Savory Chicken and Bell Pepper Casserole with Creamy Gravy over Rice
This hearty and flavorful dish combines tender boneless chicken breasts with vibrant bell peppers and a rich, creamy mushroom gravy. A delightful blend of seasonings, including garlic and onion, creates depth in every bite. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe allows the flavors to meld together beautifully in your crock pot, making the chicken juicy and the gravy luxuriously thick. Serve it over fluffy whole grain rice for a complete and satisfying meal that your family will love. Great for leftovers too, this dish can easily become a staple in your dinner rotation!
4
Servings
300
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 (trimmed)
garlic powder
to taste (sprinkled)
season salt
to taste (sprinkled)
green pepper
1 (cut into strips)
red pepper
1 (cut into strips)
yellow pepper
1 (cut into strips)
dry onion soup mix
1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope (opened)
98% fat-free condensed mushroom soup
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can (opened)
light ranch salad dressing
1/4 cup (measured)
diet cola
1-2 cups (measured)
flour
2 tablespoons (measured)
water
1/4 cup (measured)
whole grain rice
3 cups (for cooking)
Instructions
1
Start by placing the trimmed chicken breasts in the bottom of your crock pot. Season them generously with garlic powder and season salt.
2
Prepare the bell peppers by cutting off their tops and removing the seeds. Slice each pepper into long strips, then layer them on top of the chicken in the crock pot.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the dry onion soup mix, condensed mushroom soup, light ranch dressing, and diet cola. Stir well until the mixture is smooth.
4
Pour the combined mixture over the chicken and peppers in the crock pot, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
5
Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. It's best to cook it on low to allow the flavors to develop fully.
6
After the initial cooking time, mix the flour and water in a small bowl until smooth. Turn the crock pot to high and add the flour mixture to thicken the gravy. Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
7
While the gravy thickens, prepare the whole grain rice according to the package instructions.
8
Once the gravy has thickened and the chicken is cooked through, serve the chicken and peppers topped with the creamy gravy over a generous portion of rice.
Nutrition Information
6.25g
Fat
40g
Carbs
20g
Protein
4g
Fiber
3g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Savory Chicken and Bell Pepper Casserole?
It is a hearty crock pot dish featuring chicken breasts, colorful bell peppers, and a creamy mushroom gravy served over whole grain rice.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
What are the cooking times for the slow cooker?
You can cook the casserole on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours.
What ingredients are needed for the gravy?
The gravy is made from dry onion soup mix, condensed mushroom soup, light ranch dressing, and diet cola.
How do you thicken the gravy?
Mix 2 tablespoons of flour with 1/4 cup of water, add it to the crock pot, and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes.
What kind of chicken is used?
The recipe calls for 4 trimmed boneless skinless chicken breasts.
What types of bell peppers are used?
The recipe uses one green, one red, and one yellow bell pepper cut into strips.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it uses lean chicken, fat-free soup, light dressing, and whole grain rice, making it a balanced meal.
Why is diet cola used in the recipe?
Diet cola helps tenderize the chicken and adds moisture to the sauce without adding extra sugar.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving provides 20 grams of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
There is 6.25 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 40 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Does this dish contain fiber?
Yes, each serving contains 4 grams of fiber.
What seasonings are used for the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with garlic powder and season salt to taste.
What type of rice should I serve this with?
The recipe recommends serving the chicken and gravy over 3 cups of cooked whole grain rice.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
There are 3 grams of sugar per serving.
How do I prepare the peppers?
Cut off the tops, remove the seeds, and slice the peppers into long strips.
Can I use a different type of soup?
While the recipe specifies 98% fat-free condensed mushroom soup, you could likely substitute with cream of chicken or celery.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is great for leftovers and the flavors continue to meld together beautifully.
Should I cook on high or low for better flavor?
The recipe recommends cooking on low to allow the flavors to develop fully.
What size is the onion soup mix?
Use one 1 1/4 ounce envelope of dry onion soup mix.
How much ranch dressing is required?
You will need 1/4 cup of light ranch salad dressing.
Do I need to brown the chicken first?
No, the chicken is placed raw and trimmed directly into the bottom of the crock pot.
When do I cook the rice?
Prepare the rice according to package instructions while the gravy is thickening during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Is there a specific way to layer the crock pot?
Place chicken at the bottom, then peppers, then pour the mixed liquid ingredients over the top.
What category of food does this fall into?
It is categorized as a savory comfort food dish.
Can I use frozen chicken?
While the recipe uses trimmed fresh breasts, if using frozen, ensure they are fully thawed or adjust cooking times safely.
Is the sodium content listed?
Sodium information is not provided for this specific recipe data.