1-First Step: Prep the oven and baking dish Preheat your oven to 325°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish or glass baking pan with cooking spray. This simple first step keeps the chicken and rice bake from sticking and makes cleanup much easier later.

2-Second Step: Place the chicken in the dish Arrange 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts in the prepared dish. Season them with salt and pepper to taste. If you want a little more flavor, you can also add a pinch of garlic powder or paprika, but keep the seasoning light so the soup mix can still shine.

3-Third Step: Add the rice Spread 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice evenly over the chicken. This is the rice that will cook right in the casserole, so there is no need to boil it first. Long grain white rice works best here because it stays pleasantly tender and does not get overly soft during the long bake time.

4-Fourth Step: Sprinkle on the onion soup mix Open 1 ounce of dry onion soup mix, or use homemade if you prefer, and sprinkle it evenly over the rice. This layer gives the casserole its savory, familiar flavor. It is one of the reasons this simple chicken rice casserole tastes like a comforting family dinner with almost no effort.

5-Fifth Step: Mix the soup and water In a small bowl, combine 10.5 ounces condensed cream of mushroom soup with 1 1/2 cups water. Stir until smooth. This mixture turns the casserole creamy enough to cook the rice while also keeping the chicken moist.

6-Sixth Step: Pour and cover Pour the soup mixture evenly over the chicken, rice, and onion soup mix. Make sure the liquid reaches all parts of the dish so the rice cooks evenly. Then cover the pan tightly with foil or a matching lid. A tight seal traps steam, which helps the rice become tender during baking.

7-Seventh Step: Bake until tender Place the covered casserole in the oven and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through. Depending on your oven, the bake time may need to be extended by up to 25 minutes. If the rice still feels firm after the first bake time, give it a little longer and check again every 5 to 10 minutes.

8-Eighth Step: Rest and serve Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This gives the rice time to settle and makes the texture even better. Spoon it onto plates while it is warm and creamy. If you like, add chopped parsley, extra black pepper, or a few sautéed mushrooms on top.