Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This comforting chicken and rice casserole is a simple, all-in-one meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts bake alongside flavorful rice and vegetables, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. It’s easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Nonstick cooking spray

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Step 2: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then place them in the baking dish.
3. Step 3: In a bowl, mix the rice, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, frozen mixed vegetables, onion powder, and garlic powder until well combined.
4. Step 4: Pour the mixture over the chicken breasts, making sure they are fully covered by the rice mixture.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top.
6. Step 6: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and the rice is tender.
7. Step 7: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or dried herbs like thyme or rosemary to the rice mixture.
• Try using cream of chicken soup instead of mushroom for a slightly different taste.
• Substitute cheddar cheese with mozzarella or a blend of your favorite cheeses.
• Fresh vegetables like bell peppers or peas can be used instead of frozen mixed vegetables.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. Avoid microwaving to keep the rice texture intact.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, but brown rice requires longer cooking time. You may want to pre-cook the brown rice or increase the baking time to ensure it cooks fully.

Is it necessary to cover the casserole while baking?

Covering the casserole prevents the rice from drying out and helps it cook evenly by trapping steam. Remove the foil in the last few minutes if you want a crispier cheese topping.

Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 62 reviews

This comforting Chicken and Rice Casserole combines tender chicken breasts with creamy mushroom soup, mixed vegetables, and long-grain rice, all baked together to create a hearty and flavorful one-dish meal. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, it’s a perfect easy dinner option that requires minimal prep and delivers satisfying homestyle flavors.

• Author: Mila
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Rice Mixture

• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Topping

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Nonstick cooking spray (for greasing the baking dish)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
2. Season Chicken: Season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Place the chicken breasts evenly in the greased baking dish.
3. Mix Rice and Vegetables: In a large bowl, combine the long-grain rice, cream of mushroom soup, low-sodium chicken broth, frozen mixed vegetables, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.
4. Assemble Casserole: Pour the rice and vegetable mixture over the chicken breasts in the baking dish, spreading it evenly so that the chicken is completely covered by the mixture.
5. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the combined chicken and rice mixture.
6. Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture and bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the rice is tender.
7. Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest, covered, for about 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the casserole to set slightly.

Notes

• Make sure to cover the baking dish tightly with foil to prevent the rice from drying out during baking.
• You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup if preferred.
• For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cheddar cheese and low-fat cream soup options.
• If fresh vegetables are available, chop and use an equivalent amount instead of frozen mixed vegetables.
• Check chicken doneness with a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).

Keywords: chicken casserole, chicken and rice, baked chicken, easy casserole, comforting dinner, one-dish meal