If you’re on the lookout for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that tastes like a warm hug on a plate, the Angel Chicken Rice Recipe is an absolute winner. This dish brings together tender, juicy chicken breasts smothered in a silky mixture of cream cheese, golden mushroom soup, and a zingy Italian dressing blend, all baked to perfection. Served over fluffy rice, it’s the kind of recipe that feels both elegant and homey, perfect for a family dinner or when you want to impress without fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully simple, yet each one plays a crucial role in delivering the rich flavors and creamy texture that make the Angel Chicken Rice Recipe so irresistible. From the melting butter that helps brown the chicken to the creamy and tangy sauce components, every element shines through to create a perfectly balanced dish.
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The star protein, tender and juicy when cooked just right.
- 1/4 cup butter: Adds richness and helps create a golden crust on the chicken.
- 1 package dry Italian salad dressing mix: Brings an herby, zesty punch that livens up the sauce.
- 1 can condensed golden mushroom soup: The base of the creamy sauce, infusing earthiness and smoothness.
- 1/2 cup white wine: Adds acidity and depth, balancing out the creaminess beautifully.
- 4 ounces cream cheese with chives: Delivers velvety texture and a subtle onion flavor for extra richness.
- Cooked rice, for serving: The perfect neutral bed to soak up all that luscious sauce.
How to Make Angel Chicken Rice Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by setting your oven to 325°F (165°C). This moderate temperature lets the chicken cook gently, staying tender and moist while the sauce melds all its flavors together.
Step 2: Brown the Chicken
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then brown the chicken breasts on both sides. This step isn’t just about color—it locks in flavor and juices, creating a lovely sear that gives the chicken extra depth.
Step 3: Arrange Chicken in Baking Dish
Transfer your beautifully browned chicken breasts into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spreading them out evenly helps them cook uniformly in that amazing sauce you’re about to make.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce
Using the same skillet (to catch all those flavorful browned bits), combine the dry Italian salad dressing mix, golden mushroom soup, white wine, and cream cheese with chives. Stir the mixture until it’s silky smooth and perfectly blended—this is the luscious sauce that will envelop the chicken.
Step 5: Pour Sauce Over Chicken
Generously pour the creamy sauce over the chicken, making sure each breast gets coated with that gorgeous, flavorful coating that will keep them tender and scrumptiously saucy.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake it in your preheated oven for about 60 minutes. This slow bake tenderizes the chicken and allows the flavors to fully combine, resulting in that melt-in-your-mouth sensation everyone will love.
Step 7: Serve Over Rice
Once the baking is done, serve the chicken and all that delightful sauce over a generous bed of fluffy cooked rice. The rice soaks up the sauce, making every bite a perfect harmony of textures and tastes.
How to Serve Angel Chicken Rice Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Angel Chicken Rice Recipe, try sprinkling some fresh chopped parsley or chives over the top. Not only do these add a fresh pop of color, but they bring a subtle brightness that complements the creamy sauce beautifully.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed or roasted vegetables like green beans, asparagus, or broccoli. Their natural crispness and mild flavors make an excellent contrast to the creamy richness of the chicken and rice.
Creative Ways to Present
For a more festive presentation, serve the chicken on a platter with the sauce ladled over just before serving. You could also mold the rice into individual portions using a small bowl or ramekin to create a polished look that’s sure to impress guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Angel Chicken Rice Recipe keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The sauce might thicken when chilled, but it’s easily loosened with a splash of broth or water during reheating.
Freezing
If you want to stash some for later, freeze the chicken and sauce (without the rice) in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain the best texture and taste.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce in a covered skillet on low heat, adding a little water or broth if needed to keep it silky. Reheat the rice separately in the microwave or on the stove.
FAQs
Can I use skin-on chicken breasts instead?
Absolutely! Skin-on chicken breasts will add a bit more flavor thanks to the rendered fat, but remember that cooking times might vary slightly, and you may want to brown the skin side longer for crispy results.
What can I substitute for white wine?
If you prefer to avoid alcohol, dry chicken broth or even white grape juice mixed with a splash of vinegar works well to keep that bright, slightly acidic tone in the sauce.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
You can swap cream cheese for a dairy-free alternative and choose a dairy-free butter substitute. Just make sure the mushroom soup and Italian seasoning mix are also dairy-free or look for suitable versions.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes! Brown rice adds a nuttier flavor and more chew, which pairs nicely with the creamy, tender chicken. Just remember that brown rice takes longer to cook, so plan accordingly.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The sauce will be bubbly and creamy, and the meat should feel tender when pierced with a fork.
Final Thoughts
The Angel Chicken Rice Recipe is a shining example of comfort food done right—simple, creamy, and utterly satisfying. It’s the kind of meal that brings smiles around the table and leftovers that taste just as good the next day. I encourage you to dive in and give this recipe a try; it might just become your new favorite go-to dinner!
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Angel Chicken Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Angel Chicken Rice is a comforting and flavorful baked chicken dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts smothered in a creamy sauce made from golden mushroom soup, Italian salad dressing mix, white wine, and chive cream cheese. Baked to perfection, it is served over a bed of cooked rice for a hearty and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup butter
Sauce
- 1 package dry Italian salad dressing mix (about 1 ounce)
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed golden mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 4 ounces cream cheese with chives
Serving
- Cooked rice, for serving (about 3 cups cooked)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Brown the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chicken breasts and brown them on both sides until they develop a nice golden color. This step helps lock in flavor and gives the chicken a pleasant texture.
- Arrange Chicken for Baking: Transfer the browned chicken breasts to a 9×13-inch baking dish, arranging them in a single layer for even cooking.
- Make the Sauce: Using the same skillet (to retain the flavorful bits), combine the dry Italian salad dressing mix, condensed golden mushroom soup, white wine, and cream cheese with chives. Stir continuously until the mixture becomes smooth and well-blended, creating a rich and creamy sauce.
- Pour Sauce Over Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the chicken breasts in the baking dish, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to keep moisture in. Bake in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through and tender. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Serve the baked chicken and sauce hot over a bed of cooked rice, allowing the rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Notes
- You can substitute cream cheese with plain cream cheese if chive-flavored is unavailable, but add some fresh chopped chives or green onions for flavor.
- White wine adds subtle acidity and depth, but you can replace it with chicken broth if preferred.
- For best results, use medium-grain rice such as jasmine or basmati.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- To make this dish gluten-free, ensure the salad dressing mix and mushroom soup are certified gluten-free.
