“Souper” Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Rice.
This is what I call Jenny comfort food…
Jenny being my mom. My mom who loves rice more than anyone I know. My mom who also loves anything with butter and carbs more than anyone I know. In many ways she has the palette of an eight year old. However, unlike a lot of eight year olds, she’ll eat pretty much anything that doesn’t come out of the water, yep, no seafood or fish for MY mom! Those are just her not gonna happen – no matter what, foods, but other than that she’ll try to eat just about anything I make.
What she loves most though, and would gladly eat most every day… well, I mean other than chocolate chip cookies and homemade chocolate cake…obviously (I know, she’s a smart woman) is…
Souper rice!!
Yes, soupy rice, or as she calls it, “souper rice“. Basically for those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, it is made with a can of cream of mushroom soup (or in mom’s case – cream of chicken) + a can and a half of rice + a can of milk. Kind of a mix between a creamy soup and a casserole, and well, she loved it. Yes, loved past tense, Jenny sadly gave up this favorite many years ago. As a kid she and her best friend Sue would eat it every day in the summer, but somewhere along the way, just like ramen noodle soup, she realized that this might not be the healthiest food choice. I have to say, I probably had many a bowls myself as kid, with a side of saltines. Don’t judge, I was one of those kids that actually ate what my parents served me. Gotta say, it was pretty good. Creamy, carby and just comforting, you know?
Did anyone else eat this as a kid, or was it just my weirdo, rice loving mom?
Soo, what does this have to do with today’s recipe? Well, it’s back to school time, and in my mind that means easing our way back into a little cozier meals, but meals that are super fast and easy to prepare. For some reason, I always think back to the recipes my mom used to make around this time of year. Like last year, it was this chicken and zucchini noodle casserole…
Um, have you guys tried this? It’s so good and a way healthier version of the classic. My family LOVES it!
This year, it’s all about the creamy/soupy rice and I am pretty dang excited about it. For as much as I love bold flavors and dishes full of colors, crazy cheeses, fruits and veggies, I can also love a bowl full of literally just creamy carbs and cheese. Yes, I am my mother’s daughter after all. ?
So I took my mom’s idea of “souper rice” and turned it into a much healthier family dinner that’s way too easy to make (well nothing can be “too easy”). This “Souper” Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Rice makes great use of all the summer zucchini…not to mention it’s a great way to feed your kids zucchini without them knowing it.
You are welcome in advance! 🙂
Here’s how this meal goes down. You’ll need some butter, chicken, garlic, rice, milk, chicken broth, thyme, parsley, onion powder and cheddar cheese. Basically, you add this all to a pot and let the rice cook. No for real.
This is a one pot kind of meal and it’s delicious. You can serve the rice straight from the pot or transfer it to an oven safe baking dish, top with a little more cheddar cheese and bake until it’s golden and melted. I kind of love this baked with a little extra cheese, but then what dish isn’t better with a little extra cheese, you know?
Either way, it’s honestly just family dinner perfection. It’s a meal that both adults and kids will love. This would be great served with a simple side salad or maybe even a late summer fruit salad? Whatever you are feeling!
Oh and also? Mom’s souper rice never included cheese, but she’s come to the conclusion that this cheesy, healthier version is a million times better than her original. Knowing how much mom loved souper rice, this is kind of a big deal.
Meaning, you need to give this recipe a try. Cause it is SOOO good!
OKOK, and it’s really great for bland eaters…aka most of my family.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
"Souper" Cheesy Chicken Zucchini Rice.
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheesy, chicken, rice, zucchini
It is made with a can of cream of mushroom soup (or in mom's case - cream of chicken) + a can and a half of rice + a can of milk. Kind of a mix between a creamy soup and a casserole, and well, we love it.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders, diced
- kosher salt + pepper
- 3 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 1 1/2 cups basmati or jasmine rice
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 small to medium zucchini grated
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
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Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the butter. Add the chicken and season with salt + pepper. Cook, stirring often until the chicken is browned on the outside and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add the rice and stir to coat with the butter. Cook until the rice smells toasted, about 1-2 minutes.
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Slowly pour in the milk and chicken broth. Add the zucchini, thyme, parsley and onion powder. Bring the mix to a boil, cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the rice is fluffy.
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Once the rice is cooked, stir in the the cheese to melt. If desired, you can transfer the rice to a baking dish and top with a little more cheese. Then bake at 400 degrees F. for 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve warm.
For real though…SO CREAMY…zucchini rice never tasted so good!
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PSS. I’ve also been nominated for the SAVEUR Magazine 2016 Blog Awards for Most Inspired Weeknight Dinners! I would be so grateful if you would go and vote for your favorite blogger. You can vote everyday from now until August 31st! ?
This looks soooo good and comforting and an interesting way to prepare rice! As a Philippine native, rice is a staple to our every meals (yes, including breakfast). My hubby told me that he’s never ate this much rice all his life until he met me lol! ?
Thats awesome to hear that you like it!! Rice isn’t a bad thing to eat a lot of in my opinion!!
I read once that every woman’s love language is 1) cheese 2) carbs and 3) chocolate. I tend to agree, this must be why they make Spanx!!!! This soupy dish looks absolutely mouth watering in that comfort sort of way.
I totally agree!! What else do we need!?
Thank you Laura
The take out Asian places in my Park Slope neighborhood do somewhat healthy versions of souper rice really well, for example with chicken curry and a red grain rice. Will have to try your home made version. Looks delicious!
Those sound delicious!! Excited to hear what you think of this dish!! Thanks Barbara
I love finding healthier ways to make those not-so-healthy comforts foods that we all secretly love. This souper rice would be so popular in my house, I’ve clearly gotta make it!
I love it!! Enjoying food I love and having it be healthy!!
I hope everyone loves it Tori!!
this is the ultimate comfort food. I love this so much!
https://www.searedandshameless.com
Yes!! Thanks Jessica!!
I’m making this tonight! I love it when I see a recipe whose ingredients I already have at home 🙂 any chance to skip the grocery store after work for me!
Totally agree!! Running to the store is always a drag!!
Hope you love it!!
I’m loving all of your zucchini recipes!!!
Thanks Rebecca!
Adore this!!!
Thanks Cassandra!
Euhhhh YUMMMM !
This goes straight on top of my list for next week lunch !
YAY! Hope you love it!
Thank you soooo much for this. I have been searching for new zucchini recipes and have come up very short of one’s that are actually good for you. Can’t wait to try this next week!
Yay! So happy you found my recipe!! Hope you love it!!
My family made your souper rice with chicken.
On top they put a layer of potato chips and cheese and bake it in the oven.
I used cream of chicken soup also no mushrooms for me.
Hi Nancy!! So happy they liked it!! I have used cream of chicken as well!! My brothers don’t like the mushrooms either!
This looks so comforting! I love that you replaced the rice with the zucchini rice! 🙂
Ah I love the zucchini rice!! So happy you do to! Thank you Emily!!
Hi, you list milk in description, but not in recipe- do you add milk?
Thanks!
Hey Liz! So sorry! I have fixed the recipe. You add the milk with the chicken broth. Let me know if you have questions. Thanks!
This looks like something my preschooler will actually eat! Trying it next week 😉
I hope so!! Thanks Emily!!
Maybe I didn’t read closely enough, but I see milk in the ingredients list and nowhere in the directions. When do you add the milk? Thanks so much! I can’t wait to make it.
So sorry about that! Fixed the recipe, but you add the milk with the chicken broth. Hope you love this! Thanks!!
Yum! I can’t wait to try this with Quinoa!
Thanks!!!
I hope you love it Gretchen!!
Can you substitute brown rice? Do you think it would change the amount of liquid needed or the cook time?
Hey Emily!! I am sure you can use brown rice, but yes, I think the cooking time will be longer. I am not sure on the liquid as I have not tried it. I would say add 1/2 more water and 30 minutes longer to the cooking time, but again I have not tried this so I cannot say for sure. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thank you so much and hope you love this!
This was delicious! I added in half a bag of frozen peas and a full container of fresh, sliced mushrooms, and it’s even better!
I am so happy to hear that! Thank you Erin!
Absolutely loved this! I was hesitant to try it because I haven’t liked turmeric very much in the past, but I’m glad I gave it a shot! I made do with what I had on hand, so I used regular yellow onions, powdered garlic, fresh ginger and precooked spinach. Will definitely be making this again!
Hello! In the description you talk about a can of cream of mushroom but I don’t see it listed in the ingredients or in the recipe. Am I missing something? I have only had one cup of coffee this morning, so…
Hey! There is no cream of mushroom in this recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
Hi there,
Should I be adding a can of soup somewhere or is this recipe made without a can of soup?!
I saw in your description soup, but then not listed in the ingredients!
Thanks!
Hi Lizzie,
No soup here, just follow the instructions as is:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I’m excited to try this! Do you think it would be a good make ahead meal? Thx!
Hi Esther,
Unfortunately I wouldn’t recommend making this dish too far in advance at the rice would end up getting soggy. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Can I use just boxed rice? Not much of a cook
Hey Tamatha,
I would not recommend using instant rice. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan