introduction
This Easy One Pan Ground Chicken Casserole is a quick, soft, and warm dish you can make any night. It cooks in one pan and cleans up fast. If you like simple chicken dinners, try this and also check a recipe for easy baked boneless skinless chicken thighs for another easy meal.
why make this recipe
Make this recipe because it is fast, low fuss, and good for family meals. It uses ground chicken so it is lean and mild. You can change the vegetables and cheese to your taste. This dish saves time and uses just one pan, so cleanup is simple.
how to make Easy One Pan Ground Chicken Casserole
This is a one-pan method. You brown the ground chicken, add vegetables and rice or pasta, stir in a sauce, top with cheese, and bake until bubbly. For a similar casserole idea, see a classic Pioneer Woman chicken rice casserole to get more ideas for creamy bakes.
Ingredients :
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- 1 cup uncooked white rice (or 2 cups cooked rice)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning or 1 tbsp fresh parsley
- Optional: 1/2 cup sour cream or cream cheese for extra creaminess
Directions :
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and garlic. Cook 2–3 minutes until soft.
- Add ground chicken. Break into pieces and cook until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Stir in rice (if using uncooked) and frozen vegetables. Mix well.
- Pour in chicken broth and milk. Stir to combine. If you want creamier texture, add sour cream or cream cheese now.
- Bring to a low boil, then cover and simmer 10 minutes on low to let rice absorb some liquid (if using uncooked rice).
- Remove from heat. Sprinkle half the cheese over the top.
- Place skillet in preheated oven and bake 15–20 minutes, until rice is tender (if uncooked) and casserole is bubbly.
- Remove from oven, top with remaining cheese, and let sit 5 minutes before serving.
If you use cooked rice, stir cooked rice in at step 6 and bake only 10–15 minutes to heat through and melt cheese.
how to serve Easy One Pan Ground Chicken Casserole
Serve hot straight from the pan. Add a green salad or steamed broccoli on the side. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onion for color. This casserole pairs well with crusty bread or simple roasted vegetables.
how to store Easy One Pan Ground Chicken Casserole
Let the casserole cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until hot, or warm single portions in the microwave for 1–2 minutes. You can freeze portions in a freezer-safe dish for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
tips to make Easy One Pan Ground Chicken Casserole
- Use an oven-safe skillet to go from stove to oven in one pan.
- Brown the chicken well for more flavor.
- If you prefer lower carbs, try a version like this creamy low-carb chicken casserole for ideas on swaps.
- Use cooked rice or pasta to cut bake time.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper before baking.
variation (if any)
- Swap in ground turkey or lean beef if you like.
- Use quinoa or cauliflower rice for a different texture.
- Add spices like smoked paprika or taco seasoning for a bolder flavor.
- Stir in chopped spinach or kale for more greens.
- Top with breadcrumbs mixed with a little melted butter for a crunchy crust.
FAQs
Q: Can I use cooked rice instead of uncooked?
A: Yes. If you use cooked rice, stir it in and bake only until hot and cheese melts, about 10–15 minutes.
Q: Is ground chicken safe to eat fully cooked this way?
A: Yes. Cook ground chicken until it is no longer pink and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes. Use dairy-free milk and dairy-free cheese or skip the cheese and add extra broth and herbs.
Q: Can I make this in advance?
A: Yes. Prepare and bake, then cool and refrigerate. Reheat when ready to serve. You can also assemble cold and bake later, but check rice cooking time if using uncooked rice.
Q: How do I make it spicier?
A: Add chopped jalapeños, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or a teaspoon of chili powder when cooking the chicken.
Conclusion
For another one-pan chicken and rice idea with cheese and broccoli, see One-Pan Cheesy Ground Chicken and Rice with Broccoli. If you like a pasta skillet version, try Ground Chicken Pasta Skillet – Laughing Spatula for a simple twist. For a taco-flavored bake, check this Ground Chicken Taco Casserole.
Easy One Pan Ground Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken Lean protein option
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- 1 cup uncooked white rice Or 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning Or 1 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup sour cream or cream cheese Optional for extra creaminess
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes until soft.
- Add ground chicken. Break into pieces and cook until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Stir in rice (if using uncooked) and frozen vegetables. Mix well.
- Pour in chicken broth and milk. Stir to combine. If you want a creamier texture, add sour cream or cream cheese now.
- Bring to a low boil, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes on low to let rice absorb some liquid (if using uncooked rice).
- Remove from heat. Sprinkle half the cheese over the top.
- Place skillet in preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, until rice is tender (if uncooked) and casserole is bubbly.
- Remove from oven, top with remaining cheese, and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
