Name: Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole – Chicken Casserole Recipes Made Easy
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced; 1 cup uncooked white rice; 2 ½ cups chicken broth; 1 cup sour cream; 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup; 1 tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp onion powder; ½ tsp black pepper; 1 tsp salt; 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese; Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Jump to Recipe

Some nights, all I want is dinner to cook itself. This creamy chicken and rice casserole? It’s my go-to comfort when the day’s been long, and the fridge is giving ‘meh’ energy. It’s hearty, packed with juicy chicken, cozy rice, and that irresistible cheesy sauce that makes you want seconds… and then maybe thirds. I’ve made this for lazy Sundays, for ‘surprise, we’re staying for dinner!’ guests, and for those blah Mondays where the only plan is survival. It hits all the right notes. Creamy. Savory. Feeds the crowd with zero fuss. If you’re into Easy Chicken Casserole Recipes or craving healthy chicken casserole recipes that still taste indulgent, this one’s for you. Chicken and rice casserole recipes easy enough for weeknights, cheesy chicken casserole vibes, and it somehow landed in my best casserole recipes list without trying too hard. Let’s just say, your casserole dish’s new BFF has entered the chat.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe
3) Ingredients for Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
4) How to Make Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
5) Tips for Making Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
6) Making Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
8) Try these Main Course Recipes next!
9) Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

What goes into a creamy chicken and rice casserole that keeps it juicy and flavorful?
How can you prep this chicken casserole recipe ahead for busy nights?
What’s the easiest way to make a healthy chicken casserole that still feels like comfort food?
How do you keep cheese melty and rice tender in one dish?

2) Easy Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

If you’ve ever had a day where everything just felt off and dinner needed to fix it all, I get you. That’s where this creamy chicken and rice casserole enters the chat. It’s the kind of meal that hugs your insides without making you dirty 10 pans.

I love that it combines everything I want after work: no chopping onions, minimal stirring, and I don’t have to beg the kids to eat. This is one of those chicken casserole recipes that you pull from your back pocket when you want dinner to make sense again.

Whether you’re deep into easy chicken casserole recipes, or just stumbled in looking for a cheesy chicken casserole that doesn’t feel like cardboard, this one’s for you. It’s warm, it’s filling, and it makes your kitchen smell like someone’s been cooking for hours. Spoiler: it only takes a little effort and a lot of cheese.

3) Ingredients for Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Cooked Chicken: Shredded or diced, this gives the casserole that comforting protein boost. I usually use rotisserie chicken to save time, but leftover baked chicken works too.

White Rice: Uncooked and ready to soak up all the flavor. Stick to long grain for the best texture. Short grain can get a little too soft in the bake.

Chicken Broth: This brings the moisture and savory base. It also helps the rice cook right in the casserole dish—no need to precook it.

Sour Cream: This is the secret to the creamy part. It blends with the soup to make a rich sauce that doesn’t feel too heavy.

Cream of Chicken Soup: The pantry hero. One can gives body and richness. It’s what holds everything together in a cheesy, cozy hug.

Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: These pantry spices add depth without the tears or chopping. They wake up the base flavors.

Salt and Pepper: Don’t skip these basics. They make every bite taste like it’s supposed to be eaten slowly and savored.

Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty, and absolutely necessary. It gives the top that golden finish and pulls it all together.

Chopped Parsley (Optional): For a pop of color and a little freshness. It makes the whole dish feel just a bit brighter on the plate.

4) How to Make Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grab a 9×13 dish. Grease it lightly so nothing sticks and cleanup stays simple.

Step 2. In a big bowl, mix broth, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and well blended.

Step 3. Add in your rice and chicken. Stir them into the mixture so the rice is coated and chicken gets distributed evenly.

Step 4. Pour the mixture into the baking dish and smooth it out so it bakes evenly. Cover tightly with foil—this keeps the rice tender.

Step 5. Bake covered for 55 minutes. Then take off the foil and sprinkle that glorious cheddar cheese across the top.

Step 6. Bake uncovered for 5 to 10 more minutes until the cheese is melty and bubbling. Let it cool just a bit so it sets up.

Step 7. Sprinkle chopped parsley if you’re feeling a little extra. Then serve it straight from the dish, hot and gooey.

5) Tips for Making Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Use rotisserie chicken to cut prep time. It’s tender and already seasoned. Plus, no stove work. Just shred and stir it in.

Cover the dish tightly before baking. This helps the rice cook through without drying out. It traps the moisture where it belongs.

Use long grain rice. Short grain tends to break down in casseroles, which can make it too soft. Long grain holds up better and stays fluffy.

6) Making Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Ahead of Time

This casserole is ideal for prepping early. You can assemble everything, cover it, and pop it in the fridge the night before. Let it come to room temp before baking.

If you want to freeze it, skip the cheese until bake time. Assemble the base, wrap it well, and freeze. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight and add cheese during the last 10 minutes of baking.

Having this dish ready to go makes weeknights feel manageable again. It holds up well and tastes just as comforting the next day.

7) Storing Leftover Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge. It stays good for up to four days and reheats well in the microwave or oven.

If you like a crisp top, reheat in the oven and add a fresh sprinkle of cheese. It’ll melt again and bring back that fresh-out-the-oven vibe.

This is one of those chicken casserole recipes that doesn’t get weird after reheating. The texture stays soft and the flavors deepen.

8) Try these Main Course Recipes next!

9) Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole