Description
A flavorful baked dish combining tender chicken, roasted zucchini, aromatic rice, and two types of melted cheese, seasoned with herbs and spices for a comforting, cheesy zucchini chicken and rice casserole.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Vegetables
- 3 small/medium zucchini, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
Proteins
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
Grains & Pasta
- 1 1/2 cup basmati or jasmine rice
- 1/2 cup dry orzo pasta (use gluten free if needed)
Dairy
- 3/4 cup shredded Havarti cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Pantry & Spices
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (more or less to taste)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
- Fresh basil, for serving
Optional
- 2-4 tbsp everything bagel spice
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Cook zucchini: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped zucchini, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook until golden and tender, about 5-8 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics and chicken: In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and chopped onion. Cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken cubes, season with salt and pepper, and cook until seared, 2-3 minutes.
- Toast rice and orzo: Add butter, minced garlic, rice, orzo, and thyme to the skillet. Cook until golden and toasted, 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to coat everything evenly.
- Add broth and cook: Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil over high heat. Return zucchini to the skillet. Season with cayenne pepper, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15-20 minutes until rice and orzo are mostly cooked.
- Mix in cheese & assemble: Once cooked, stir in ½ cup of Havarti and ½ cup of sharp cheddar cheese. If needed, transfer the mixture to an oven-safe casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top. If using, add everything bagel spice and chopped chives.
- Bake and broil: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese melts. Switch to broil and cook for 1-2 minutes to crisp the top slightly. Serve warm garnished with fresh basil.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use fresh herbs like parsley or thyme on top before serving.
- Adjust the spice level by varying the cayenne pepper according to taste.
- If you prefer a less cheesy dish, reduce the cheese quantities.
- Ensure to use oven-safe dishes for baking and broiling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
