This page brings together five rice dishes that lean on skillet cooking, oven baking, and a few simple finishers. Each one pairs rice with familiar ingredients like sausage, chicken, kielbasa, broccoli, or queso for a different style of meal.
The recipes below include one-pan methods and layered casseroles, with details such as simmering, toasting rice, or baking under foil. They offer a practical mix of hearty and comforting ways to cook rice.
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- Italian Sausage and Rice Skillet
- Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole
- Kielbasa and Rice Skillet
- Oven-Baked Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole
- Pollo Loco Mexican Chicken and Rice with Queso
Italian Sausage and Rice Skillet
Italian Sausage and Rice Skillet starts by browning sausage in olive oil, then softens onion, garlic, and bell pepper in the same pan. Long-grain white rice is stirred in with chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning, giving the dish a savory base that cooks together in one skillet.
After the mixture comes to a boil, it is covered and simmered until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Parmesan is stirred in at the end for a melted finish, and chopped parsley can be used as a garnish when serving hot.
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Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole
Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole combines cubed chicken and uncooked white rice with chicken broth, cream of celery soup, melted butter, and garlic powder. The mixture is stirred until coated, then poured into a greased baking dish and covered with foil before baking, which helps the rice cook evenly in the oven.
After 70 minutes, the foil comes off and cheddar cheese is sprinkled over the top. The casserole returns to the oven uncovered so the cheese can melt and brown, then it rests briefly before serving warm.
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Kielbasa and Rice Skillet
Kielbasa and Rice Skillet begins with sliced kielbasa seared until golden brown, then set aside while onion, bell pepper, and garlic are sautéed in the same pan. Rice is added to toast with the vegetables, creating a flavorful base before tomatoes, chicken broth, and seasonings are stirred in.
The kielbasa goes back into the skillet to simmer with the rice until cooked through. Once the rice is fluffy, the seasoning can be adjusted, and optional peas may be stirred in before serving hot with parsley or hot sauce.
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Oven-Baked Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Oven-Baked Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole mixes cooked white rice with sautéed onion, garlic, and broccoli, plus milk, sour cream, and cheddar cheese. The broccoli is cooked until bright green and just starting to soften, which helps it hold its shape in the finished casserole.
The mixture is spread into a greased casserole dish, then topped with more cheddar and grated Parmesan. It bakes until hot, bubbling, and golden brown on top, and chopped fresh parsley is added just before serving.
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Pollo Loco Mexican Chicken and Rice with Queso
Pollo Loco Mexican Chicken and Rice with Queso layers seasoned chicken with Mexican-style rice, black beans, corn, and cheese. The chicken is cooked first in a skillet until golden and done, while the rice mixture is warmed through separately before everything is assembled in a dish.
After layering the rice, beans, corn, and chicken, the dish is topped with cheese and baked in the oven. Warm queso is drizzled over the finished casserole, then green onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime add the final touch.
Get the full Pollo Loco Mexican Chicken and Rice with Queso recipe
