This creamy chicken and rice casserole is a comforting, easy-to-make meal perfect for busy weeknights, featuring tender chicken and fluffy rice baked to perfection. It’s the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table with its inviting aroma and hearty goodness.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, this recipe is designed for simplicity and delicious results, making it a fantastic addition to your family dinner rotation.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This creamy chicken and rice casserole is a comforting, easy-to-make meal perfect for busy weeknights, featuring tender chicken and fluffy rice baked to perfection. It’s designed for simplicity and delicious results, making it a fantastic addition to your family dinner rotation.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little butter to prevent sticking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
3. Add the shredded or diced cooked chicken and the cooked white rice to the creamy soup mixture. Stir gently until all the chicken and rice are evenly coated with the sauce.
4. Fold in 3/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese into the chicken and rice mixture. Stir just until the cheese is distributed throughout.
5. Pour the entire mixture into your prepared 9×13 inch baking dish and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
6. In a small bowl, combine the crushed butter crackers with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Stir until the cracker crumbs are thoroughly coated with butter.
7. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole, then evenly distribute the buttered cracker crumbs on top. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
8. Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: chicken, rice, casserole, creamy, comfort food, easy, weeknight meal, dinner, family friendly, baked
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This creamy chicken and rice casserole is a true weeknight hero, perfect for anyone looking for a satisfying meal without a lot of fuss. It’s ideal for busy parents, individuals craving comfort food, or even new cooks building their kitchen confidence. The beauty of this dish lies in its straightforward preparation and the use of readily available ingredients. You can serve it as a complete meal on its own, making it a fantastic option when you want to minimize cleanup. It’s also a wonderful choice for potlucks or when you need to feed a crowd, as it scales up easily and holds well. The combination of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked rice creates a harmonious flavor profile that appeals to nearly everyone, even picky eaters.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this casserole is simple, and many items are likely already in your pantry. This recipe focuses on convenience and flavor, ensuring you can whip up a delicious dinner without a special trip to the store.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup crushed butter crackers (like Ritz)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
For the cooked chicken, you can use leftover rotisserie chicken, boil and shred chicken breasts, or even use canned chicken for ultimate speed. When it comes to the condensed soups, feel free to use low-sodium versions if you’re watching your salt intake. Any type of milk, from whole to skim, will work fine here, though whole milk will yield a richer sauce. If you don’t have sour cream, plain Greek yogurt can be a good substitute for a slightly tangier flavor. For the cheese, a sharp cheddar adds a nice bite, but mild cheddar or a Colby Jack blend would also be delicious. The crushed butter crackers provide a wonderful buttery crunch, but breadcrumbs or even crushed cornflakes can be used in a pinch.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This creamy chicken and rice casserole is designed for efficiency, getting a hearty meal on your table without hours of effort.
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 25-30 minutes
- Total time: 40-45 minutes
This timing assumes your chicken and rice are already cooked. If you need to cook them from scratch, factor in an additional 20-30 minutes for the rice and 15-20 minutes for the chicken.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this comforting casserole is a breeze. Follow these steps for a perfectly baked, creamy dish every time.
- Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Baking Dish: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little butter to prevent sticking. This ensures easy cleanup and serving.
- Combine the Creamy Sauce Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This forms the flavorful base of your casserole.
- Integrate Chicken and Rice: Add the shredded or diced cooked chicken and the cooked white rice to the creamy soup mixture. Stir gently until all the chicken and rice are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Add Most of the Cheese: Fold in 3/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese into the chicken and rice mixture. Stir just until the cheese is distributed throughout. This will give you cheesy goodness in every bite.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the entire mixture into your prepared 9×13 inch baking dish and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Make sure the top surface is relatively flat for even baking.
- Prepare the Cracker Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed butter crackers with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Stir until the cracker crumbs are thoroughly coated with butter. This creates a golden, crispy topping.
- Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole, then evenly distribute the buttered cracker crumbs on top. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Rest Before Serving: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly, making it easier to serve neatly.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This creamy chicken and rice casserole is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can add a cup of frozen peas or corn directly to the mixture before baking – it adds a pop of color and extra veggies. If you want to elevate the flavor, a pinch of dried thyme or a dash of hot sauce can be stirred into the creamy sauce. For a slightly different texture, consider adding a can of drained water chestnuts for a subtle crunch.
When it comes to serving, this casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad dressed with a vinaigrette to add freshness. Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli are also excellent vegetable companions. For a heartier meal, you could serve it alongside some warm dinner rolls for soaking up all that delicious creamy sauce. This dish is also fantastic for potlucks or family gatherings; it travels well and is always a crowd-pleaser. You can even divide it into individual portions for easy meal prep throughout the week.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have a few common pitfalls. Knowing what to watch out for will ensure your creamy chicken and rice casserole turns out perfectly every time.
One frequent mistake is using uncooked rice. This recipe relies on already cooked rice to absorb the creamy sauce properly and prevent a watery casserole. If you use uncooked rice, the casserole will be dry and the rice will be undercooked. Always make sure your rice is cooked and cooled before adding it to the mixture.
Another common issue is over-baking the casserole. While you want it bubbly and golden, baking it for too long can dry out the chicken and make the rice mushy. Keep an eye on it after 20 minutes; it’s done when the edges are bubbly and the topping is nicely browned.
Not seasoning enough can lead to a bland casserole. While condensed soups provide some seasoning, don’t skip the onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. A little extra salt might be needed depending on your soup choices and personal preference, so taste the mixture before baking if you like.
Finally, skimping on the topping can result in a less satisfying texture. The buttered cracker crumbs are crucial for that delightful crunch. Make sure they are evenly distributed and well-coated with butter for the best golden-brown finish.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This creamy chicken and rice casserole is excellent for make-ahead meals and stores wonderfully, making busy weeknights even easier.
To store leftovers, allow the casserole to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual portions or the entire casserole. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
When reheating, for individual portions, microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through. For a larger portion or the entire casserole, place it in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 325°F (160°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. If reheating from frozen, you might need to add an extra 15-20 minutes to the oven time. Adding a splash of milk or chicken broth before reheating can help restore some of the creaminess if it seems a bit dry.
To make it ahead, you can assemble the entire casserole (up to the point of adding the cracker topping) and cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
