Description
A comforting and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender shredded chicken cooked in spicy buffalo sauce combined with creamy cheddar cheese and fluffy rice. This cheesy buffalo chicken and rice bake is perfect for a cozy dinner, blending tangy heat with savory goodness and fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
Rice and Broth
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (preferably Frank’s RedHot)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced green onions
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the dish after initial stovetop cooking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large oven-safe skillet, mix the uncooked rice, chicken broth, buffalo sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper together until well combined.
- Add Chicken and Veggies: Stir in the shredded chicken, diced celery, and half of the green onions into the skillet mixture thoroughly.
- Cook on Stovetop: Place the skillet over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the skillet. Let it cook covered for 15 minutes to allow the rice to absorb the liquids.
- Add Cheese: After 15 minutes, remove the lid and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts into a creamy texture throughout the mixture.
- Bake in Oven: Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and the top is slightly golden brown.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with the remaining green onions before serving hot.
Notes
- Use cooked shredded chicken for best texture and flavor; rotisserie chicken works well.
- Adjust the amount of buffalo sauce based on your preferred spice level.
- If you do not have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the rice mixture to a baking dish before baking.
- Covering the skillet during simmering helps the rice cook evenly and absorb all the flavors.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated; add a splash of broth when reheating to keep the rice moist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: buffalo chicken, cheesy rice bake, spicy chicken recipe, one-pan dinner, comfort food, chicken and rice casserole
