Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole is made with cheesy rice, a creamy sauce, and a few tender veggies to make it a complete family meal!
This easy chicken casserole pairs well with Southern Green Beans with Bacon or Roasted Broccoli Salad for extra delicious veggies!
This delicious old school chicken and rice casserole is a family favorite, even my picky eaters love it!
Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole
If you’re looking for an easy casserole recipe with chicken, this is it! The creamy sauce, the cheesy rice, it’s all so delicious and cozy.
With just a few ingredients and a few minutes of prep time, this super easy casserole comes together in minutes.
Ingredients Needed:
Here’s the basic list of ingredients you’ll need in order to make this recipe. As always, you can find the full list of ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
- Rotisserie chicken – shredded
- Instant Rice
- Cream of chicken soup
- Milk – whole or 2%
- Onion Powder
- Garlic – fresh minced
- Salt & Pepper
- Italian Seasoning
- Mixed Vegetables – thawed
- Colby Jack Cheese
- Parsley
How To Make Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
If you make this casserole with rotisserie chicken and instant rice, it comes together even faster! This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
PREP INGREDIENTS
Start by greasing a 9×13 inch baking dish and preheating the oven to 350 F. Thaw mixed vegetables and shred rotisserie chicken.
COMBINE INGREDIENTS
In a large bowl, combine the instant rice, cream of chicken soup, half of the cheese, and mixed vegetables. Gently mix together. Add in all spices and milk.
PREP FOR BAKING
After mixing, transfer to the 9×13 in. casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and bake for about 40 minutes until bubbling and rice is tender. The cheese will be beginning to get golden brown.
PRO TIP: If you don’t like a slightly crispy cheese layer on top, bake the casserole without the cheese on top, then remove the casserole from the oven for the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle the cheese on, and return to the oven for 5 more minutes.
This will make the cheese a little more melty and gooey as opposed to a little more crispy.
GARNISH
After removing the casserole from the oven, garnish the top with chopped parsley for a little pop of color and flavor. Serve warm.
Tips and Variations
Here are a few ideas for customizing this casserole to fit your tastes…
- Need a little crunch? Add crushed Ritz crackers or plain corn flakes to the top of this casserole.
- Gluten-free option? Leave out the cream of chicken soup and instead use 1 cup of chicken broth. It won’t be quite as creamy but will still be delicious.
- Add chopped green onions to the top after baking for a pop of flavor!
Can You Make This Ahead?
Absolutely! You can prepare the recipe as directed and then cover and refrigerate for a day or two ahead of baking.
Just be aware that it will increase the baking time by 10 minutes or so and you’ll need to test the rice to ensure it’s done.
For safety reasons, do not place a cold glass baking pan in a hot oven, as it may shatter. You can place it in the oven as it preheats or on a room temperature baking sheet in the hot oven to prevent it touching the hot rack.
More easy Casserole Recipes
Need a few more easy casserole ideas? Here are a few more to try…
- Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
- The Best Cheesy Potato Casserole
- Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Easy Ravioli Lasagna Casserole
I know you’ll love this easy dinner recipe as much as our family does!
Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9 x 13 inch baking dish
- 1 large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
- 2 cups minute rice, uncooked
- 10 oz cream of chicken soup
- 2 ½ cups milk , (2% or whole preferred)
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 3 cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 Tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Shred the rotisserie chicken and set aside. Thaw the mixed vegetables in a colander or strainer and run it under warm water until the veggies are no longer frozen.
- In a mixing bowl, combine shredded cooked chicken, thawed mixed vegetables, minute rice, cream of chicken soup, milk, and all spices.
- Add in 1½ cups of shredded cheese and fold in gently.
- Transfer to greased 9×13" baking dish and spread smooth. Sprinkle on remaining 1½ cups of cheese. (see notes)
- Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, or until rice is tender. Remove and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm.
Very tasty. Made more than I expected dinner for tomorrow too.
If you used a Glass Dish ensure that is a PYREX Borosilicate Glass Dish, this is oven proof and will be able to withstand going from fridge/freezer to a hot oven without shattering, ordinary Pyrex soda glass is not oven proof and will shatter just going from a fridge to a hot oven. See this page for a full explanation; https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en/products/life-sciences/resources/stories/in-the-field/pyrex-vs-pyrex-whats-the-difference.html
Wat could I do to make rice a little more tender
Make sure you’re using the correct measurements of rice and liquid. Too much rice and not enough liquid will make the rice less tender. If you like it extra tender, try adding just a bit more liquid to the recipe.
I used family box of chicken flavor rice a roni. Perfect!
This was so fast and easy to make and it was really yummy. I used plant based “chicken” and it turned out really well. The leftovers were even better.
My adult son loved this…he rarely comments on meals but has asked me to serve this again!
Can you use raw chicken??
Can you use cold water for the minute rice
I used raw chicken thighs-skinless, boneless. Checked to assure they were properly cooked with meat thermometer.
I am big on freezing dishes, I ts just myself and I work FT. So I purchased a Food Saver Vac machine. It’s amazing. I put what I want in the bag ,and remove the air, seal and put in freezer. Take out and microwave.
Can you sub chicken broth for milk?
Do you have to use the literal 60 sec microwave minute rice or could you use the minute rice brand that cooks in 10 min?
Can you use cold water for the minute rice
Can regular rice be used for this casserole? I am not crazy about the texture of minute Rice.
Absolutely! I do not like instant rice. I use regular rice already cooked for all my rice dishes. I add a little more moisture as the Rice will continue to cook in the casserole the flavor is wonderful too!
Question, I want to make this, but I’d be cooking for 2. Has anyone ever halved this recipe?
Hi I was wondering if you ever froze this dish how it reheats. Sorry should also say made this dish tonight it was a great hit. I was hoping I could make it and freeze it for my hard working daughter as a quick supper for her family with a four year old and eighteen month old triplets to make life a little easier for her. Thanks for a wonderful recipe seasoned to perfection.
If im starting with cooked rice not using uncooked instant…how much cooked rice do I need?
I have made this dish for over 10 years now and my family loves it. It is in my top 3 and I love that it is easy to make. Mine differs a smidge as I don’t use rotisserie chicken, I put 2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts on top of rice/soup mixture. I also do not thaw the veggies. I cover the dish and cook it a little longer, then add the cheese for the last 5 minutes of cooking. After working a long day, it’s great to put together a great meal in less than 15 minutes and it has your meat, side and veggies all in 1 dish! Truly wonderful!
Mine was SO dry, guessed the rice soaked up every bit of liquid. Thinking about just pouring some chicken broth where we have already cut pieces out and eaten. Literally not one bit of juice. Did I do something wrong. Went by the recipe exactly.
I’m wondering how I can use regular rice in this. Maybe cook the rice for 10 minutes and then stir everything together..
Hi Liz, that could work! Let us know how it turns out!
Do you add the rice uncooked?
The recipe says :
2 C. MINUTE RICE, UNCOOKED.