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    Home » Casseroles

    Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

    Published: Oct 19, 2023 by Kristin 10 Comments

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    Looking for a comforting and delicious meal that the whole family will love? Look no further than Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole. This classic dish combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and gooey cheese into one satisfyingly flavorful bite. Whether you’re in need of a quick weeknight dinner or want to impress guests at your next gathering, this timeless casserole is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

    cheesy chicken casserole baked in the oven and ready to serve

     

    About this Cheesy Chicken Rice Casserole

    One of my favorite things to make for dinner is a casserole. Not only are they budget friendly and easy to prepare, but most of the time they can be prepared ahead of time making them perfect for busy nights. Most casseroles are simple to make and use ingredients you already have on hand.

    This Chicken and Rice Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor! Tender chicken, rice, cheese, and cream of chicken soup combine to create a meal the entire family will enjoy. You can even slip in some broccoli, peas, or corn to make this a full one-pan meal! Not only does this casserole taste incredible, but the aroma that fills the house while cooking will have everyone asking when dinner will be ready.

    chicken, rice, and cheese combined into a comfort food meal

     

    Ingredients Needed for this cheesy chicken rice casserole:

    • Chicken- boneless, skinless chicken breast cooked and shredded or diced
    • Rice (not minute rice) brown or white rice works
    • Cheddar Cheese– try to use freshly shredded as the bagged cheese have an additive to prevent clumping that doesn’t allow for melting easily
    • Salt/Pepper- to taste
    • Cream of Chicken Soup- 10.5 oz can
    • Water
    • Lipton Onion Soup Mix

    all the ingredients needed to make chicken casserole

     

    Recipe Variations

    • Cut up pieces of broccoli or carrots go perfectly in this recipe
    • Feel free to add mushrooms, onions, peppers, or any other vegetable desired
    • Homemade cream of chicken soup works good in this recipe if you don’t want to use canned
    • Cream of mushroom soup, celery, broccoli, and potato are all great alternative options to the cream of chicken
    • Chicken Thighs can be used in this recipe in place of the chicken breasts
    • Feel free to use chicken broth in lieu of water for added flavor
    • Have fun with seasonings to make it your own. Dried herbs, minced garlic, or garlic powder make great additions.

    Layers of Your Casserole

    1. The bottom layer, rice. Uncooked at this point.
    2. Next in line, shredded cheese, salt and pepper.
    3. Followed by- – cream of chicken soup.
    4. Then, Lipton Onion Soup and a cheese layer.

    How to make Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

    With a few simple steps, this casserole is oven ready in just a few minutes! Scroll below for full recipe card!

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish.
    2. Layer the bottom of pan with the rice.
    3. Add 1 cup of cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and chicken to the top of the rice.
    4. Spread the 2 cans of cream of chicken soup over the chicken.
    5. Pour water on top of mixture, followed by the Lipton onion mix. No need to stir.
    6. Place pan carefully into the preheated oven and allow to bake for 90 minutes. If using brown rice, add about 10 minutes to the baking time.
    7. Once cooked, remove from oven and sprinkle an additional 1/2 cup cheese on top. Bake an additional 5-10 minutes and serve! You can garnish with parsley for additional color.

    step by step on how to make cheesy chicken and rice casserole

    What to Serve with this Casserole

    This casserole can be served on its own, or with a side or steamed veggies, a side salad, or a bread item. We love Parmesan Roasted Brussel Sprouts or Garlic Asparagus with ours! In the summer months, a nice Chopped Caprese Salad makes a wonderful side option!

    Storage

    • Refrigerator: store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
    • Freezer: Do not bake the casserole. Tightly wrap the dish in a few layers of plastic wrap or foil, pressing out any air. Freeze up to 4 months. Allow to thaw once ready to cook and proceed with cooking instructions.

    an up close look at a scoop of casserole served in a bowl

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    Do you cook the rice before putting it in a casserole?

    For this casserole, there is no need to cook the rice first. You will simply add the uncooked rice to your casserole dish.

    Can you freeze chicken and rice casserole?

    Yes! You can either freeze this prior to baking it and simply thaw, place in oven as directed, and enjoy. Or you can freeze leftover casserole in a freezer safe container for up to 4 months. Thaw and reheat leftovers using the microwave.

    How do you spice up a bland casserole?

    Add your favorite spices. Dried herbs such as Italian seasoning, pepper, garlic, or all-purpose seasoning are great additions.

    portions of chicken casserole served with crusty bread

    If you love casseroles, try these other favorites:

    Casseroles are a family favorite meal option. They are budget friendly and delicious. Whether you want a side dish or a full meal, check out these great choices to add to your next menu. Be sure to bookmark these, print out the recipes, or pin them to Pinterest.

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole– tender pasta with chicken, bacon, and Ranch seasoning combined into a flavorful casserole

    Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole– layers of pasta, cheese, sauce, and meat combined into a creamy spaghetti dish

    Parmesan Chicken Casserole– using only 5 ingredients, this chicken casserole is melt in your mouth scrumptious with every bite

    Chicken Pot Pie Bubble Up Casserole– a one pan meal the entire family will love. All the flavors of classic chicken pot pie are combined into one pan.

     

    cheesy chicken bake served in bowls with bread

     

    This Chicken and Cheesy Rice Casserole is a classic comfort food that never fails to satisfy. With its creamy texture, savory flavors, and simple preparation, it has become a staple dish in many households. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing dish for potlucks and family gatherings, this casserole is sure to be a hit. So grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and indulge in the deliciousness of cheesy chicken and rice casserole – it’s bound to become a favorite in your house!

    cheesy chicken bake served in bowls with bread
    Print Recipe
    4.27 from 49 votes

    Easy Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

    Savor the taste of home-cooked goodness with our cheesy chicken and rice casserole. With its golden crust, gooey cheese, and perfectly seasoned chicken, it's sure to become an instant family favorite.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Total Time1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: casserole, cheesy, cheesy chicken and rice casserole, chicken, chicken and rice casserole
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 436kcal
    Author: The Cookin' Chicks

    Equipment

    • 9x13 baking pan

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb chicken *boneless/skinless, diced
    • 2 cups uncooked rice *brown or white works, not Instant
    • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese *shredded
    • salt/pepper
    • 2 cans cream of chicken soup *10.5 oz cans
    • 3 cups water
    • 1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9 x 13 baking dish.
    • Layer the bottom of pan with the rice.
      uncooked white rice layered on the bottom of a casserole pan
    • Add 1 cup of cheddar cheese, salt pepper, and chicken to the top of the rice.
      shredded chicken on top of cheese and rice
    • Spread the 2 cans of cream of chicken soup over the chicken.
      cream of chicken soup spread of chicken and rice
    • Pour water on top, followed by the Lipton onion mix.
      lipton onion soup over chicken and rice to create a flavorful dish
    • Place pan carefully into the preheated oven, and allow to bake for 90 minutes. If using brown rice, add about 10 minutes to the baking time.
    • Once cooked, remove from oven and sprinkle an additional 1/2 cup cheddar cheese on top. Bake an additional 5 minutes to allow cheese to melt.
      a one pan meal of cheesy chicken and rice
    • Enjoy!!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 436kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 745mg | Potassium: 215mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 335IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 238mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @TheCookinChicks or tag #TheCookinChicks!

     

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    Welcome to The Cookin' Chicks…I am so glad you've stopped by! I am Kristin, a busy mom of 3, a wife, and a family chef! There are three things that motivate me each day - Family, Faith, and FOOD! I, along with the occasional help of friends and family, want to share my food creations with you! So, I invite you to join me around my dinner table through the recipes that I will share with you here. I hope you will enjoy the journey as much as I do!

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