Creamy Honey-Mustard Chicken Casserole

Calling all honey mustard lovers: our Creamy Honey-Mustard Chicken Casserole is classic comfort with a tasty new twist! This weeknight casserole starts with fork-tender and protein-rich chicken breast, guaranteed to help curb hunger for hours. The onions, peas-and-carrots blend and brown rice will all help you reach your fiber goals—great for your digestive health. This all bakes in a deliciously sharp and sweet honey and Dijon mustard cream sauce. It’s chicken and rice at its very best. The scallions add a punch of freshness and color to pull it all together. Honey mustard can be much more than just a dipping sauce, and this casserole really lets it shine with all its sweet and tangy glory. Keep reading for our expert tips on steps you don’t want to skip, smart substitutions and more! 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• The microwaveable rice will cook simultaneously with the other ingredients, so you don’t need to heat it beforehand.
• To reduce the time in the oven, we cook the sauce on the stovetop until it’s slightly thickened. This prevents the vegetables and rice from becoming mushy.
• We chose the convenience of using frozen vegetables, but you’re welcome to use fresh.

Nutrition Notes

• Chicken breasts are packed with muscle-building protein. Chicken is also a good source of choline, which is an essential nutrient for brain health. Choline helps make an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for the regulation of mood, memory and cognitive function. It’s also an essential nutrient for brain development in infants and toddlers. 
• Frozen peas and carrots are a convenient way to get more veggies in this dish. Peas add protein to this recipe, and carrots are rich in inflammation-fighting beta carotene. Both peas and carrots have potassium, which can help reduce sodium levels in the body—great for your heart health. 
• Brown rice is an excellent grain choice if you’re trying to get more fiber in your diet. It also has a slight edge over white rice in protein content. Brown rice is a natural source of many B vitamins, which are essential for optimal metabolic health.