Soul-Warming Alabama Chicken & Rice: Easy Oven-Baked Recipe

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In the heart of Alabama, home-cooked meals are more than just food; they are an expression of love and tradition. There’s something deeply satisfying about gathering around the dinner table with a meal that’s both hearty and easy to prepare. One such dish, oven-baked chicken and rice, has found its way into countless Alabama kitchens over the years. It’s a recipe that combines simplicity with deep flavor, making it the perfect solution for busy families seeking comfort in their meals.

Imagine tender chicken tenders nestled in a bed of creamy, flavorful rice—each bite a mix of savory seasonings with a hint of Southern tradition. Alabama’s culinary roots run deep, and this oven-baked chicken and rice recipe is a prime example of how simple ingredients, when cooked right, can bring out the best flavors.

A Taste of Alabama in Every Bite

What makes this dish particularly loved in Alabama homes is its effortless preparation. Busy schedules often leave little room for intricate meals, and this recipe answers the call for something filling and delicious without the need for constant supervision. With chicken tenders, rice, and a blend of pantry-friendly soups and spices, this dish comes together with ease.

Oven-Baked Chicken and Rice Recipe: Alabama Style

Ingredients:

• 1 & 1/2 cups uncooked long grain white rice
• 1 can low-sodium cream of chicken soup (10.5 oz)
• 1 can low-sodium cream of celery soup (10.5 oz)
• 1 & 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 pounds chicken tenders (about 12 strips)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
• 1-ounce packet dry onion soup mix

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and coat a 9x13 dish with nonstick spray.
2. In a mixing bowl, stir together the uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, and chicken broth until fully combined. Spread this mixture evenly in the prepared dish.
3. Arrange the chicken tenders on top of the rice mixture, making sure they are evenly spaced.
4. Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, and black pepper over the chicken. Then, top it all off with the dry onion soup mix.
5. Cover the dish tightly with foil to ensure the steam stays inside while baking.
6. Bake the dish for 1 hour without opening the oven, allowing the rice to cook fully and the flavors to meld together.
7. Once done, remove from the oven and fluff the rice with a fork before serving alongside the tender chicken.

Why This Recipe is a Southern Favorite

This oven-baked chicken and rice dish is more than just an easy meal; it represents the essence of Alabama comfort food. The combination of creamy rice, seasoned chicken, and rich soups creates a satisfying, one-pan dish that brings people together around the table. Whether for a weeknight dinner or a casual family gathering, it’s a recipe that’s sure to leave everyone asking for seconds.

With minimal prep and no need to watch over the stove, it’s the kind of recipe that fits perfectly into the hustle and bustle of modern life while still delivering the kind of soul-warming comfort that only a good Southern meal can provide.

For the oven-baked chicken and rice recipe, I’ve gathered insights from a few sources that provide helpful tips and variations.

The key to a successful baked chicken and rice dish lies in layering the flavors and ensuring the rice cooks properly. From RecipeTin Eats, we learn that using long-grain white rice ensures the best texture, as it turns out fluffy without becoming sticky. Additionally, covering the dish with foil while baking traps moisture, allowing the rice to cook evenly without drying out​(RecipeTin Eats). For seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder form a simple yet effective rub that can be modified depending on your taste​(Dinner, then Dessert).

Deep South Dish emphasizes the importance of balancing the liquid-to-rice ratio to ensure that the rice is fully cooked without being too dry. It suggests baking the dish with a tight foil cover for about an hour to maintain the moisture necessary for the rice to cook properly​(Deep South Dish).

Adding vegetables like peas or carrots in the final stage, as suggested by Well Plated, enhances both the flavor and nutrition of the dish. This keeps the meal balanced and colorful, making it a great one-pan option for weeknight dinners​(Well Plated).

For more details on variations and tips, you can explore these (RecipeTin Eats)tp​(Deep South Dish).com/o​(Well Plated)-and-rice/), Deep South Dish, and Well Plated articles.