onions while sautéing the chicken.
- Make sure to cut the chicken into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- If you prefer, substitute chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
- Covering the skillet tightly during simmering helps the rice cook evenly and absorb all flavors.
- Optional parsley garnish adds a bright and fresh finish but can be omitted if unavailable.
Keywords: Rice a Roni, chicken casserole, easy dinner, chicken and rice, one-pot meal, skillet casserole