This Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole is the definition of easy comfort food. Just a few simple ingredients come together for the most delicious dinner.
When you need a comfort food classic, this casserole is it. While it comes together with some store-bought ingredients, if you want to make it completely from scratch, I have details for that, too!
This easy chicken and rice casserole is spruced up with some seasonings that make it absolutely delectable. Your family will fall head over heels for this delicious classic.
Chicken Cheese and Rice Casserole Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients that make up this cheesy rice and chicken casserole. For the full recipe including all measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Cream of mushroom soup: Store-bought or homemade. Read more on this below.
- Cream of chicken soup: Store-bought or homemade.
- Chicken broth: Since the rice cooks in the casserole, we need a liquid for it to absorb. Using chicken broth accomplishes this while also adding flavor.
- Milk: Keeps the casserole creamy and allows the rice to cook.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Chicken breasts: No need to cook them first, they will cook while the casserole bakes. Cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- Long grain rice: I like to use white rice in casseroles because it’s softer, but brown rice can also be used.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Whenever a recipe calls for shredded cheese, I always highly recommend buying a block and shredding it yourself. It melts and tastes so much better than the pre-shredded stuff, which is covered with a coating of preservatives that prevent it from clumping together in the bag.
How to Make Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
Here is a brief overview of how this creamy chicken and rice casserole recipe comes together. For the full recipe including all ingredients and measurements, be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Combine the soups and seasonings. Whisk together the condensed soups, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Put the casserole together. Add the mixture from the bowl, diced chicken, rice, and some of the shredded cheddar cheese in your casserole dish. Stir to combine.
- Bake the casserole. Cover tightly with foil and bake for one hour and 25 minutes. Top with the remaining cheese and return to the oven for five minutes or until the cheese is fully melted. Enjoy!
Homemade Cream Soup
A big part of what makes this casserole super creamy is adding both cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soups. While you can totally use cans of store-bought cream soup, it is really easy to make them from scratch! I have recipes for both cream of chicken soup and cream of mushroom soup that make the perfect amount to replace the canned version. If someone in your family is totally against mushrooms, you can replace the cream of mushroom soup by doubling the cream of chicken soup.
Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup
Adding Broccoli
If you want to add some vegetables to this casserole, broccoli is delicious! Just like in my Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, adding cooked fresh or frozen broccoli is a great way to add some additional flavor, color, and nutrients to this comforting dinner. Simply add 16 ounces of cooked fresh or frozen broccoli to the casserole ingredients when you add the chicken.
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Making Ahead
This is a great casserole to make ahead of time. Having a meal prepped and ready to go is perfect for those busy weeknights! To make this ahead of time, follow the directions of the recipe up to the point of putting it in the oven. Once it is covered tightly with foil, put it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to bake it, pop it into your preheated oven, and you will have a delicious chicken and rice casserole. Note that because the rice will be soaking, the casserole will likely need less time in the oven.
How to Freeze This Casserole
If you want to make this casserole ahead of time and freeze it for later, be sure to prepare it in a disposable or aluminum baking dish. Follow the recipe up to the point of covering it tightly with foil (leaving off the extra cheese). Store in the freezer for up to three months.
When you are ready to bake the casserole, remove it from the freezer and allow the casserole to thaw overnight. Follow the the baking instructions as written in the recipe card.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat only the portion you plan to eat in the microwave or oven until heated through.
What to Serve with Chicken and Rice
If you make this recipe for chicken and rice casserole or any of my other recipes, I’d love to hear what you think. Reading your comments makes my day!
Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 10 ounces cream of mushroom soup store-bought or homemade (298 grams)
- 10 ounces cream of chicken soup store-bought or homemade (298 grams)
- 1 cup chicken broth (226.8 grams)
- 1 cup milk (227 grams)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts diced (453.6 grams)
- 1 cup uncooked long grain rice (198 grams)
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded (226 grams)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed soups, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.10 ounces cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup chicken broth, 1 cup milk, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 10 ounces cream of chicken soup
- In the prepared casserole dish, combine the mixture from the bowl, diced chicken, rice, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 cup uncooked long grain rice, 2 cups cheddar cheese
- Bake for 1 hour and 25 minutes. Top with the remaining 1 cup cheese and return to the oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted. Serve and enjoy.
Don says
Do you have to cook rice first or just add it with rest of ingredients recipe didn’t say to cook it
It goes in uncooked.