If ever there were a dish that checked every box for comfort-food cravings, it’s the Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole. This classic casserole is endlessly satisfying, filled with tender chicken, fluffy rice, crisp-tender vegetables, and a velvety sauce laced with cheddar cheese. It bakes up bubbly and inviting, with a golden, slightly crunchy topping that gives way to creamy, flavorful goodness in every bite. Whether you’re feeding a family on a busy weeknight or looking for a hearty meal to share at a potluck, the Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole is a true crowd-pleaser that never disappoints.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for this casserole is wonderfully simple. Each one has its own special role, from building creamy layers to giving that perfect cheesy finish. Trust me, these humble staples come together to create something nothing short of magical!
- Shredded Chicken: Quick and convenient—rotisserie chicken works like a charm for juicy, flavorful results.
- Long-Grain White Rice: Starts uncooked, absorbing all the delicious sauces as it bakes for perfectly tender grains.
- Chicken Broth: Gives the casserole moisture and a savory depth that ties everything together.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: The secret weapon for super-creamy sauce without lots of fuss.
- Sour Cream: Adds a subtle tanginess that balances all the richness beautifully.
- Cheddar Cheese: Melts right into the filling and forms a gooey, golden layer on top.
- Frozen Peas and Carrots: Bring bright pops of color and gentle sweetness—any mixed veggies work!
- Garlic Powder: Rounds out the flavors with savory warmth.
- Onion Powder: Lends that classic casserole flavor, without chopping extra veggies.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential to bring out all those cozy flavors.
- Crushed Buttery Crackers or Breadcrumbs (optional): For a classic crunchy topping that’s totally irresistible.
- Melted Butter (optional): Mixes with the crackers or breadcrumbs to create golden magic.
How to Make Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) so it’s nice and piping hot when your casserole is ready to go in. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little butter or cooking spray—no one wants to lose a single scoop to sticking!
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Filling
In a large bowl, combine the uncooked rice with chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, frozen peas and carrots (or your favorite mixed vegetables), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a thorough stir to ensure every grain of rice is coated and those flavors are mingling.
Step 3: Fold in the Chicken
Add the cooked, shredded chicken to the bowl and stir until it’s well distributed. This ensures you get juicy bites of chicken in every single serving of Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole!
Step 4: Fill the Baking Dish
Pour your creamy, chicken-packed mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly with a spatula or the back of your spoon, so it cooks uniformly and every bite is balanced.
Step 5: Cover and Bake
Cover the dish tightly with foil. This helps lock in steam—key for making sure the uncooked rice gets perfectly tender. Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and has soaked up all the wonderful flavors.
Step 6: Add the Golden Topping
Remove the foil, then sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese across the top. If you’re going for the classic finish, mix the crushed buttery crackers or breadcrumbs with the melted butter, then scatter that over the cheese.
Step 7: Finish Baking Uncovered
Place the casserole back in the oven, uncovered, for an additional 10–15 minutes. Watch for that bubbling, golden top—a sure sign your Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole is ready! Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving so it slices up beautifully.
How to Serve Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or sliced green onions over the finished Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole brings a pop of color and a little freshness that cuts through the richness in the best way. Even just a little cracked black pepper looks gorgeous!
Side Dishes
This casserole shines with something green alongside—think a simple garden salad, garlicky green beans, or steamed broccoli. A basket of soft dinner rolls is always a hit for sopping up every last bit of creamy sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For family-style comfort, serve the Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole right from the baking dish at the table. Or, scoop individual portions into small ramekins for dinner parties—each guest gets their own extra-golden topping.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors continue to meld for even more delicious results the next day!
Freezing
This casserole is super freezer-friendly. Cool completely, wrap the whole baking dish tightly in a double layer of foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. You can also portion it out in freezer-safe bags for single servings.
Reheating
For best results, reheat the Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole covered in a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly. If you’re in a hurry, a few minutes in the microwave will do the trick—just add a splash of broth to keep it moist.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of white?
Absolutely! Just remember to add a bit more broth (about ½ cup extra) and increase the baking time to around 75 minutes, since brown rice takes longer to cook.
What’s the best way to shred chicken for this recipe?
Rotisserie chicken is my go-to for speed and flavor. Otherwise, poach or bake boneless, skinless chicken breasts, let them cool slightly, and shred them with two forks.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
You sure can! Prepare the casserole up until baking, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours in advance. Just add a few extra minutes to the bake time if it’s going in the oven cold.
How do I make this Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole gluten-free?
Look for a gluten-free cream of chicken soup and make sure your breadcrumbs or cracker topping are gluten-free. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free!
Can I add other vegetables?
Definitely! Frozen corn, chopped bell peppers, or broccoli florets are all delicious in Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole. Just keep the total ratio of veggies about the same so the casserole stays nice and creamy.
Final Thoughts
When you want a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal, you can’t go wrong with Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole. I hope this recipe brings warmth and joy to your table—and plenty of happy faces around it. Grab those simple ingredients and let the magic begin!
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Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish that the whole family will love. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with tender chicken and flavorful rice, it’s a perfect weeknight meal.
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 2¼ cups chicken broth
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (or mixed vegetables)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping (Optional):
- ½ cup crushed buttery crackers or breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix Casserole Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine rice, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese, frozen vegetables, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in shredded chicken.
- Bake: Pour the mixture into the baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 50–55 minutes until rice is tender.
- Add Toppings: Remove foil, sprinkle ½ cup cheese on top. Optionally, mix crushed crackers with melted butter and sprinkle over cheese.
- Finish Baking: Bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest before serving.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- You can use brown rice, but adjust broth and baking time.
- This casserole freezes well.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
