Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
A wholesome and comforting casserole made with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and gooey cheddar cheese, perfect for feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown, as preferred)
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Reserve 1.5 cups for the topping.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil For greasing the baking dish.
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- If you haven’t already cooked your chicken, you can poach it in seasoned water or roast it in the oven until fully cooked. Let it cool, then shred or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- If your rice isn’t cooked yet, prepare it according to package instructions.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cooked rice, frozen vegetables, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Stir well until everything is evenly mixed.
- Fold in 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese into the mixture. Reserve the remaining cheese for topping.
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray. Pour the chicken and rice mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top of the casserole. If you’re using breadcrumbs, also sprinkle them evenly over the cheese.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes or until it’s bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
You can substitute cooked chicken with rotisserie chicken for quicker preparation. Feel free to mix in other vegetables or cheese varieties to make this casserole your own. Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container.