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Easy Dump and Bake Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

A close-up serving of creamy rice casserole with shredded chicken, broccoli, and a golden-brown melted cheese topping.
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This creamy, cheesy chicken and rice casserole is the ultimate comfort food. It uses simple ingredients and requires minimal prep, making it a perfect, easy one-pan meal for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked white rice (leftover rice works great)
  • 2 cans (10.5 ounces each) condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
  • 1 cup frozen broccoli florets (optional, for a veggie boost)
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup crushed butter crackers (like Ritz) for topping
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, milk, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper until smooth. This is your creamy sauce base.
  3. Stir in the cooked rice, shredded chicken, and frozen broccoli florets (if using) into the sauce mixture. Mix until everything is evenly coated.
  4. Pour the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish.
  5. Sprinkle 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole mixture.
  6. In a small bowl, combine the crushed butter crackers with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle this topping over the cheese layer.
  7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown.
  8. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top while it rests so it melts slightly.
  9. Serve this hearty baked rice meal warm.

Notes

  • For a Pioneer Woman style flavor, add a small packet of dry ranch seasoning mix to the soup mixture.
  • If you do not have cooked chicken, you can use 1 pound of raw, diced chicken breast, but you must increase the baking time to about 50–60 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
  • This is a great budget friendly casserole recipe; feel free to substitute the chicken with canned tuna for a different flavor profile.
  • If you want a crispier topping, bake the casserole uncovered for 20 minutes, then add the topping and bake for the final 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastetaught.com/easy-creamy-chicken-rice-casserole-recipe/