No-Peek Chicken Will Have You Seeing Stars

4.8

(4)

4 Reviews

No-peek chicken is the very definition of cheesy, homey, comfort food. As its name suggests, once you put this casserole in the oven, you need to leave it—no peeking, no sneaking. The end result is absolutely worth the anticipation. The chicken is surprisingly tender and juicy. It sits on a fluffy yet soft, super flavorful and perfectly seasoned rice that's made creamier with canned soup mixes. The broccoli stays green and is perfectly tender as well. Everything is brought together by crispy, salty bacon, and a layer of gooey Cheddar Jack cheese and fresh scallions take this simple chicken and rice dish to a new level.

By

Marianne Williams

Published on July 27, 2024

Recipe tested by

Southern Living Test Kitchen

Active Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 10 mins

Servings:

4

Southern Living No Peek Chicken on a plate to serve — Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Ingredients

Cooking spray
1 (10.5-oz.) can condensed Cheddar cheese soup (such as Campbell’s)
1 (10.5-oz.) can condensed cream of chicken soup (such as Campbell’s)
1 cup chicken broth
2 cups quick-cooking rice (such as Minute)
1 cup frozen chopped broccoli florets (from 1 [10-oz.] pkg.), unthawed
1 1/2 tsp. all-purpose meat and veggie rub (such as Kinder’s)
4 (8-oz.) boneless skinless chicken breasts, patted dry
8 oz. shredded Cheddar-Jack cheese
Thinly sliced scallions
Crumbled bacon

Directions

Prepare oven and baking dish:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Gather ingredients.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Add soups and rice to baking dish:

Add Cheddar soup, cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth to baking dish; whisk together until well combined. Stir in rice and broccoli.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Add chicken:

Sprinkle chicken breasts evenly with meat and veggie rub. Nestle chicken breasts into rice mixture.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Cover tightly with aluminum foil.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Bake casserole:

Bake on center rack in preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest part of chicken registers 155°F (temperature of chicken will continue to rise to 165°F) and rice is tender, about 1 hour.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Add cheese:

Increase oven temperature to Broil. Uncover and fluff rice around chicken with a fork. Sprinkle rice and chicken evenly with cheese.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Broil to melt cheese:

Broil until cheese is melted and starting to brown, 4 to 5 minutes.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Top with scallions and bacon.

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Marianne Williams, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle