Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole (Printable)

Tender chicken and rice baked in rich creamy cheese sauce for a comforting family meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded

→ Rice & Grains

02 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed

→ Dairy & Cheese

06 - 1 cup sour cream
07 - 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
08 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup

→ Liquids & Fats

10 - 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Spices & Seasonings

12 - ½ teaspoon salt
13 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
14 - ½ teaspoon paprika
15 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent, about 3 minutes.
03 - In a large bowl, combine the sautéed onion and garlic, cooked chicken, uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, peas and carrots, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Mix until fully incorporated.
04 - Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly across the bottom.
05 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
06 - Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole. Bake uncovered for an additional 8–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pan before the oven, so cleanup is almost nonexistent
  • The rice cooks right in the sauce, absorbing all those creamy flavors while staying perfectly fluffy
  • It reheats beautifully for lunch the next day, if there is any left
02 -
  • The rice must be uncooked when you mix everything together or it will turn into mush
  • Covering tightly with foil is non negotiable, the steam is what cooks the rice properly
  • Letting it rest for 5 minutes seems minor but makes the difference between runny and perfectly creamy
03 -
  • Crispy bacon crumbled on top before the final bake creates an amazing smoky contrast
  • Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre shredded for better melting

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