Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Introduction

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food—creamy, hearty, and packed with familiar flavors that bring everyone back to the dinner table. This is a classic, family-friendly recipe that’s perfect for nights when you need a filling meal with minimal effort. With tender chicken, fluffy rice, and gooey cheese all baked together, every bite offers satisfying warmth and richness.

Deliciously Unique Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Few dishes are as universally welcomed for busy weeknights or potlucks as this casserole. What sets this recipe apart is the delicious balance of flavors: savory chicken, rich cheese, and just the right blend of herbs, all soaking into the rice for a texture that’s always comforting, never dry. It’s versatile enough to adapt with your favorite vegetables or cheese blends, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Preparing the Perfect Casserole Mix

For the creamiest, most flavorful casserole, start with pre-cooked chicken—rotisserie is perfect for convenience—and long-grain white rice. A combination of cheddar and mozzarella cheese creates that irresistible melted topping, while a touch of garlic and onion adds savory depth. Feel free to mix in steamed broccoli, peas, or spinach for extra nutrition and color.

Assembling Your Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Assembling this dish couldn’t be easier: combine all your ingredients in a large bowl, transfer them to a casserole dish, cover with foil, and bake. Halfway through, uncover and let the cheese brown and bubble. The result is a golden, cheesy crust atop pillowy rice and juicy chicken—a one-pan wonder that makes cleanup a breeze.

Serving Suggestions for a Stand-Out Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Serve this casserole with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables to balance the richness. A sprinkling of fresh parsley or chopped green onions adds a pop of color and a burst of flavor. For a crowd or potluck, simply double the recipe and use a larger baking dish—guests can help themselves to hearty portions.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields approximately 6 generous servings. Each serving is about 420 to 480 calories, depending on the cheese and additional mix-ins. With protein, veggies, and grains all in one pan, this casserole is both satisfying and simple to serve.

Deliciously Unique Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole (Recap)

This casserole brings together tender chicken, creamy rice, and gooey cheese in a way that’s impossible to resist. It’s a forgiving, flexible recipe that’s sure to become a staple in your meal planning rotation.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, cooked rice, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, cream of chicken soup, milk, peas and carrots (if using), onion, garlic, and dried thyme or Italian seasoning. Mix thoroughly.
3. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
4. Pour the mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish and spread it out with a spatula.
5. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
6. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions before serving, if desired.
8. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole is perfect for weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe to plan which days to make it and automatically generate smart shopping lists that consolidate ingredients from all your planned meals for the week.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically tallies total ingredient amounts across recipes
• Organizes shopping lists by grocery store sections
• Helps avoid overbuying and forgotten ingredients
• Makes meal planning efficient and stress-free

Pro tip: When planning several meals for the week, schedule your recipes to see overlapping ingredients, such as chicken or cheese. The shopping list updates your totals—saving time and reducing food waste!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Total Time: 50–55 minutes