Need a quick and easy weeknight meal that can be made in one dish? This is literally one of the easiest casserole dishes around and you only need one dish and everything can be cooked at the same time. All you’ll need for this recipe is fresh chicken, broccoli, rice, and shredded cheese. That’s it! There is no need to cook the chicken and rice beforehand either. Simply add everything to your casserole dish, cover with tinfoil and pop it in the oven and you’re good to go! This is a wonderful dish to make the night before Thanksgiving too!
EASY ONE DISH MEALS THAT ARE COMFORT FOOD AT IT’S FINEST
Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole is the dish to make if you want fresh ingredients but you are low on time and brain space. I think we could all use a little more ease in our lives right now, don’t you?
This easy one pan dish is what I call a classic casserole, like the ones I remember my Grandmother made nightly. We are from the Italians form the Midwest so casserole’s a big deal in my family. Chicken and rice casserole is your quintessential casserole dish that serves all of the basic purposes. Protein, veggies, carbs, and loads of cheese.
This is also the perfect dish to make the night before Thanksgiving rather than ordering pizza. I always vote more nutritious food before you binge-eat the next day.
I know many people don’t cook the night before Thanksgiving. In fact, I think that is one of the highest leading sales night for pizza places in the United States. And can you blame us? Who wants to cook the night before Thanksgiving? But what if I told you that all you need for my easy Chicken and Rice Casserole was one casserole dish and all of the ingredients cooked at the same time in the oven?
SET IT AND FORGET IT
Have I piqued your interest now? You can literally throw all of these ingredients into one dish, put in the oven, set a timer and forget about it until it’s ready to eat. I used to think Chicken and Rice Casserole was so hard and that the chicken and rice had to be cooked before everything else. Guess what? They don’t.
Everything is added to the dish and then you cover it with tinfoil and cook it for 45-minutes to an hour. Go watch your favorite Netflix show while dinner is cooking and before you know it, you will have an easy and delicious Chicken and Rice Casserole at your fingertips.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR THIS EASY AND DELICIOUS RECIPE
You can use chicken breasts for this recipe or chicken tenders. Bear in mind that Chicken and Rice Casserole is traditionally made with two to four chicken breasts, depending on how many people you are cooking for.
Using chicken tenders is another good option but note that the chicken tenders will cook a bit faster versus using chicken breasts. This recipe is a cinch to make and I’m betting you will be adding this recipe to your weekly dinner rotation.
Why not make it the night before the big day too? Yes, you may be cooking the evening before Thanksgiving but at least it’s easy and basically the oven does all of the work for you.
You will need chicken, rice, (I prefer to use Jasmine rice in all of my cooking, the nutty flavor makes dishes even more delicious!) Broccoli, and cheese. You will also need chopped onion and fresh chopped garlic and spices. If you prefer your casseroles more bland, simply leave out the spices.
Speaking of the Holidays, Are you guys excited for Thanksgiving? We are having a quiet celebration at home and I’ll be spending the day cooking. What I’m really excited for is the day after Thanksgiving when we are getting our Christmas tree. We grow them on our farm and will be chopping our tree down ourselves. I’m excited about that and all of the Christmas decorating the next day.
I hope you all are hanging in there and keeping a positive mind. I myself am starting to unravel a bit, but I’m throwiing myself into work and shooting all the Christmas recipes for the blog. I’ve been stress baking like crazy, but quite honestly it’s the only thing keeping me above water right now.
Whatever the end result it, may God be with us all.
📖 Recipe
Easy Chicken And Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1- tablespoon EVOO
- 1- large onion chopped
- 2- cups of uncooked rice
- 2- cups uncooked broccoli
- 1- can Cream of Chicken & Mushroom Soup
- 2- cups chicken bone broth
- 1- teaspoon sea salt and black pepper
- 4- chicken breasts
- 2- pads of butter
- 1- clove garlic finely minced
- 2- cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350-degrees and grease a 9”-x-“13 baking dish with olive oil. Add the onion, rice, broccoli, bone broth, and soup and stir well until combined. Season with salt and pepper and any other seasonings you prefer.
- Place chicken breasts in the rice mixture and top with the pads of butter. Sprinkle with fresh garlic and additional spices.
- Cover dish with foil and bake for 1-hour. Uncover and bake for 15-minute more until the rice and chicken are cooked. Sprinkle on the cheddar cheese and bake for 5-more minutes.
Nutrition
Scarlet
This chicken and rice casserole sounds right up my alley. I am pinning to make soon!
Genevieve Jerome
Thanks, Scarlet! I hope you enjoy the recipe. 🙂
Lesli Schwartz
I haven't made a chicken casserole in years! Now you've given me reason to get in the kitchen and make this recipe! Looks absolutely delish and perfect for the upcoming holidays!
Amy Liu Dong
This recipe makes me so hungry, it so delicious and so easy to make. I'll be saving this recipe, thank you!
Stine Mari
I love how easy this is, one pan dishes are the best. And it looks so delicious too!
Marta
This is so perfect for the colder months. The crunch on this chicken casserole is not to be missed!
Genevieve Jerome
Hi Marta! I love a good crunch on my casseroles too. Easy and wonderful for chilly nights. California is getting cold these days.
Jere' Cassidy
I love these types of casseroles, they are always so delicious. Chicken and rice is always a family favorite.
Genevieve Jerome
Chicken and rice is a classic of the midwest and so easy to make. Thanks Jere! 🙂
Sondra Barker
Wow! Yum. This looks so delicious. Perfect for the holidays. Thanks for the recipe.
Genevieve Jerome
Hi Sondra! Thanks for reading and I agree, it is the perfect meal for the upcoming holidays! 🙂
Leslie
One dish meals are seriously the best for big families! This looks like something my whole family will enjoy!
Genevieve Jerome
Thanks, Leslie! This recipe is perfect for big families. It's a big midwest staple for my family back home. 🙂
Julie
What a great meal! Chicken casserole is such a great dinner idea and this one came out lovely. My family asked for it again.
Genevieve Jerome
Hi Julie, that's wonderful to hear! I love that your family loved it. It's fun to make on nights when you want to over complicate cooking. Thanks for your feedback. 🙂
Gail Montero
I agree we all could use an easy fuss-free meal, especially for those busy nights. This looks easy and tasty!
Genevieve Jerome
Thanks, Gail! I love easy and delicious and this recipe checks all those boxes. 🙂
Jacqueline
I love how super easy this chicken and rice casserole is. Perfect for weeknights when time is limited. Instead of canned soup do you think more broth and some cream would work just as well? We don't get really good quality canned soup here in Italy!
Genevieve Jerome
Hi Jacqueline! That's a wonderful idea! You know, I think more bone broth and cream would wonderfully and would make it extra creamy. I'm going to try your suggestions and make some edits to this recipe. Thanks for the tip. 🙂
Chef Dennis
What a delicious recipe for chicken and rice! this is a great weeknight meal
Genevieve Jerome
Thanks, Chef Dennis! I love easy and this recipe fits the bill.