Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken

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Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken Recipe is the easiest, and tastiest, chicken and rice recipe ever! If you’re looking for chicken casseroles that practically cook themselves, Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken is the ideal choice.

When this casserole is cooking, you might be tempted to lift the foil and see how it’s coming along. But don’t peek! You want the rice to steam. Keep the foil in place while the meal cooks.

What I Love About Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken Recipe

This Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken recipe is comfort food without a lot of work. It is quick to make and uses only one pan. I love that this recipe has:

It takes very little time to prepare
Ingredients commonly found in the pantry
No-hands cooking
Easy cleanup

Why Is It Called No-Peek Chicken?

Once the aluminum foil is placed over the casserole, there’s literally no peeking!

Although tempting, it’s important to let the chicken and rice bake in their own juices. The steam will cook the rice and chicken to perfection. It will keep the chicken moist and tender.

Ingredient Notes

Cooking Time: Since oven temperatures vary, the exact cooking time will vary. If after 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, the rice is not done and the liquid has not absorbed, cover and continue cooking.
Chicken: Chicken thighs can also be used in this recipe if you have them on hand. You may need to increase the cooking time if your chicken is bone-in.
Dry onion soup mix: If you are concerned about the added salt in pre-packaged onion soup mixes, you can create your own blend with beef bouillon, dehydrated onion flakes, celery seed and onion powder. A sprinkle of garlic powder will enhance the flavor.
Cream soups: If your picky eaters don’t like mushroom soup, try substituting another flavor of condensed cream soup, such as cream of celery or cream of onion.
Worcestershire sauce: If you don’t have Worcestershire sauce or just don’t like the taste, you can substitute pantry staples that are probably already in your kitchen. A mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and lemon juice also works.
Rice: You can use white or brown rice as long as it is long grain. The brand usually doesn’t matter, but uses quality rice.
Peeking: You should not do it. The results are catastrophic. (Kidding)

How To Make Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken?

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Prepare a 9X13 inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.
Whisk together the soups, chicken broth, onion soup mix, Italian seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce in the prepared baking dish.
Mix until evenly combined then add the rice and mix in.
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper then place it over the rice mixture.
Cover the baking dish completely with aluminum foil making sure the seal is tight.
Bake everything in the preheated oven for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until your chicken is cooked through and rice is tender. (Don’t worry, since the chicken is covered it will not brown!)
Garnish your Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken with parsley and serve.

Can I Use Frozen Chicken For Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken Recipe?

Yes, It’s fine, as long as the chicken you bought thaws quickly. If in doubt, make sure the internal temperature is at least 165°F.

What Are The Best Types Of Rice For Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken Recipe?

Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken Recipe works best with white rice since it turns really fluffy. You can also use wild rice, brown rice, or Uncle Bob’s long grain rice but these may need a longer cooking time.

Recipe Variations

Instead of boneless skinless chicken breasts, use chicken tenders.
Chicken thighs without bones can also be used. They are usually juicier and more flavorful.
Instead of chicken, you can use bone-in or boneless pork chops.
If you like, you can use cream of celery soup in place of cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom soup.
For a cheesy casserole dish, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken and rice mixture about 5 minutes before serving, keeping the aluminum foil off so the cheese melts.

Recipe Tips

You can also use chicken tenders if you’re in a hurry. The smaller pieces of chicken will shorten the baking time by 20 to 30 minutes.
You can also use cream of chicken soup in place of the cream of mushroom soup, or double the amount of cream of celery soup.
Reduce sodium by choosing a low-sodium cream of mushroom soup. It will taste just as good!
You can also use other types of rice in this recipe, including wild rice and white rice. Uncle Ben’s has a wide variety to choose from.
If you use thin chicken breasts, you can reduce the cooking time to one hour.
In my opinion, everything is better with cheese, including Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken casserole. If you would like to make this a cheesy casserole, remove the aluminum foil during the last five minutes. Sprinkle 1 to 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese on top. Then cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

FAQ Section

Can I Add Cheese To Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken?

Yes, more cheese is always a great idea, a cheesy Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken casserole will hit the spot.

How to Store Your Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken?

No Peek Chicken from Pioneer Woman can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. Just make sure the container is air-tight.

Can I freeze Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken?

Yes, Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken can also be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Freeze it in small portions for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

How To Reheat Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken?

When you’re ready to eat the Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken, simply remove it from the freezer, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, and then reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F until the chicken is thoroughly heated.

Do You Cook the Rice Before Adding it into the Casserole?

No, the rice will cook. In an hour, raw rice will probably cook and absorb the liquid. Make sure you cover the dish to keep the steam in. Do not peek!

Can You Use Brown Rice In Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken?

If you’re using brown rice, you may need to cook your No Peek Chicken dish for more than an hour. According to Pioneer Woman, brown rice takes longer to cook than white rice, so be sure to watch the liquid level and make sure the rice is soaking up as much liquid as possible.

Can Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken Made Ahead of Time?

Yes! Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken can be prepared 24 hours in advance. Just cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake. You may have to give it a few extra minutes or let it rest outside of the refrigerator before baking.

How Will I Know if My Pioneer Woman No Peek Chicken is Cooked?

The safe internal temperature of cooked chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. To determine the temperature of your chicken, you can use meat or an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast.