1-First Step: Get the oven and dish ready Preheat your oven to 325°F. Then spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray. This step helps prevent sticking and makes serving much easier later. If you are cooking for a crowd, this same method works well in a similar large baking dish, as long as the rice has room to spread out.

2-Second Step: Season the chicken Place the 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts in the prepared dish. Season them with salt and pepper. Keep the seasoning light but even, since the onion soup mix and cream soup will bring a good amount of flavor to the final dish. If you want to add more flavor here, you can sprinkle a little garlic powder or paprika on top too.

3-Third Step: Add the rice Spread 1 cup of uncooked long grain white rice evenly over the chicken. This is an important part of the recipe because the rice cooks right in the casserole dish. Long grain white rice works best since it stays fluffy and cooks at the same pace as the chicken. Instant rice is not the right choice here because it can turn mushy.

4-Fourth Step: Add the seasoning layer Sprinkle 1 ounce of dry onion soup mix evenly over the rice. This adds a rich, savory flavor without needing a long ingredient list. The soup mix also helps season the rice as it bakes, so each bite tastes balanced and comforting. If you like a stronger onion flavor, you can also add a small handful of chopped onions before the soup mix goes on.

5-Fifth Step: Mix the sauce In a bowl, mix the 10.5 ounces of condensed cream of mushroom soup with 1 1/2 cups water until smooth. Pour this mixture over everything in the casserole dish. Try to cover the rice as evenly as possible so it can absorb the liquid and cook all the way through. For a richer version, you can swap the water for beef broth, which gives the casserole a deeper, heartier taste.

6-Sixth Step: Cover and bake Cover the dish tightly with foil. This traps the steam and helps the rice cook properly. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender. Depending on your oven and the dish you use, it may need up to 25 extra minutes. If the rice is still a little firm, keep baking in short checks until it softens.

7-Final Step: Rest and serve Once the casserole is done, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the sauce settle and makes it easier to scoop. The finished dish should be creamy, comforting, and full of tender chicken and soft rice. If you want to round out the meal, serve it with a simple side like green beans, roasted carrots, or a fresh salad.