CHICKEN RICE PILAF CASSEROLE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
• Heat a large skillet.
• When hot, add enough of the oil to cover the bottom of the pan.
• Heat the oil to almost smoking.
• Add the chicken pieces in batches and brown over medium-high heat until golden, about 5 minutes per side, adding more oil as needed.
• As the chicken browns, transfer the finished pieces to 2 large baking pans.
• Drizzle liberally with lemon juice.
• If necessary, carefully drain some of the oil from the skillet, leaving about 1 or 2 tablespoons in the pan.
• Reheat the oil, and add the lemon zest, oregano and onions, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Saute the onions for 5 minutes, then add the bell peppers and saute until softened, about 5 minutes longer.
• Add the rice and cook, stirring, until all of the grains are coated with oil, about 1 minute.
• Stir in the broth and water and bring to a boil.
• (If using unsalted broth, season with salt to taste at this point or the cooked rice will be bland.) Pour the broth and rice mixture evenly over the chicken.
• Cover tightly and bake until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove from oven and let rest, still covered, at least 10 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.
• In a saucepan, melt butter; whisk in flour and fresh garlic (if using), and whisk for 1 minute.
• Gradually stir in half and half cream and chicken broth; bring to a light boil, and simmer for 2 minutes, until thickened; add in grated Parmesan cheese (you can use as much as you desire) salt and pepper.
• Fold in the cooked chicken, rice, mushrooms, peppers and parsley.
• transfer to a prepared casserole dish.
• Cover, and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the rice is done, and the casserole is bubbly.
• Note: cooked brown rice is great also.