Mom’s Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

This Chicken and Rice Casserole was one of the first blog posts I put up back in the days where I was essentially trying to create an online cookbook for myself and my family of favorite recipes. I didn’t even have a photo for it back then!

This recipe is an old family favorite.  My mom used to make Chicken and Rice Casserole all the time when I was growing up. In fact, often times if I were sick, it’s one of the recipes I’d ask for. It was kind of like chicken soup in casserole form. Now it’s one that my daughter and I like a lot too.  It’s quick and easy to prepare, making it ideal for a busy weeknight dinner.

I remember it being one of the first meals I learned to cook as well. The simplicity of it made it perfect for a young child to learn to make. Once you’ve prepared it a few times, you won’t even need the recipe anymore. It only has a few ingredients and it’s so easy to vary it according to your preferences. Or just to switch things up a bit now and then.

This Chicken and Rice Casserole was even a regular part of our meal rotation for our many family camping trips each summer. It’s perfect for a foil packet dinner!  Prepare as instructed but instead of putting in a casserole dish, simply make a packet out of doubled thick aluminum foil. Cook it over your campfire or even on the BBQ. I usually add extra liquid to it when cooking it this way as it tends to dry out a little faster.

Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

5 from 3 votes

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Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole

This Chicken and Rice Casserole is an old family favourite. My mom used to make this all the time when I was growing up and now it’s one that my daughter and I like a lot too. It’s quick and easy to make.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken, rice

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 493 kcal

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts We prefer boneless, skinless breasts with this but my mom used assorted chicken pieces.
• 1 can cream of chicken soup You can use cream of celery or cream of mushroom if you prefer.
• 10 oz water A soup can's worth works fine. You can substitute milk for all or part of the water if you want.
• 2 cups instant rice uncooked
• 1 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1 tsp rosemary
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Stir rice and soup together.

2. Place rice mixture in casserole dish. I like to spray it with cooking spray to make it easier to dish up. 

3. Place chicken pieces on top of rice mixture. 

4. Mix seasonings together and sprinkle evenly over top of the chicken and rice. 

5. Bake at 325 degrees F for 40-45 minutes until chicken and rice are cooked through. Timing may vary a bit according to thickness of chicken pieces.

Nutrition Facts

Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Amount Per Serving

Calories 493 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 150mg50%

Sodium 805mg35%

Potassium 885mg25%

Carbohydrates 41g14%

Fiber 1g4%

Protein 53g106%

Vitamin A 205IU4%

Vitamin C 2.7mg3%

Calcium 39mg4%

Iron 4.6mg26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Variations on the basic recipe:

You can make the casserole as directed but add some vegetables to the dish – for example, a 10 oz. pkg. of frozen spinach, green beans, or peas, or 2 cups broccoli (fresh or frozen).  If using green beans, you might want to top with 1/2 cup of those canned French fried onions just before serving.

If using broccoli, you might want to add some cheese to the recipe – the variation I saw on the Kraft site called for 1/4 lb. of cut up Velveeta but I would stir in some grated cheese instead.

Mom’s Chicken and Rice Casserole is such a classic dish – and for good reason! It’s a simple inexpensive way to put together a complete meal for your family. Best of all, it’s delicious. 

Check out some more really easy and really yummy family favorite casseroles here – 

Pierogi Casserole

Pork Chops and Rice Skillet Casserole