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–+ servings
close up of a seasoned chicken thigh baked with rice

Marry Me Chicken Rice Casserole

Inspired by the viral “Marry Me Chicken,” this oven-baked version combines tender, juicy chicken with creamy rice, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes—all baked together in one dish for the ultimate comfort meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice uncooked, not instant
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom)
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped (oil-packed, drained)
  • 3 cups baby spinach leaves
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for a little heat
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs (or 4 large chicken breasts)
  • Parmesan cheese for serving

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, cream, cream of chicken soup, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and half of all the seasonings (reserve the other half for the chicken): Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
  3. Stir in the uncooked rice until everything is evenly combined, then pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish.
  4. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub each piece with a little of the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar (hello, flavor!) and sprinkle evenly with the remaining seasonings. Lay the chicken pieces right on top of the rice mixture.
  5. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
  6. Let the dish rest for 5–10 minutes before serving—this helps the sauce thicken up a bit. Garnish with Parmesan cheese, and if you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley.

Nutrition

Calories: 515kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 32gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 1341mgPotassium: 971mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2334IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 89mgIron: 3mg
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