No-Peek Chicken Will Have You Seeing Stars

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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.

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

  1. Prepare oven and baking dish:

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

    Southern Living No Peek Chicken ingredients

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

  2. 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.

    Southern Living No Peek Chicken stirring in the rice and broccoli

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

  3. Add chicken:

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

    Southern Living No Peek Chicken adding the chicken to the baking dish

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

    Cover tightly with aluminum foil.

    Southern Living No Peek Chicken covering the dish with foil

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

  4. 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.

    Southern Living No Peek Chicken after baking

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

  5. Add cheese:

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

    Southern Living No Peek Chicken sprinkling with cheese

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

  6. Broil to melt cheese:

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

    Southern Living No Peek Chicken after adding the cheese

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

    Top with scallions and bacon.

    Southern Living No Peek Chicken in the dish ready to serve

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

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