Chicken and Rice Casserole is the quintessential comfort food dish, perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks with friends. This creamy, cheesy casserole is a family favorite and incredibly simple to throw together with just a handful of ingredients. If you’re looking for a hearty, no-fuss meal that everyone will love, this recipe, inspired by the Pioneer Woman’s down-to-earth cooking style, is exactly what you need.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken and Rice Casserole
This isn’t just any chicken and rice casserole; it’s designed to be incredibly easy and satisfying. Here’s why it will become a staple in your kitchen:
- Quick and Easy: From prep to table in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for those hectic evenings.
- Minimal Ingredients: You likely already have most of these pantry staples on hand.
- Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike adore the creamy texture and cheesy goodness.
- Perfect for Potlucks: Easily scaled up to feed a crowd, making it a potluck superstar.
- Comfort Food Classic: Warm, comforting, and utterly delicious – it’s pure comfort in a dish.
Simple Ingredients for Maximum Flavor
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cooked Chicken: Shredded chicken is the star. Leftover rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken breasts work wonderfully to save time.
- Instant Rice: Instant rice is key for the speed of this recipe. It cooks right in the casserole, absorbing all the delicious flavors.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: This provides the creamy base that makes the casserole so comforting. Use a family-size can for extra richness.
- Seasoning: Onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper – simple seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the dish.
- Cheddar Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese adds a classic cheesy flavor and melts beautifully over the top.
Step-by-Step to Casserole Perfection
Making this chicken and rice casserole is as easy as 1-2-3!
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Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook your instant rice according to package directions. This usually just involves boiling water and adding the rice – a real time saver!
Time Hack: Using instant rice is a game-changer for this recipe. But if you prefer, you can use any type of cooked rice you have on hand, just ensure it’s cooked before adding it to the casserole.*
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Mix it All Together: In a large mixing bowl, combine your cooked and shredded chicken, cooked instant rice, cream of chicken soup, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix everything until it’s well combined and creamy. Pour this mixture into a casserole dish.
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Cheese Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Baking Tips for the Best Casserole
- Don’t Overbake: Baking for just 15-20 minutes is usually enough to heat everything through and melt the cheese. Overbaking can dry out the casserole.
- Cheese Placement: Make sure the cheese is evenly distributed on top for that perfect golden-brown, cheesy crust in every bite.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the casserole sit for a few minutes after coming out of the oven. This allows it to set slightly and makes serving easier.
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. This is great for meal prepping!
- Freezing: To freeze, assemble the casserole in a freezer-safe dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed. You can also bake it from frozen, but you’ll need to add extra baking time (about 30-40 minutes).
Serving Suggestions
This Chicken and Rice Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but you can easily pair it with a simple side dish to round out your dinner:
- Green Salad: A fresh green salad provides a light and refreshing contrast to the richness of the casserole.
- Steamed Vegetables: Steamed broccoli, green beans, or peas are classic and healthy sides.
- Garlic Bread: For extra comfort food indulgence, serve with warm garlic bread or dinner rolls.
using a spoon to scoop out chicken and rice casserole
This Chicken And Rice Casserole Pioneer Woman style is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s easy, delicious, and perfect for any occasion. So gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a comforting meal that will bring smiles to everyone around the table!
