As I’m sure many of you know, we do not have under-seasoned food here at Growing Up Garlicky. This incredibly flavorful buffalo ranch chicken and rice is no exception. This casserole is bursting with flavor from the buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, bacon, blue cheese and more. So, let’s get started on how to make it so you can create an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
Specialty Kitchen Equipment and Ingredients
In order to make my buffalo ranch chicken and rice casserole, these are the kitchen items you should have on hand. These are simply recommendations but I find that using these items is helpful for me.
In terms of ingredients, there are a couple things you may not have on hand that you’ll want to look for at the grocery store. First of all, you’ll definitely want some Buffalo sauce. I recommend using Frank’s Red Hot. Next, I use blue cheese crumbles both in the casserole itself and on top as a garnish. We love the flavor of blue cheese here, but if you’re not as big of a fan, you could likely get away without using it. Just be aware that it may change the flavor or texture of the dish since I’ve never made it without.
Pictures of Buffalo Ranch Chicken and Rice Casserole
Here you can see just how much flavor and deliciousness is in this dish. In the pictures you can view the basics of how I make this recipe by searing up the chicken, then sautéing veggies and creating the sauce. Then we add our cheese, bacon, and rice. Once the rice has finished cooking, we then add broccoli, let it steam and then finish the dish off with some garnishes. This is a super simple one pot dish that anyone can make.
Recipe
One Pot Buffalo Ranch Chicken and Rice Casserole
Equipment
- 6 qt Dutch oven or large pot
- Microwave safe bowl
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 medium-large chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 4 stalks celery, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/3 cup Buffalo sauce, such as Frank’s Red Hot Add more or less depending on how much spice you like. This recipe is on the not-so-spicy side.
- 1/3 cup Ranch dressing, such as Hidden Valley
- 3 oz blue cheese crumbles, plus more to garnish
- 6 strips cooked bacon, crumbled
- 2 cups long grain white rice We used jasmine rice in this casserole.
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 crown broccoli, cut into bite sized florets.
- 3 green onions, sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a 6 qt Dutch oven or large pot over medium high heat.
- While the olive oil heats up, season chicken breasts with all seasonings. Toss well to fully coat all sides.
- When the oil is hot, add chicken and brown on all sides for 5-7 minutes.
- Add onion, celery and garilc. Saute stirring occasionally until the onions and celery have softened, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- While the chicken mixture cooks, melt butter in a microwavable bowl. Whisk in Buffalo sauce and Ranch dressing until a smooth sauce is formed. Taste and adjust Buffalo sauce according to your personal preferences.
- Add sauce to the pan with the chicken and vegetables. Stir to coat all ingredients. Add blue cheese and stir until the cheese melts into the sauce. Add the bacon and stir well.
- Add rice, stirring to fully coat in the buffalo sauce mixture. Add chicken broth, increase heat to high and bring to a boil.
- Once the chicken broth has reached a rolling boil, reduce heat to low and cover for 15 minutes to allow the rice to cook.
- Uncover, then stir in the broccoli and cover again for 7-10 minutes or until the broccoli is tender-crisp.
- Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Top with green onions and blue cheese crumbles.
- Serve and enjoy!
This easy recipe is sure to be a hit. Jam-packed with flavor, this buffalo ranch chicken and rice is the perfect recipe for busy worknights. Even my toddler loved this meal and I guarantee your family will too.
If you like this recipe and want to see more like it, make sure you check out my recipes page or any of the recipes posted below. Also, if you subscribe to Growing Up Garlicky, you’ll receive weekly updates so you never miss a delicious dish which I post every Friday. Lastly, make sure you leave a comment with any feedback. I love hearing from you. Thanks everyone!
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