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Angel Chicken Rice is a hearty, flavorful dish that brings together tender chicken, creamy sauce, and melted cheese all over a bed of fluffy rice. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel at home with every bite. Whether you’re serving it for a busy weeknight dinner or making it for a gathering with family and friends, this recipe delivers a rich, comforting meal that’s both easy to make and full of delicious flavors. The creamy sauce, combined with seasoned chicken, garlic, and melted Colby Jack cheese, transforms ordinary rice into something extraordinary. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and versatility—plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser that can be customized in so many ways to suit your taste. If you’re a fan of comforting casseroles, Angel Chicken Rice is sure to become one of your go-to recipes. With a few basic ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a meal that’s packed with flavor and warmth.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Quick and Easy to Make

This dish is incredibly simple to prepare, requiring only a few basic ingredients and minimal cooking time. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you need something comforting but don’t have a lot of time.

2. Creamy and Rich Flavor

The combination of butter, cream cheese, and cream of chicken soup creates a creamy base that perfectly complements the shredded chicken, rice, and cheese. It’s a decadent dish that’s still incredibly satisfying.

3. Kid-Friendly

With its mild, cheesy flavor and soft textures, this dish is perfect for feeding the whole family, including picky eaters.

4. Customizable

You can easily adapt the recipe to suit your preferences. Add vegetables, swap out the cheese, or switch up the seasoning to make it your own.

5. Great for Leftovers

Not only is this recipe delicious the day it’s made, but it also keeps well, making it perfect for leftovers. You can store it and enjoy it again the next day!

Ingredients

Cooked chicken, diced or shredded
Cooked rice
Butter, room temperature and cubed
Cream cheese, room temperature and cubed
Cream of chicken soup
Garlic, minced
Italian dressing mix (Good Seasons or your choice)
Chicken stock
Shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided use
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish

Variations

Vegetable Add-ins: Add vegetables such as spinach, peas, or bell peppers to make the dish more colorful and nutritious.
Cheese Options: Substitute Colby Jack with cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix of your favorite cheeses.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a bit of heat.
Low-Carb: Swap the rice for cauliflower rice for a lower-carb version of this dish.
Herbs: Use fresh or dried herbs like thyme, oregano, or basil to enhance the flavor of the creamy sauce.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Rice

Begin by ensuring that your chicken is cooked and either diced or shredded, and your rice is already cooked.

Step 2: Mix the Sauce

In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature butter, cubed cream cheese, and cream of chicken soup. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian dressing mix, and chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Add the cooked chicken and rice to the sauce mixture, stirring until everything is evenly coated.

Step 4: Add Cheese

Stir in one cup of shredded Colby Jack cheese, mixing until the cheese begins to melt into the sauce. Reserve the second cup for topping the dish later.

Step 5: Bake

Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish and spread it out evenly. Top with the remaining shredded Colby Jack cheese.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake the dish at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the dish is heated through.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature to avoid lumps in the sauce.
For an even creamier texture, you can add extra cream cheese or a little bit of heavy cream.
Don’t skip the step of reserving some cheese to sprinkle on top. It will create a beautiful, melted cheese layer.
Use rotisserie chicken for a faster, no-cook option—perfect if you’re short on time.

How to Serve

Angel Chicken Rice can be served as a main dish alongside a crisp salad or steamed vegetables. It’s hearty enough to stand on its own but pairs wonderfully with lighter sides such as roasted Brussels sprouts, sautéed green beans, or a fresh garden salad.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Angel Chicken Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The creamy sauce and chicken keep well and remain flavorful when reheated.

Freezing

This dish freezes well! After baking, let the dish cool to room temperature. Then, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or foil and freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake until hot and bubbly.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for quicker reheating.

FAQs

1. Can I use other types of cheese?

Yes! You can substitute Colby Jack with cheddar, mozzarella, or a cheese blend that you prefer.

2. Can I make this recipe with raw chicken?

It’s best to use cooked chicken for this recipe, but you can cook raw chicken first and then shred it before adding it to the dish.

3. Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, brown rice can be used as a substitute for white rice, but make sure it’s fully cooked before adding it to the recipe.

4. Can I use low-fat cream cheese?

Yes, low-fat cream cheese can be used if you want to reduce the fat content, though it may slightly change the texture and flavor.

5. How can I make this recipe spicier?

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or some hot sauce to the sauce mixture to give it a little heat.

6. Is this recipe gluten-free?

It’s not gluten-free due to the cream of chicken soup and Italian dressing mix, but you can use gluten-free alternatives to make it gluten-free.

7. Can I use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock?

Yes, you can swap out chicken stock for vegetable stock if you want a vegetarian option.

8. How do I prevent the dish from drying out when reheating?

Cover the dish with foil when reheating in the oven to keep moisture in, and consider adding a splash of chicken stock to help with reheating.

9. Can I double this recipe for a larger crowd?

Yes, you can easily double the recipe and bake it in a larger baking dish.

10. Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes, you can prepare everything up to the baking step and store it in the refrigerator for a day or two before baking.

Conclusion

Angel Chicken Rice is a simple yet satisfying meal that combines all the comforting flavors you crave. With its creamy sauce, tender chicken, and melted cheese, this dish is bound to become a family favorite. Whether you’re making it for a busy weeknight or for a special gathering, this recipe is easy to make and sure to impress. Don’t forget to customize it with your favorite ingredients and enjoy the delicious, hearty results!