Greek Chicken And Rice
A flavorful Greek-inspired chicken and rice casserole with tender chicken, fragrant herbs, and a creamy tomato broth, perfect for comforting family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1/2 stick butter ⓘ
- 4 chicken breasts ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose Greek seasoning ⓘ
- 1 bell pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 stalk celery ⓘ
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped ⓘ
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced ⓘ
- 2 cups uncooked long grain rice ⓘ
- 1 can cream of chicken soup ⓘ
- 2 cans water or chicken broth ⓘ
- 1/2 cup canned tomatoes with green chiles (Ro-Tel) ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- dash of pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add chicken breasts seasoned with Greek seasoning and brown on both sides.
- Simmer the chicken until hot, then transfer to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté chopped bell pepper, celery, chopped onion, and minced garlic until tender, about 2 minutes.
- Add uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, water or chicken broth, canned tomatoes with green chiles, salt, and pepper to the pan.
- Mix well and pour the mixture evenly over the chicken in the baking dish.
- Cover and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 45 minutes until rice is cooked and chicken is fully done.
- Garnish as desired and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken in the Greek seasoning overnight. You can substitute the long grain rice with quinoa or bulghur wheat for a healthier option. If you want a bit more heat, add some crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the vegetable mix. Experiment with different veggies like zucchini or spinach to personalize your dish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Greek Chicken and Rice dish with a side of tzatziki sauce for a refreshing contrast. A simple green salad or roasted vegetables make excellent pairings. For a Mediterranean theme, consider serving with pita bread or a side of hummus. This dish also pairs beautifully with Chicken With Lemon, perfect for those looking for lighter options.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, place in the microwave until heated through or warm in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes. If the rice seems dry, add a splash of broth or water before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Greek Chicken And Rice contains roughly 1033 calories, with 40g protein, 159g carbohydrates, and 25g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (81% of the Daily Value), iron (37% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (33% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1275mg per serving (55% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but make sure to thaw them completely before cooking to ensure even cooking and proper browning. If you're short on time, thaw them in the microwave or overnight in the fridge.
What can I substitute for cream of chicken soup?
If you prefer a healthier option, you can use homemade cream of chicken soup or a dairy-free alternative made from blended cashews or coconut milk mixed with chicken broth. This will still give you a creamy texture without the canned ingredients.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Additionally, you can add more vegetables such as mushrooms and spinach for added flavor and texture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).