Can I make chicken and rice casserole ahead or freeze it?

Yes. Assemble ahead and refrigerate, then bake when ready. It also freezes well before baking, making it a great freezer meal.

Recipes · Casseroles

Creamy Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole

Name: Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked shredded chicken; 1.5 cups instant white rice; 1 can cream of chicken soup; 1 can cream of mushroom soup; 1 can cream of celery soup; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 cup frozen peas; 4 tablespoons melted butter; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1.5 cups shredded cheddar

By Janet
From Janet's Recipe Box · 15 min prep · 45 min bake

A baking dish of creamy chicken and rice casserole with peas and melted cheddar on top — Creamy, cheesy, and cozy to the core. The kind of casserole everyone goes back for seconds of.

If you love a cozy comfort-food dinner, this creamy chicken and rice casserole belongs in your rotation. It is pure comfort: creamy, cheesy, and cozy, with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a golden cheddar top. Rotisserie chicken and instant rice keep it easy, so it comes together fast on a busy night but still feels like a hug in a dish. It is the kind of casserole everybody scrapes the pan clean for.

Prep

15 min

Bake

45 min

Oven

375F

Serves

6 to 8

Honesty note: this is how I roughly throw it together, not a precise science. It is a dump-and-bake casserole, so treat the amounts as a starting point and adjust the creaminess and cheese to your taste.

Ingredients

3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie is perfect)
1.5 cups instant white rice, uncooked
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup (or a second cream of chicken)
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup frozen peas
4 tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp smoked paprika, plus salt and pepper
1.5 cups shredded cheddar

How I make it

Preheat the oven to 375F and butter a 9x13 baking dish.
In a big bowl, stir together the three cream soups, the chicken broth, melted butter, and smoked paprika until smooth. Season with a little salt and pepper.
Fold in the shredded chicken, uncooked instant rice, and frozen peas until everything is coated.
Pour it all into the baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes, so the rice cooks in all that creamy sauce.
Uncover, scatter the cheddar over the top, and bake another 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the rice is tender.
Let it rest 5 minutes so it sets up, then scoop and serve. It only gets better as leftovers.

My tip: keep it covered for that first bake so the instant rice has enough steam and liquid to cook through. If it looks a touch dry at the end, stir in a splash of warm broth before serving.

Make it your own

Swap the peas for mixed vegetables or broccoli, add a crushed cracker or cornflake topping for crunch, or stir in a little sour cream for extra richness. It is endlessly forgiving. Craving another cozy chicken dinner? My chicken gnocchi soup is just as comforting.

My casserole staples

The 9x13 baking dish I use for everything, my go-to mixing bowls, and the cheese grater I reach for are all in my Amazon storefront.

Shop my kitchen staples → As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use regular rice instead of instant?

Instant rice is what makes this a true dump-and-bake. If you use regular long-grain rice, it needs more liquid and a longer covered bake, or cook it partway first, otherwise it can stay crunchy.

Can I make it ahead or freeze it?

Yes. Assemble it ahead and refrigerate, then bake when you are ready (add a few minutes). It also freezes well before baking, so it is a great freezer meal.

What can I serve with chicken and rice casserole?

It is a full meal on its own, but a simple green salad, steamed broccoli, or crusty bread rounds it out nicely.

Heads up: some links in this post are affiliate links to my Amazon storefront, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. I only share things I actually use.

Janet

Orlando mom and the creator behind Planet Janet TV. Janet's Recipe Box is my collection of the approachable, slightly elevated meals I actually cook. Come say hi on Instagram.

Cozy Chicken Gnocchi Soup

The Olive Garden copycat that tastes even better at home.

Read the chicken gnocchi soup recipe →

A cozy comfort-food casserole from Janet's Recipe Box. Amounts are a starting point, adjust to taste.