French Onion Chicken Rice Bake (Printer-Friendly)

Tender chicken, creamy rice, and golden crunchy onions baked until bubbly and finished with fresh parsley.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

01 - 2 cups cooked white rice
02 - 2 cups shredded cooked chicken

→ Creamy Component

03 - 1 can (approx. 300 ml) cream of chicken soup
04 - 1 can (approx. 300 ml) French onion soup
05 - 1 cup sour cream

→ Cheese and Topping

06 - 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or Swiss cheese
07 - 1.5 cups French fried onions, divided

→ Seasoning

08 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
10 - Salt to taste
11 - Black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

12 - Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F) to ensure even baking.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine cooked rice, shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, French onion soup, sour cream, shredded cheese, 1 cup of French fried onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and evenly mixed.
03 - Lightly grease a 33 x 23 cm (9 x 13-inch) baking dish. Evenly spread the mixture into the dish for consistent cooking.
04 - Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the center is bubbling and the top is set.
05 - Remove from oven and sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cup of French fried onions as an even layer over the top. Return to oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until onions are golden and crisp.
06 - Take the casserole from the oven, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve immediately for optimal flavor and texture.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Opt for freshly shredded chicken for best texture and flavor. Avoid over-salting, as the soups and fried onions contribute significant sodium.
02 - This dish freezes well; cool completely before packaging and store tightly sealed for up to three months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
03 - Fresh mozzarella offers mild creaminess, while Swiss provides a nutty flavor; choose based on your preference.
04 - For extra crispiness, briefly toast French fried onions in a dry pan before using as topping.