This week indulge in a cheesy Chicken Casserole and rice adventure, that ends with a spectacular flavor party right in your mouth! Disguised with piles of cheese, it’s the perfect way to sneak more veggies into your day! So rich, so comforting, and SO easy to make… it’s just begging you to have one more bite!
Chicken Casserole
When you’re craving more than just a smidge of decadence… just serve up this outrageously satisfying old school chicken and rice casserole.
It’s more than up for the challenge!
Sure, this lazy casserole is crazy simple to make. But don’t let the simplicity fool you.
It’s a true comfort food masterpiece!
What you’ve got here is a massively indulgent creation that’s chock-full of heart warming flavors. Flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds, and even thirds!
Even so… it still usually includes some pretty amazing leftovers.
And trust me, chicken casserole leftovers are always a nice bonus. Talk about one of the best chicken meal prep ideas ever!
To get this delicious casserole started, you’ll add in some hearty chicken and rice. Then you’ll toss in your favorite veggies… right before moving on to pure decadent bliss!
This glorious casserole doesn’t cut any corners on flavor. It uses real butter and sour cream!
It’s also loaded with a perfect blend of rich and savory spices, and it finishes with a gooey rich, melted cheese topping!
Talk about YUM!!
So go ahead and say goodbye to flavorless chicken dinners and instead… brace yourself for giant bear hugs of gratitude.
Because without a doubt, this colossal casserole is the ultimate crowd pleaser!
Just like this heavenly Chicken and Stuffing Casserole, this homestyle Chicken Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole, and this Chicken Pot Pie, too!
So go grab your casserole dish… and get ready to create your very own crowd-pleasing sensation!
Chicken Casserole Ingredients
You’ll just need a few simple ingredients to make one of the BEST chicken casseroles ever!
Add the following to your next grocery list to you can score some Walmart grocery deals…
- Cooked Chicken, Cubed – Cooked Rotisserie Chicken is a fantastic shortcut!
- Cooked White Rice
- Frozen Mixed Vegetables
- Cream of Chicken Soup
- Sour Cream
- Mayo – Either regular or light mayo will work.
- Butter
- Cheddar Cheese – I like using Sharp Cheddar for maximum flavor.
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Salt – To bring out the flavors.
- Pepper
Like most of my easy casserole recipes, you’ll also need a 9×13 baking dish to prepare this traditional chicken casserole.
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Pin ItHow to Make Chicken Casserole and Rice
You won’t believe how easy it is to make this quick chicken casserole recipe at home!
Here’s what you’ll do…
1. First you’ll want to remove your mixed vegetables from the freezer, so they can thaw.
2. Once they have thawed, you can preheat your oven.
3. Then spray a 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
4. Combine your ingredients, and add them to your casserole dish as specified.
5. Then cover your casserole dish with aluminum foil, and bake your simple chicken casserole in oven.
6. After baking for 30 minutes, remove the foil.
7. Top everything with shredded cheese, then continue baking uncovered as specified, or until the cheese has melted.
See… I told you this was going to be one of the easiest Fall dinner recipes ever!
Scroll down for the printable recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.
Chicken Casserole Variations and Substitutions
Want to change things up? Go for it!
With chicken casserole recipes like this there are so many tasty ways you can change up the flavors…
Cooked Chicken: You can also used cooked turkey… and rotisserie chicken works great, too!
Rice: You can use white rice, brown rice or any other favorite pre-cooked rice. I personally love to use long grain rice.
Mixed Vegetables: You can also use a bag of frozen peas, frozen beans, or any other favorite frozen vegetables.
Cheddar Cheese: Upgrade your flavors when you use sharp cheddar or white cheddar cheese.
Cream of Chicken Soup: An easy way to change up the flavors is to use cream of chicken soup with herbs, cream of mushroom soup or even cream of potato soup.
How to Store Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have any leftover chicken casserole, simply place it in an airtight container. Then, store it in your refrigerator for up to 3 days or the freezer for up to 1 month.
How To Reheat Leftovers
To reheat, simply transfer a portion to a microwave safe dish. Then cover it with paper towels, and reheat for 30 seconds at a time (stirring each time) until hot.
Make your chicken and rice casserole even better when you add some extra cheese on top for the last few seconds of microwaving!
More cheese is always the right choice!
What To Serve With Your Casserole
Make sure to complete your baked chicken and rice casserole dinner with some delicious dinner sides. To start, I know you’ll love dunking this Crusty Bread into this lovely Balsamic and Olive Oil for Dipping Bread.
Then… consider serving up these Fluffy Mashed Potatoes with either some homemade Chicken Gravy OR Homemade Brown Gravy.
For a vegetable, you can go wrong with my super Cheesy Cauliflower or a fresh green salad topped with this homemade Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing.
More Quick and Easy Dinner Casseroles
Did You Enjoy This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!
Chicken Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced Cooked Chicken, (cooked turkey or rotisserie chicken can be substituted)
- 2 cups cooked White Rice
- 12 oz. pkg. Frozen Mixed Vegetables, thawed, (other frozen veggies can be substituted)
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 21 oz Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup, (2 cans, 10.5 oz. each)
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp melted Butter
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Pepper
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Place thawed Mixed Vegetables in the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Top with cooked cubed Chicken, then add cooked Rice.
- In a mixing bowl, combine Soup, Sour Cream, Mayonnaise, Onion Powder Garlic Powder, Salt and Pepper, and mix well.
- Spread mixture evenly over the ingredients already in the casserole dish.
- Drizzle with melted butter, and cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
- After baking for 30 minutes, remove your foil.
- Top with Shredded Cheese.
- Continue baking UNCOVERED for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.
Notes
- Cooked Chicken: You can also used cooked turkey… and rotisserie chicken works great, too!
- Rice: You can use white rice, brown rice or any other favorite pre-cooked rice. I personally love to use long grain rice.
- Mixed Vegetables: You can also use a bag of frozen peas, frozen beans, or any other favorite frozen vegetables.
- Cheddar Cheese: Upgrade your flavors when you use sharp cheddar or white cheddar cheese.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: An easy way to change up the flavors is to use cream of chicken soup with herbs, cream of mushroom soup or even cream of potato soup.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
This looks delicious, Heidi! I’m always looking for meals that are simple to transport to friends, family, and loved ones, so I’m excited to try this recipe. As always thanks for sharing meals that are easy to gift! Hugs, CoCo
This recipe is the perfect dinner for sharing, and I know your friends and family will love it!
So cozy and comforting and creamy! Loved this chicken casserole even more because it was even better the next day when the flavors had some time to mingle. We are all about cooking once and eating twice!
I totally agree, leftover chicken casserole is always a nice added bonus!
This is perfect timing! We have chicken rotisserie leftovers from yesterday and it’s new way of using it! Thank you dear!
That really is so perfect. The rotisserie chicken adds so much amazing flavor to this casserole!
This is the creamy, dreamy casserole dreams are made of. Super kid-friendly too! Thanks for sharing another dinner winner!
I am so glad you like it. Easy kid friendly casseroles always make dinner planning so much easier!
I love that there are so many substitutions for this recipe! It can really be tailored to how you’re feeling that day, which is great. Thanks for sharing!
Exactly, changing up the flavors can make it feel like a brand new dinner every time you make it!
What a great winter recipe. I know my DIL would love this and I’ll be passing it on to her to make for the grandkids. Sounds delicious,
I know the grandkids will love it. It’s totally kid approved!
This looks so yummy! I would love to make this for someone who needs a good meal and doesn’t have time. Thanks for sharing!
It really is so perfect for meal planning! You could make it on the weekend, then enjoy it all throughout the week whenever needed!
I do love a good “lazy casserole,” and this one sounds absolutely delicious! All of that cheese is making me hungry right now. Plus, the minimal prep on this recipe would make it great for busy school nights!
It just wouldn’t be a proper chicken casserole without loads of amazing cheese! 🙂
What a fantastic recipe!
Chicken casseroles are always a favorite, and yours looks hearty and satisfying. 😋
It really is so hearty and satisfying… and the casserole leftovers are extra amazing the next day!
I am always looking for an easy chicken casserole for busy weeknights, and this one is a total winner! The combination of chicken and rice with the cheesy topping makes it such a comforting meal. I love that it’s a great rotisserie chicken recipe shortcut, too. This is definitely going into our regular rotation of family dinner ideas!
I know you’ll love it. The flavors really are on point, making this a great whole family chicken dinner option!