Chicken and Rice Casserole is an easy one-pan dinner made with simple pantry ingredients, tender chicken, creamy sauce, and fluffy rice. This family-tested casserole recipe is perfect for busy weeknights because everything bakes together in one dish with very little prep.
If you need an affordable comfort food recipe that makes great leftovers and can be prepared ahead of time, this dish is always a winner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
This is one of those dependable dinners that always works on busy nights. I love that everything bakes together in one casserole dish, which means less cleanup and a hearty meal that fills everyone up.
It is also one of my favorite recipes to prep ahead because the leftovers taste just as good the next day. If you have tried our popular Crock Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe then you are going to love this recipe.
- Creamy, cheesy comfort food the whole family enjoys
- Freezer-friendly for future dinners
- Easy to customize with vegetables or different cheeses
- Budget-friendly recipe that feeds a family easily
Make sure to check out more of our casserole recipes that even my picky kids will eat – Hamburger Casserole, Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole, Pizza Casserole, Poppyseed Chicken, Chicken Green Bean Casserole, and Rice A Roni Chicken Casserole.
Ingredients
- Uncooked Long-Grain White Rice – Make sure to use white rice in this recipe. Brown rice requires more liquid and Minute rice will not work.
- Water – Substitute with a cup chicken broth for even more flavor
- Onion Powder – Substitute with 1 tablespoons of onion soup mix
- Cream of Chicken Soup – Make Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup or use canned. You can also use Cream of Celery Soup Recipe
- Cream of Mushroom Soup – Use Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe for a delicious variations
- Garlic Powder – If you are out, use these Garlic Powder Substitute
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – You can substitute with chicken thighs
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.
How to Make Chicken and Rice Casserole
Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 375°Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Step 2 – In a large bowl, stir together the uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, water, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
Step 3 – Pour the rice mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Step 4 – Place the chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture, pressing them down slightly.
Step 5 – Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
Step 6 – Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Return the dish to the oven and bake, uncovered, for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
Step 7 – Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, salt and pepper when serving.
Tips for Success
- Type of Rice – Make sure to use uncooked rice, as it will cook and absorb the liquid from the soups and water during baking.
- Covering the Casserole – Covering the casserole with foil for the first 45 minutes of baking helps the rice cook evenly and prevents the chicken from drying out.
- Cooking Time – Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken. We recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked before removing from the oven.
Serving Suggestions
This one pot casserole dish can be served with all your favorite veggies. We love to serve with a side of Air Fryer Broccoli, Parmesan Roasted Green Beans, salad or Grilled Vegetables in Foil Pack Recipe.
This casserole is the perfect comfort food recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can cook raw chicken and rice in a baking dish in the oven. It cooks easily to make a delicious casserole.
No there is no need to cook the rice before combining with the other ingredients. The cream of soup mixture will cook the rice with the chicken in the baking dish.
Yes, you can easily make this dish ahead and not bake it. Cover the dish and place in the refrigerator for 1-2 days in advance.
Storage Tips
- Storing – Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The leftovers will last about 3-4 days.
- Reheat – You can easily reheat the leftovers in the microwave or if you have a lot leftover reheat in the oven.
- Freezing – Freeze this casserole uncooked or cooked. Prepare the casserole in a disposable pan and bake. Then cover the casserole with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and place in the freezer. This casserole will last about 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight when ready to serve again.
More Chicken and Rice Recipes
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Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
- 1 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix together 1 ½ cups uncooked long-grain white rice, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Pour the rice mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Place 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture, pressing them down slightly.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake, uncovered, for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
kids loved it!
I had only more than an hour to make dinner, because I forgot, and tried this. Didn’t fail me. It made it look like I was preparing dinner for hours!
such a yummy casserole recipe!
Such an easy and delicious casserole recipe that everyone loves!
Love this casserole!
Delicious! I really didn’t think the rice was going to get cooked enough but it did and it was packed with some much flavor. The entire family loved it.
Amazing flavor!!
We diced up the chicken , turned out really good
The best flavor and everything cooked perfectly!