Easy Chicken Casserole

5 from 13 votes
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Easy Chicken Casserole lives up to its name; easy to make, easy to eat and easy to clean up! Perfect dinner for busy weeknights when nothing but “easy” will do.

Easy Chicken Casserole with a green salad on the side
Featured with this Recipe
  1. An Easy Chicken Dinner
  2. Ingredients in Easy Chicken Casserole
  3. Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
  4. Substitutes for Canned Soups
  5. Easy Clean-Up
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. What to Serve with Easy Chicken Casserole
  8. How to Make Easy Chicken Casserole
  9. Easy Chicken Casserole Recipe

An Easy Chicken Dinner

I call this recipe “Easy Chicken Casserole” for two reasons. It is easy to make and it is easy to clean up after dinner. It could have just as easily been called “Delicious Chicken and Rice Casserole” or “Creamy Chicken Casserole” or “Comfort Chicken Casserole” because it is all of those things as well. I have used this recipe for the past twenty-five years as a simple weeknight meal. My family loves it and it works great during the school year when we are juggling homework, sports, church activities, and chores. I do try to limit the amount of meals in a month that I use “cream of” soups, but all things in moderation. The delicious taste and ease of the meal keeps it on the menu.

Ingredients in Easy Chicken Casserole

  • boneless skinless chicken breasts – cut into bite size pieces
  • instant white rice – I use Minute Rice
  • condensed cream of chicken soup
  • condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • condensed cream of celery soup
  • condensed French onion soup
  • water – use empty soup can to measure
  • butter – melted
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Ingredient Additions and Substitutions

This delicious chicken casserole recipe tastes amazing as it is, the simple flavor is pure comfort food. But if you want to mix things up you can always give this recipe some variations. Here are some ideas:

  • sprinkle on some cheddar cheese over the top after baking for a cheesy chicken casserole
  • crush some ritz crackers or corn flakes over the top for a crunchy top crust
  • add some spices like red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, or oregano
  • swap out the rice for some wild rice, cauliflower rice, or pasta
  • swap out the chicken for cut up rotisserie chicken
  • add a little sour cream or cream cheese for some added creaminess
  • add some veggies like broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, or cauliflower
Easy Chicken Casserole served on a plate with a green salad and fork to the side


Substitutes for Canned Soups

This recipe could not be simpler, mainly because it consists of chicken, rice and four different kinds of canned soup with make up the sauce. If you’re not keen on using that much condensed canned stuff in a recipe, we have created two delicious homemade versions of Cream of Chicken and Cream of Mushroom Soups. They’re super easy to make, and taste much richer and fresher and have way less sodium than those canned brands. For the other canned soups called for, you can opt for low sodium options, which still taste delicious.

Easy Clean-Up

As great as it tastes, the best part of this chicken casserole is the clean up. The foil lining in the casserole dish keeps the moisture in so the rice cooks can be removed after serving and the baking dish needs little to no cleaning, scrubbing, or soaking – happy day for whoever is doing dishes!

Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole in a pan lined with foil

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the components of a casserole?

A starch, a sauce, and a protein or vegetable (or both) baked in a casserole dish. Often times a cheese is also added.

What should I do with leftovers?

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.

What do you serve with chicken casserole?

We usually do a side salad and dinner roll.

Read Next: Spaghetti Casserole

What to Serve with Easy Chicken Casserole

I always serve this casserole with a side vegetable and a large green salad to keep the overall meal on the healthier side. Try a few of these delicious side dish recipes that pair perfectly with this casserole:

How to Make Easy Chicken Casserole

Easy Chicken Casserole

5 from 13 votes
Easy Chicken Casserole lives up to its name; easy to make, easy to eat and easy to clean up! Perfect dinner for busy weeknights when nothing but "easy" will do.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Equipment

  • 9×13 inch pan

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13 baking dish with aluminum foil and spray foil with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a bowl, whisk together all the soups and the water. Pour half of soup mixture in the bottom of the baking dish.
  • Add rice evenly over the soup mixture.
  • Evenly place the chicken pieces on top of the rice.
  • Drizzle the melted butter over the chicken.
  • Pour remaining soup mixture over chicken and rice. Be sure the rice is completely covered.
  • Cover entire dish with aluminum foil, sealing it well around the edges of the pan. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
  • Remove aluminum foil cover from the pan. Use a wooden spoon to stir the casserole before serving. Be careful not to tear the foil on the bottom of the pan.

Notes

Recipe Tips:

  • If you’re not keen on using that much condensed canned stuff in a recipe, we have created two delicious homemade versions of Cream of Chicken and Cream of Mushroom Soups. They’re super easy to make, and taste much richer and fresher and have way less sodium than those canned brands.
  • For the other canned soups called for, you can opt for low sodium options, which still taste delicious.
  • As great as it tastes, the best part of this chicken casserole is the clean up. The foil lining that keeps the moisture in so the rice cooks can be removed after serving and the baking dish needs little to no cleaning, scrubbing, or soaking.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 437kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 20gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 1119mgPotassium: 361mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 490IUVitamin C: 0.7mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 4.5mg

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About the author

Echo Blickenstaff

Echo lives in Pleasant Grove, Utah with her husband, Todd, who works in advertising, and her four kids: two girls and two boys. She deploys her accounting degree as the blog’s resident problem solver. In her time outside the kitchen, Echo loves to get away from the phones and busy schedules and spend quality time with the family. Anywhere’s great – but getting out into nature in the mountains or on the beach – is the best kind of getaway.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    An all in one dinner! Love that the rice is combined with the chicken. Great combo! Would love this paired with some vegetables.

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