Get ready for the ultimate in fuss-free comfort food with this incredible Easy Baked Chicken and Rice! This is a beloved, classic casserole that brings together tender chicken and fluffy rice in a rich, creamy sauce, all baked to golden perfection in one dish. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights, offering a complete, satisfying meal with minimal effort and even less cleanup.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Easy Baked Chicken and Rice casserole is a true lifesaver in my kitchen, and I absolutely love it for its unbeatable simplicity and incredible comfort factor. What makes it so special is how effortlessly it creates a wholesome, satisfying meal. The combination of three different cream of soups creates a rich, savory, and incredibly creamy base that infuses the rice with amazing flavor while keeping the chicken wonderfully moist. It’s a true “dump and bake” recipe – just mix, cover, and let the oven do all the work! It consistently delivers a warm, hearty, and deeply satisfying meal that’s a guaranteed hit with the whole family, and the best part is the easy cleanup.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this comforting Easy Baked Chicken and Rice:
- 1½ cups Minute Rice (Regular or Instant Rice is perfect for this)
- 1 (10 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10 ounce) can cream of celery soup
- Chicken pieces (bone-in or boneless, about 1½ – 2 lbs chicken breasts, thighs, or a mix)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Swaps and Notes
- Minute Rice: This recipe relies on Minute Rice or instant rice for its quick-cooking properties. Do not substitute with regular uncooked long-grain rice, as cooking times and liquid absorption will differ significantly.
- Cream of Soups: The combination of cream of chicken, mushroom, and celery soups creates a complex, creamy base. You can adjust the types of cream of soup based on your preference (e.g., use two cans of cream of chicken and one cream of mushroom).
- Chicken Pieces: Bone-in chicken (thighs or drumsticks) will result in more flavorful and moist chicken, but boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs also work great for quicker prep.
- Seasoning: Salt and pepper are essential. Feel free to add a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or a dash of poultry seasoning to the chicken for extra flavor before baking.
- Optional Additions: You can stir in ½ cup of frozen peas or corn with the rice mixture for added vegetables and color. You can also sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for a cheesy crust.
Instructions
Let’s get this delicious Easy Baked Chicken and Rice casserole baking!
- Preheat Oven & Prep Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Mix Rice and Soups: In a large mixing bowl, combine the 1½ cups Minute Rice and all three cans of soup (cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, and cream of celery). Stir thoroughly until the rice is evenly coated and the soups are well blended.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the rice mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Place the chicken pieces (bone-in or boneless, seasoned lightly with salt and pepper) on top of the rice mixture.
- Cover & Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 90 minutes. The tight foil cover is crucial as it traps steam, allowing the Minute Rice to cook perfectly and the chicken to become tender and juicy.
- Season & Serve: Carefully remove the casserole from the oven and remove the foil (be cautious of escaping steam!). Add salt and pepper to taste directly over the chicken and rice. Enjoy your warm and comforting meal!
Tips for Success
- Use Minute Rice: This recipe is specifically designed for instant or Minute Rice due to its ability to absorb liquid quickly during baking. Using regular rice will result in undercooked rice.
- Cover Tightly: Ensure the baking dish is covered very tightly with foil. This creates the steam necessary to cook the rice and chicken evenly and keep everything moist.
- Even Spread: Spread the rice mixture evenly to ensure consistent cooking throughout the casserole.
- Don’t Peek: Resist the urge to lift the foil during baking, as this releases steam and can affect the cooking process.
- Season to Taste at End: Different brands of soup and chicken broth can vary in saltiness, so it’s best to adjust the salt and pepper at the end.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Easy Baked Chicken and Rice is a complete and incredibly satisfying meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with:
- A Simple Dinner Salad: A light green salad with a vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the casserole.
- Steamed Vegetables: A side of green beans, asparagus, or broccoli for an extra vegetable boost.
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for soaking up any extra creamy sauce.
- For other incredibly popular, crowd-pleasing casseroles or one-pan meals, consider our This Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole Is My Favorite One-Pan Dinner That’s Always a Hit or our These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way to Feed a Crowd Fast.
Storage and Leftover Tips
This casserole makes fantastic leftovers, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors deepen!
- Refrigeration: Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The casserole will thicken considerably as it cools, and the rice will absorb more liquid.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through. For best results, reheat in a preheated oven or toaster oven at 300-350°F (150-175°C) until bubbly and hot. You may want to add a splash of milk or chicken broth when reheating to rehydrate the rice and loosen the sauce.
- Freezing: This casserole freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat as directed above.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Baked Chicken and Rice recipe is a brilliant solution for bringing a truly comforting, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal to your table with minimal effort. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner, promising a dish full of rich, creamy, and hearty goodness that will make everyone happy.
Give this recipe a try and let the delicious aromas fill your kitchen! What’s your go-to “dump and bake” casserole for a fuss-free meal? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy cooking!
Leave a Reply