Baked Chicken over Creamy Mushroom Rice

 the new old

So I set out today to create a new recipe, something I thoroughly enjoy doing when I have the time and in doing so, providing a supper dish worthy of the time spent. The process of melding together ingredients into whatever I am hankering at the moment, I find rewarding. I like to start with a few basic ingredients, in this case a package of bone-in chicken breasts, a package of mushrooms and a bag of Aromatic Rice from Louisiana. From there, I let my fifth sense, the savory area of the brain take over and go about the recipe. I envision from start to finish the other ingredients to use and have on hand, how I will go about the cooking method and the end result I want, what the overall flavor should be and the appearance. Sometimes I miss the mark but when I do hit one right, it feels good.

Chicken, mushrooms and rice, that tired old something or another dish we have all done is getting a make-over of sorts. Now, my chicken licken casserole I made a while back was pretty darn good, but today, I wanted something a little different. My thought process lent toward baked chicken with a velvety smooth saucy rice, with hints of celery, bay leaves and roasted bell peppers, and the ease of serving from a casserole. Here is how I did it. Enjoy!

Baked Chicken over Creamy Mushroom Rice
serves 4 to 8

chicken partially baked
4 large bone-in chicken breast or pieces of choice
Salt, pepper, paprika and flour for dusting
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3 cups chicken broth
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
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1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
1/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup diced celery
1 -8 oz fresh mushrooms, chopped
chicken with rice mixture
1/4 cup diced roasted bell pepper, see below
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup uncooked rice, I used aromatic long grain

Wash the chicken under running water and remove visible fat. I leave the skin on to bake but you may remove it if desired. I like to cut each breast in half creating a better serving size and also for even cooking. Season the pieces with salt, pepper and a light sprinkle of paprika and dust lightly with flour. Set on a baking sheet skin side up. Place in a preheated 350 degree F. oven and bake uncovered for about 25 minutes or until skin is crisp and brown. Remove and set aside in a warm area.

While chicken is baking, combine broth, bay leaves and Creole seasoning in a saucepan and simmer over medium heat for about 15 minutes. Remove bay leaves.

In a skillet, melt butter and saute onion, celery and mushrooms over medium high heat until tender. Add the bell pepper and remove from heat.

Spray a large oblong casserole dish with cooking oil and combine the chicken broth, mushroom mixture and the cream in the dish. Stir in the rice. Lay the chicken pieces on top, push each down a bit and cover with aluminum foil. Bake about 30 minutes or until rice is done and chicken is thoroughly cooked. The rice should still be a little moist. Remove and let set a few minutes before serving.

Quick Roasted Peppers: Working with tongs over a hot heat source, like a gas stove, hold pepper slices over the flame a few minutes until blistered.

Comments

  1. Oh, my friend; you done good. This looks fantastic. It's a rainy, cold day here in North Carolina and this looks like comfort food, pure and simple. I love the fact that the chicken is partially baked but then put on the rice so the juices can soak down and render their goodness to the rest of the dish while still leaving a crispy top. Can you see me sigh with pleasure through the monitor? I am.

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  2. Oh yum! This looks so, so good. Love the colour on the chicken. I am saving this recipe to try soon.

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  3. Okay, here's a question for you. What's the difference between Cajun and Creole seasoning? I know I could google it, but I bet you have a better answer. You did good with that chicken!

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  4. @Kristen - you are not going to like this, but in my opinion, the difference is a few ingredients, the name and it's label... much like the cuisine, Creole is citified bringing together hints of the Caribbean trade while Cajun is country, rooted deeply in French & Native American... many times, it is okay to interchange the two seasonings...

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  5. This must be one of the rare times that you cook rice. I love rice. Love the way you cook it. I have never cooked rice in the oven. It's interesting. Love the sauce and the chicken on top. I think this chicken rice dish will disappear very quickly in my family :D

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  6. Any rice recipe will make my eyes open wider! I would love to try this. Looks very delicious.

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  7. You know, until you addressed the Creole and Cajun seasoning question I was wondering that same. (Remember, I am a Philadelphia transplant here in the south).
    Another one for my to do list. Maybe I ought to just buy your recipe book since you have so many wonderful meals posted here!

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  8. Now this is my idea of playing with your food :)
    This is one wonderful casserole! The creamy rice with mushrooms is something I would love to be having right now :)

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  9. My mother used to make a chicken and rice dish with Campbell's cream of chicken soup. I guarantee you, you're is infinitely more appealing, even with out tasting it. (No offense intended to my mother, of course.)

    I've not tried creole seasoning. Something new to try!

    Kristi

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  10. I'm a leg and thigh man myself, so I'd make this dish gladly with some dark meat. Chicken, rice, mushrooms and above all cream... yum!

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  11. Lovely dish! Rice is always so nice when cooked with other ingredients. I like the ingredients you've added to perk up the creamy sauce.

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  12. That is a delicious casserole... This would be an instant hit in my house! Love everything about it!

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  13. That all looks really fantastic! Great meal!

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  14. This reminds me of a dish we make for work birthdays/potlucks called "no peek chicken". I think it has a few less ingredients, but the same concept! Wonderfully comforting :)

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  15. this is a great recipe :) I bet it taste awsm !

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  16. Can I just ditto what Christiane said? MMM, that makes me want to put away the ham steak we've got for dinner tonight and head to the store and buy some chicken.

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  17. Oh Yum!! A nice way of making chicken more delicious.

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  18. This really look delicious and yummy. Now am getting hungry.

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  19. My dad's wife makes something very similar to this! Its so comforting, one of my favorites!

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  20. This sounds really great- a new twist on the classic chicken and rice with COM soup.

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