Rice a Roni Chicken Casserole

This delicious Rice a Roni Chicken Casserole recipe is the perfect comfort food dish. Made with tender chicken, flavorful Rice a Roni, and gooey cheese, it’s sure to become a family favorite! Make ahead and freeze for later, or enjoy any night of the week!

One of my favorite meals to make on a busy weeknight is a hearty casserole! Not only are they the ultimate comfort food, but they can often be made into a one pan meal saving prep time and dishes to clean up! Some blog favorites are my Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole, Ultimate Chicken Casserole, and BEST EVER Chicken and Rice Casserole! This easy Rice a Roni Chicken Bake is one of my go-to favorites because creamy texture, simple ingredients needed, and ease of prep time! Serve with a side of Garlic Cheese Crescents or Mini Garlic Monkey Bread and you have a meal the whole family will enjoy!

Ingredient Notes

Below is a brief overview of each ingredient needed, as well as some substitution options. To see printable recipe card with step by step directions, scroll to the bottom of this post or click the “jump to recipe” button at the top.

• Rice a Roni– you’ll need one box of Rice-a-Roni. I use the chicken flavor, any flavor works. The 6.9 ounce box of flavored rice with seasoning packet.
• Carrots– I used sliced bay carrots, feel free to chop large carrots into small pieces.
• Green Pepper– any flavor bell pepper works, chop into small pieces.
• Onion– I used a white onion, diced. You can also use a yellow onion.
• Spinach– fresh spinach leaves are my favorite, if using frozen spinach, be sure to thaw and squeeze out some of the excess liquid.
• Cream of Chicken Soup– I use low sodium to control the salt count, any brand works great. You can also use cream of mushroom, celery, or cheddar cheese soup.
• Sour Cream– use full fat for the most flavor, however, plain Greek yogurt also works.
• Chicken Breast– I use boneless skinless chicken breasts that I have cooked and shredded. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut as well.
• Salt/ Black Pepper/ Garlic Powder– season to taste and use your favorite blends.
• Shredded Cheese– Cheddar cheese, you can also use Pepper Jack Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese, Swiss Cheese, or Mozzarella if preferred.
• Breadcrumbs– any type works great, I use Panko breadcrumbs. Another great option is to use French fried onions and sprinkle on top before cooking.

Tips for Success

After making this rice a roni casserole for many years, I have found lots of methods that assure success. Here are some of my favorites:

• Be sure to cook the rice a roni according to what the box says on the back.
• During the last 5 minutes of rice cook time, you will stir in the carrots, bell pepper, onion, and spinach to the rice mixture. This allows time for the vegetables to soften.
• This is a full meal on it’s own due to having chicken, rice, and vegetables, however, if you want to serve it as a main dish option, you can pair it with any sides desired from bread options like my Black Angus Cheesy Garlic Bread, a side salad, fresh fruit salad, and more!

Storing Chicken Rice a Roni Casserole

This chicken bake can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to cook. If cooking once the casserole has been chilled, add 10-20 minutes to the cook time to ensure it gets warmed through. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container or aluminum foil covered pan in the fridge up to 5 days. To reheat, place leftover portion on a plate and heat in microwave. You can also reheat using the air fryer at 380 degrees for about 5-10 minutes.

More Dinner Recipes to try

Forgotten Chicken– a super easy, delicious dinner recipe! Chicken breasts, rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and Lipton onion soup mix. Creamy, savory, and absolutely delicious!

Cheesy Beef and Rice Casserole– with a few simple ingredients, you can have a comforting and satisfying meal on the table in no time!

Pork Chop and Rice Casserole– a hearty and comforting meal that your whole family will love. With tender pork chops, fluffy rice, and flavorful seasonings, it's the perfect dish for any occasion.

Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti Bake– perfect for a quick weeknight meal! Featuring tender chicken, flavorful sauce, and cooked spaghetti, it's sure to be a hit with your family!

Italian Noodle Casserole– a pasta recipe that comes together in no time using simple ingredients! Seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce, tender egg noodles, and cheese combine into a beef noodle casserole recipe the entire family will enjoy!