May Evening Comfort: Exactly 5 ingredients. It is perfect when you need a hot meal with zero standing at the hot stove.

This cozy casserole is my kind of May evening comfort food: five ingredients, everything done in the oven, and absolutely no standing at the stove. Think of it as a cross between a baked chicken and rice hot dish and the creamy casseroles many of us grew up with in the Midwest, but with a glossy, roasted, almost gelatinous top from the slow-baked broth and cream. It’s the kind of meal you throw together in 10 minutes, slide into the oven, and forget about while you deal with the rest of your evening—then pull out a bubbling glass dish of pure comfort.

I like to scoop this into shallow bowls and top with a little extra black pepper and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley if I have it around. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or some steamed frozen veggies balances out the richness without extra work. Warm rolls or buttered toast soldiers are perfect for soaking up the glossy, savory sauce that settles at the bottom of the dish. If you’re feeding a crowd, set the casserole dish right on the table with a big spoon and let everyone help themselves family-style.

Servings: 4

1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch glass casserole dish so the rice doesn’t stick too much.

Pour the uncooked long-grain white rice evenly into the bottom of the glass casserole dish. Shake the dish gently so the rice forms a fairly even layer.

In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the low-sodium chicken broth and the condensed cream of chicken soup until mostly smooth. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just combined so there aren’t big clumps.

Slowly pour the broth and soup mixture over the rice in the casserole dish, tilting the dish if needed so the liquid reaches all corners. Do not stir; the rice will cook in place under the chicken.

Pat the boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then lay them in a single layer over the rice and liquid. It’s fine if they overlap slightly, but try to cover most of the surface so the top will roast into a glossy, gelatinous layer.

Sprinkle the combined kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper evenly over the chicken thighs. This simple seasoning helps the top brown and gives the sauce good flavor.

Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil. Slide it into the preheated oven and bake, covered, for 45 minutes. This lets the rice absorb most of the liquid and start to turn soft and creamy underneath.

After 45 minutes, carefully remove the foil (watch for steam) and return the uncovered dish to the oven. Bake for another 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken thighs are cooked through (165°F in the thickest part), the rice is tender, and the top has turned glossy and lightly browned with a slightly gelatinous, roasted layer of sauce around the edges.

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest, uncovered, for 10 minutes. This short rest helps the sauce thicken into that spoonable, silky texture and keeps the rice from being too loose.

To serve, scoop down through the roasted top layer so you get a bit of the glossy chicken, creamy rice, and savory sauce in every portion. Taste and add a pinch more salt or pepper at the table if needed.

If you want to change things up without adding more ingredients, you can swap the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom or cream of celery for a slightly different flavor while still keeping the recipe at exactly five ingredients. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs, but check for doneness 5 to 10 minutes earlier so they don’t dry out; thighs stay juicier and contribute more to that gelatinous, roasted top. For a little extra texture, you can broil the uncovered casserole for 2 to 3 minutes at the very end to deepen the browning on the top layer—just watch closely so it doesn’t scorch. For meal prep, assemble the dish in the morning, cover, and refrigerate; when you’re ready to bake, set it out on the counter while the oven preheats and add 5 to 10 extra minutes to the covered baking time, making sure the chicken reaches 165°F. Food safety tips: Always use a clean cutting board and knife for the raw chicken, and wash your hands and surfaces thoroughly before touching anything else. Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F, measured in the thickest part, and that any leftovers are cooled and refrigerated within 2 hours. Leftovers reheat well in the microwave; add a splash of broth or water if they seem dry, cover, and heat until steaming hot throughout.