What is Chef John's Chicken and Rice Casserole made of?

The main ingredients are Basmati Rice, Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Broth, Dried Mint, Fresh Cilantro. The full list of 22 is above.

How long does it take to make Chef John's Chicken and Rice Casserole?

About 1 hr 30 mins in total: 30 mins to prepare and 1 hr to cook.

How many calories are in one serving?

One serving provides about 440.34 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.

Is Chef John's Chicken and Rice Casserole easy to make?

This recipe is rated medium, with 22 ingredients and 22 steps.

Is Chef John's Chicken and Rice Casserole healthy?

Chef John's Chicken and Rice Casserole has an easyChef Pro health score of 49/100. Per serving, it provides 440.34 calories and 52.76 g of protein, or 106% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 697.41 mg (30% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 2.34 g (12% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus, Milk, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.

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Chef John's Chicken and Rice Casserole

Name: Chef John's Chicken and Rice Casserole
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Indian, Lebanese, Pakistani, Persian
Ingredients: 1.5 cups Basmati Rice; 0.25 tsp Cayenne Pepper; 2.25 cups Chicken Broth; 2 tbsp Dried Mint; 2 tbsp Fresh Cilantro; 2 tbsp Green Onion; 0.25 tsp Ground Allspice; 0.25 tsp Ground Cardamom; 0.25 tsp Ground Cinnamon; 0.5 tsp Ground Coriander; 1 tsp Ground Cumin; 1 whole Lime Juice; 2 cloves Minced Garlic; 1 tbsp Olive Oil; 1 tsp Paprika; 0.33 cup Plain Yogurt; 1 pinch Saffron; 2 tsp Salt; 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter; 1 tbsp Water; 0.25 tsp White Pepper; 1 whole Whole Chicken

Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 Indian 🇮🇳Lebanese 🇱🇧Pakistani 🇵🇰Persian 🇮🇷 High-Protein 💪Gluten-Free Ayurvedic 🧘Halal 🕌

Chef John's Chicken and Rice Casserole layers fragrant basmati rice and marinated chicken spiced with paprika, cumin, saffron, and warm aromatics, then bakes until juicy with crisped skin. A tangy garlic-yogurt sauce with mint, cilantro, and green onion adds a cool, herb-laced finish. Serve it for a comforting family dinner when you want bold flavor and satisfying textures.

Prep30 mins
Cook1 hr
Serves8
DifficultyMedium

easyChef Pro health score

Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Chef John's Chicken and Rice Casserole, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.

49 Health Score

Glycemic ImpactFair: 54 / 100; Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
Nutritional DensityPoor: 0 / 100; Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
Energy DensityGood: 91 / 100; Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed: 1 / 4; Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.

How it scores for each health goal

The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.

19
Heart Health: 56
Metabolic: 13
Digestive: 28
Inflammatory: 54
Performance: 44
General Wellness

1

Add the yogurt, lime zest and juice, salt, paprika, cumin, coriander, cayenne, white pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and allspice for the marinade to a large mixing bowl; whisk until combined.
2

Cut one or two slits in each piece of dark chicken meat down to the bone.
3

Add the chicken parts to the yogurt marinade and toss very thoroughly.
4

Wrap the bowl in plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 8 hours.
5

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
6

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
7

Grind the saffron in a mortar with a pestle.
8

Pour in 1/4 cup chicken broth and stir to combine.
9

Combine the unsalted butter and salt in a saucepan; add the remaining 2 cups chicken broth and the chicken broth–saffron mixture.
10

Bring to a boil over high heat.
11

Add the basmati rice and stir to combine.
12

Reduce the heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer gently for exactly 15 minutes without disturbing.
13

Turn off the heat and let rest for 10 minutes.
14

While the rice is still hot, transfer it to the prepared casserole dish.
15

Use a fork to fluff the rice while gently spreading it into an even layer.
16

Place the chicken pieces, skin-side up, on top of the rice.
17

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
18

Roast in the center of the preheated oven until the chicken is no longer pink in the centers and the juices run clear, about 45 minutes.
19

An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
20

While the chicken is in the oven, mix the yogurt, garlic, green onions, mint, cilantro, salt, and water together for the sauce.
21

Keep the sauce in the refrigerator until needed.
22

Serve the chicken and rice on a plate and top with the sauce.

About This Recipe

Chef John's Chicken and Rice Casserole is made with 22 ingredients and serves 8. It takes about 1 hr 30 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Basmati Rice, Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Broth, and Dried Mint. Each serving provides about 440.34 kcal, and is a good source of protein.

Recipe Questions

What is Chef John's Chicken and Rice Casserole made of?: The main ingredients are Basmati Rice, Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Broth, Dried Mint, Fresh Cilantro. The full list of 22 is above.
How long does it take to make Chef John's Chicken and Rice Casserole?: About 1 hr 30 mins in total: 30 mins to prepare and 1 hr to cook.
How many calories are in one serving?: One serving provides about 440.34 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
Is Chef John's Chicken and Rice Casserole easy to make?: This recipe is rated medium, with 22 ingredients and 22 steps.
Is Chef John's Chicken and Rice Casserole healthy?: Chef John's Chicken and Rice Casserole has an easyChef Pro health score of 49/100. Per serving, it provides 440.34 calories and 52.76 g of protein, or 106% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 697.41 mg (30% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 2.34 g (12% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus, Milk, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.

How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products

easyChef Pro analyzes up to 41 nutrients using data sourced from USDA and other verified food databases. Its scoring method uses the nutrients relevant to nutrition quality, calorie density, processing level, and your selected health goal. Recipes and food products get a health score from 0 to 100, calculated using consistent rules instead of being estimated by AI. The same nutrition data, serving size and health goal will produce the same result.

The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.

Your health goal also matters. easyChef Pro evaluates recipes and products across six health areas and adjusts their importance for your selected goal. This means the same food may be a better fit for one health goal than another.

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