Chicken and Rice Casserole

This easy Chicken and Rice Casserole recipe is one of those vintage casseroles that combines simple pantry ingredients into a meal the whole family will love.

Ingredients to Make Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

What makes the best chicken and rice casserole? That’s a loaded question, it comes down to personal taste most often. There are many variables and most recipes can be adapted with the ingredients you have on hand. This recipe uses uncooked rice long grain rice like Ben’s Original brand, and it cooks with the remaining ingredients and seasonings for added flavor, in the oven. You can also make chicken and rice casserole using cooked rice whether it’s brown rice or wild rice and replace raw chicken with leftover poached, baked or rotisserie chicken. It comes down to the time you have to prep the ingredients. It’s a kid-friendly family favorite casserole meal. Ingredients to make Southern Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe. (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Chicken: 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch bite-sized cubes.
• Rice: 1 1/2 cup uncooked converted long grain rice, not minute rice.
• Liquid: Chicken stock or chicken broth adds moisture to cook the rice.
• Soup: One can cream of chicken soup and one can cream of celery soup gives a creamy texture to the rice.
• Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness and also adds a golden brown color to the top.
• Mayo: This is a surprise ingredient that adds a creaminess to the casserole that’s not detectable.
• Onion: You can use a sweet onion, white onion or a yellow onion for a stronger flavor.
• Chicken Noodle Soup Mix: Seasons the rice and gives it added texture.
• Seasonings: Garlic salt and lemon pepper or black pepper. You can use garlic powder in place of garlic salt.
• Parmesan Cheese: For color and taste.
• Garnish: Finely chopped Italian flat leaf parsley adds color.

How to Make Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole

• Heat Oven and Prepare Dish – Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 13×9-inch deep baking dish with cooking spray.
• Assemble – To the baking dish add uncooked long grain white rice, chicken stock, soups, melted butter, mayonnaise, rice, chicken noodle soup mix, garlic salt, lemon pepper and onion. Stir together until fully combined. (Alternately you may do this in a mixing bowl and pour the mixture into the baking dish.)
• Add Chicken – Arrange cubed chicken breasts on top gently pressing into the mixture. Dot the top with 2 tablespoons butter.
• Cover the Dish with Foil – Cover with foil and bake per the cook time in the recipe.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese – Uncover and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to cook per the recipe just until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed. (You can also top it with 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese at this point)
• Serve – Garnish top with parsley and serve.

Tips for Making Southern Chicken Rice Casserole

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: One 13×9-inch casserole dish or baking pan, measuring cups, teaspoon, tablespoons, whisk, cheese grater.
• Add Cheese: If you’d like to add cheese to the casserole filling you can. 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, colby jack, mozzarella, Monterey jack or Swiss cheese would work.
• Use Long Grain Rice: This recipe uses uncooked long grain white rice not minute rice or instant rice. Should you want to use brown rice or wild rice, both would require a longer cooking time and may require using chicken thighs or whole bone-in chicken breasts in place of skinless chicken breasts, so the chicken doesn’t dry out.
• Serving Suggestions: You can serve this casserole with a green salad, steamed or roasted vegetables, garlic bread or dinner rolls.

Recipe Variations

• Fresh Herbs: Other herbs you may like to add is dried or fresh thyme, fresh basil or oregano or tarragon.
• Soup Substitution: You can use cream of mushroom soup, cream of onion soup, or even cheddar cheese soup in place of cream of celery soup. You could also use two cans of cream of chicken soup.
• Steamed Veggies: You could add 2 cups of chopped steamed broccoli florets or one cup frozen petite peas or one cup mixed frozen vegetables to this chicken and rice casserole. The broccoli should be lightly steamed, the peas can be added frozen and the mixed vegetables should be thawed.
• Cracker Topping: If you’d like to add a crispy topping, toss 1/2 cup of crushed Ritz crackers with one tablespoon melted butter and add it with the Parmesan cheese.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: This Southern Chicken and Rice Casserole can be kept chilled in an airtight container or covered with aluminum foil in the the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat chicken casserole in single servings in the microwave.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

Side Dishes to Serve with Southern Chicken and Rice Casserole

What do you serve with chicken and rice casserole? This casserole is delightful with most any side dish such as simple steamed or roasted vegetables and salads. You can pair it with a side salad of choice whether you like a Caesar salad, a spinach salad or a seven layer salad. A side of homemade honey yeast rolls or cheesy garlic herb bread would round out the meal.

More Easy Chicken Recipes to Make

I have many chicken recipes in the recipe index that you may like to try at home. More casserole recipes to add to the dinner menu:

• Chicken Cordon Bleu Noodle Casserole is a riff on the French classic made in a family friendly casserole.
• Crockpot Chicken and Dressing Casserole is comfort food you can serve straight from your slow cooker.
• French Onion Chicken Noodle Casserole is packed with flavor and a surprise ingredient to make the sauce.
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Casserole is a hearty casserole featuring a triple threat combination of flavors.
• Chicken Parmesan Spaghetti Squash is for those watching their carbs without sacrificing flavor.
• Baked Chicken Roulade from Southern Living.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• 13×9-inch Dish
• Cheese Grater
• Spatula
• Chopping Board and Knives