If you are on the hunt for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner that feels like a warm hug on a plate, this Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe is exactly what you need. It blends tender chicken, creamy soup, and fluffy rice all baked under a crispy Ritz cracker topping that adds the perfect buttery crunch. Whether for a family meal or a potluck dish, this recipe is incredibly simple to throw together and delivers big on flavor and satisfaction every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients might be pantry staples, but together they create an unbeatable combo of creamy, savory, and crispy textures. Each one plays an essential role in making this casserole irresistibly delicious and wonderfully easy to prepare.
- Chicken breasts (3 cooked and shredded or cubed, about 4 cups): The hearty protein base is tender and ready to soak up all the creamy flavors.
- Campbell’s cream of chicken soup (2 cans or 1 large can): This adds richness and a luscious, velvety texture that ties the casserole together.
- Minute rice (2 cups uncooked): Quick cooking rice keeps the dish speedy and light yet filling.
- Chicken broth (2 cups): It infuses the rice with a savory depth enhancing the meal’s flavor complexity.
- Sour cream (1 cup): A tangy creaminess that balances the richness and moistens the casserole delightfully.
- Ritz crackers (2 sleeves, crushed): The secret to that irresistible golden, buttery crunch on top.
- Salted butter (1/2 cup): Coats the cracker crumbs to create the perfect crisp topping layer.
How to Make Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready by the time you finish assembling your casserole—this ensures even cooking from the get-go.
Step 2: Mix Ingredients
Grab a large bowl and combine the cream of chicken soup, cooked chicken, uncooked rice, chicken broth, and sour cream. Stir everything thoroughly until you have a creamy, cohesive mixture—this is the hearty base of your casserole.
Step 3: Prepare the Baking Dish
Evenly spread the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Making sure it’s spread out in a uniform layer helps your casserole cook consistently, giving you perfectly tender rice and chicken all around.
Step 4: Crush Crackers
Place the Ritz crackers in a sealable plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them finely. These crumbs are the key to the irresistible crunch topping.
Step 5: Butter the Crumbs
Add the softened salted butter to the bag with cracker crumbs, reseal, and shake vigorously. This coats every crumb in rich, buttery goodness that will crisp up beautifully in the oven.
Step 6: Top the Casserole
Spread the buttery cracker crumbs evenly over the chicken and rice mixture in your baking dish—this step creates that signature golden crunchy layer that everyone loves.
Step 7: Bake
Place the casserole on the middle rack and bake for 40 minutes. When the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and crispy, and the rice is tender, your Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe is ready to come out of the oven.
Step 8: Serve
Allow the casserole to rest a few minutes before serving. This helps it set slightly and makes scooping portions neat and satisfying. Now it’s time to dig in and enjoy a hearty, creamy comfort classic!
How to Serve Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives on top just before serving brightens the dish with a pop of color and a hint of herbal freshness that complements the creamy flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
This casserole pairs wonderfully with simple, crisp green veggies like steamed broccoli or a fresh garden salad. The light veggies cut through the dish’s richness, rounding out the meal perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming twist, serve individual portions in small ramekins for a personalized touch. Or layer the casserole with extra cheese between the rice mix and cracker topping for a gooey, cheesy surprise that elevates this classic even further.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your leftover chicken rice casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3 days, making for easy next-day meals.
Freezing
This Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe freezes like a dream. Transfer portions or the whole unbaked casserole into freezer-safe containers and store for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as usual.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in the oven at 325°F until warmed through to restore that crispy top, or microwave individual servings for a quick lunch. Adding a sprinkle of a little extra butter or cheese on top before reheating can bring back that fresh-baked charm.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking my own chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut and adds even more flavor to the casserole. Just shred or cube it up and it’s ready to go.
What if I don’t have Ritz crackers? What can I use instead?
Panko breadcrumbs or crushed saltine crackers are great alternatives and will still provide a crunchy topping. For extra richness, toss them with melted butter before sprinkling on top.
Is it possible to make this casserole gluten free?
You can easily adapt the recipe by using gluten-free cream of chicken soup, gluten-free crackers or breadcrumbs, and gluten-free rice. This way, everyone can enjoy this comforting dish safely.
What type of rice works best in this recipe?
Minute rice or any quick-cooking white rice is ideal for this casserole because it cooks perfectly while the dish bakes. Using regular uncooked rice may require adjusted cooking times or added liquid.
Can I add vegetables to the Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe?
Definitely! Adding frozen peas, diced carrots, or mushrooms can boost nutrition and add lovely color and texture. Just fold them in with the other ingredients before baking.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe is one of those magic meals that feels like a special occasion every time you make it, yet it’s incredibly easy and fuss-free. Cozy, creamy, and topped with that iconic crunchy crust, it’s perfect for family dinners or meal-prepping for the week. I can’t recommend giving it a try enough—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it in your recipe rotation!
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Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This Chicken Rice Casserole is a warm, comforting dish featuring tender chicken, creamy soup, and perfectly cooked rice, all topped with a buttery, crispy Ritz cracker crust. It’s a simple, hearty recipe perfect for family dinners and serves 8 comfortably.
Ingredients
Chicken and Rice Mixture
- 3 chicken breasts (cooked and shredded or cubed, about 4 cups)
- 2 cans Campbell’s cream of chicken soup (or 1 large can)
- 2 cups Minute rice (or quick cooking rice, uncooked)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup sour cream
Topping
- 2 sleeves Ritz crackers (crushed)
- 1/2 cup salted butter (softened)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, cooked cubed or shredded chicken breast, uncooked rice, chicken broth, and sour cream. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Spread the combined mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch baking dish, ensuring an even layer for consistent cooking.
- Crush Crackers: Pour Ritz crackers into a sealable plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin until you have fine crumbs.
- Butter the Crumbs: Add the softened salted butter into the bag with the crushed crackers, reseal, and shake vigorously to coat the crumbs evenly with the butter.
- Top the Casserole: Evenly spread the buttered cracker crumbs over the top of the casserole mixture in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the casserole on the middle rack of the warm oven and bake for 40 minutes until the cracker topping turns golden brown and crispy, and the rice is tender.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole sit for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your hearty and creamy Chicken Rice Casserole!
Notes
- For best results, use cooked chicken breasts that are still warm to help the rice cook evenly.
- This casserole can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated before baking.
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup if desired for a different flavor profile.
- Use quick cooking rice such as Minute rice to ensure it cooks fully during baking.
- If you prefer less salty dishes, use low-sodium chicken broth and unsalted butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
