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🥘 Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole – A Comforting One-Dish Wonder

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When it comes to hearty, no-fuss meals that the whole family can enjoy, it’s hard to beat a warm, bubbly Chicken Rice Casserole. This recipe is the ultimate comfort food: tender chicken, perfectly cooked rice, and a creamy, savory sauce, all baked together in one dish. It’s rich, flavorful, and the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out.

Whether you’re a busy parent looking for a reliable weeknight dinner, meal prepping for the week ahead, or feeding a hungry crowd, this chicken rice casserole is a time-saving and budget-friendly option that never fails to satisfy.

In this detailed recipe guide, you’ll learn everything from the ingredients and equipment you need, to step-by-step instructions, variations for different diets, helpful cooking tips, and much more. Let’s dive in!

🔧 Recipe Preparation Equipment

Here’s what you’ll need to prepare and bake your chicken rice casserole:

  • 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Whisk
  • Aluminum foil (for covering the dish while baking)
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Spatula or spoon for serving

🛒 Ingredients

This recipe keeps it simple with pantry staples and minimal prep. Here’s what you’ll need:

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups uncooked long grain white rice (not instant or quick-cooking)
  • 2–3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or use a second can of cream of chicken)
  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth or water
  • 1 cup milk (whole milk or 2% preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter (optional, for added richness)

Optional Add-ins:

  • 1 cup frozen peas or mixed vegetables
  • ½ cup sautéed mushrooms
  • 1/2 diced onion
  • Crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs (for crunchy topping)

👨‍🍳 How to Make Easy Chicken Rice Casserole

Let’s break down this recipe into simple, easy-to-follow steps.

🥄 Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray or a thin layer of butter to prevent sticking.

🥄 Step 2: Combine the Base Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

🥄 Step 3: Add Rice and Chicken

Add the uncooked rice to the soup mixture and stir to combine. Then add your uncooked diced chicken and mix everything together until the rice and chicken are well coated in the creamy mixture.

🥄 Step 4: Transfer to Casserole Dish

Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly using a spatula. If you’re adding vegetables or mushrooms, stir them in at this stage.

🥄 Step 5: Cover and Bake

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. This allows the rice to absorb all the liquid and become tender.

🥄 Step 6: Add Cheese and Finish Baking

After 50 minutes, remove the foil. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.

🥄 Step 7: Let It Rest and Serve

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5–10 minutes to set. This helps the mixture thicken slightly and makes serving easier. Garnish with a little chopped parsley and serve hot.

🌀 Variations

This chicken rice casserole is endlessly customizable! Try these tasty variations:

🧀 Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole

Add 1 cup steamed broccoli florets and increase cheese to 2 cups total.

🥕 Veggie-Packed

Stir in frozen peas, corn, carrots, or sautéed mushrooms before baking.

🍗 Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut

Use pre-cooked shredded rotisserie chicken instead of raw; reduce bake time by 10 minutes.

🌾 Wild Rice Blend

Use a wild rice blend for a more earthy, chewy texture—but increase baking time by 10–15 minutes and add ½ cup extra broth.

🥓 Bacon Lover’s Version

Top with cooked, crumbled bacon before baking uncovered with cheese.

🌶️ Tex-Mex Twist

Add taco seasoning to the soup mixture, use Mexican cheese blend, and stir in diced tomatoes or green chiles.

🍴 Cooking Notes

  • Do not use instant rice—it will become mushy.
  • Always cover the dish tightly for the first part of baking so the rice steams and cooks properly.
  • Make sure chicken pieces are evenly sized for even cooking.
  • The dish will continue to thicken as it cools—don’t worry if it looks a little runny when you take it out.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

This casserole is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but it also pairs well with:

  • Green salad with vinaigrette
  • Steamed green beans or asparagus
  • Dinner rolls or crusty French bread
  • Roasted Brussels sprouts
  • Applesauce or fruit salad for a kid-friendly side

💡 Helpful Tips

  • If you like a crisp topping, sprinkle crushed crackers or breadcrumbs over the cheese before the final bake.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven at 325°F until warmed through.
  • Freeze leftovers in individual portions for up to 2 months—thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

⏱️ Prep & Cooking Time

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 60–65 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

📊 Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Approx. 6–8 servings)

  • Calories: 420
  • Protein: 32g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fat: 18g
  • Sodium: 870mg
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Fiber: 1g

Nutrition varies based on ingredients used and portion size.

❓ FAQs

Q: Can I use brown rice?

Yes, but you’ll need to bake longer (70–80 minutes) and increase the liquid by ½ cup.

Q: What if my rice is undercooked?

Cover the dish and return to the oven for 10–15 more minutes, adding a splash of broth if needed.

Q: Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the dish and refrigerate it (unbaked) up to 24 hours in advance. Bring to room temperature before baking.

Q: Can I make this casserole without canned soup?

Yes. Use a homemade roux with butter, flour, milk, and chicken stock to create a cream sauce base.

Q: Is this freezer-friendly?

Absolutely. Freeze the whole baked casserole or individual portions. Thaw overnight and reheat at 350°F until warm.

🏁 Conclusion

Creamy, hearty, and easy to prepare, this Chicken Rice Casserole is everything you want in a comfort food classic. It’s a one-pan meal that feeds a crowd, freezes well, and can be customized a dozen different ways.

Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or meal prepping for the week, this cozy dish will become a go-to in your dinner rotation. Best of all, with just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll be sitting down to a wholesome, homemade meal in no time.

So grab your casserole dish, preheat that oven, and let this creamy, cheesy, savory comfort food do the rest. 🍽️

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