Description

This Easy French Onion Chicken Rice Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender shredded barbecue chicken with creamy French onion dip, sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and melted cheeses layered over warm basmati rice, then finished under a high grill for a golden cheesy topping. Perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables & Herbs

200 g button mushrooms, thinly sliced
3 green shallots, finely chopped (divided)
120 g baby spinach

Dairy

30 g Coles Australian Salted Butter
400 g French onion dip (2 x 200g tubs)
125 ml pouring cream
80 g mozzarella, coarsely grated
80 g Coles Cheddar Cheese, coarsely grated

Protein

1 barbecue chicken, skin and bones removed, meat shredded (approximately 400–500 g cooked meat)

Grains

450 g microwave basmati rice, warmed (1 packet)

Instructions

Sauté Vegetables: Melt the salted butter in a large, deep frying pan over high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and three-quarters of the chopped green shallots. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes or until softened. Add the baby spinach and stir until it wilts.
Add Creamy Components and Chicken: Stir in the French onion dip, pouring cream, and shredded barbecue chicken into the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, gently combining all ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your grill to high. Spoon the warmed microwave basmati rice evenly into the base of a 1.5-liter baking dish. Carefully layer the chicken and vegetable mixture over the rice, spreading evenly.
Add Cheese and Grill: Sprinkle the coarsely grated mozzarella and cheddar cheeses over the top of the chicken mixture. Place the dish under the preheated grill and cook for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Serve: Remove the bake from the grill and sprinkle the remaining chopped shallots on top as a fresh garnish. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Ensure to remove skin and bones from the barbecue chicken before shredding for the best texture.
Use warmed rice to speed up the cooking process and ensure even heating.
Adjust seasoning as French onion dip and barbecue chicken may already contain salt.
If you do not have a grill, a hot oven broil setting can be used to melt and brown the cheese.
For extra flavor, add a pinch of black pepper or a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce to the chicken mixture while simmering.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Australian

Keywords: French onion chicken, chicken rice bake, easy dinner, one dish meal, cheesy chicken bake, barbecued chicken recipe