This creamy chicken and rice casserole is the perfect comfort food. In this recipe, chicken, rice and vegetables are combined with a creamy sauce, topped with buttery, crunchy breadcrumbs and baked until golden and bubbly.
Like this chicken and rice bake, this easy lasagna casserole, baked spaghetti and baked ziti with sausage are affordable, easy and feed a crowd. These casseroles are great for Sunday dinner, and you may even have leftovers, maybe.
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Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken Breast, boneless, skinless, poached
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 2-3 Sprigs of Thyme
- ½ teaspoon Salt, plus a pinch
- 2 cups Water
- 1 cup Long Grain White Rice
- 8-10 ounces Frozen Mixed Vegetables, cooked to package directions (use lowest suggested time on the package, or 1 minute less)
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- ⅓ cup Plain Breadcrumbs
- 2 (10 ounce) cans Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
- 2 ounces Prepared Cheese (like Velveeta)
You will also need:
- Casserole Dish, we used 11”x7”x2” (2.3 quart casserole) don’t use anything smaller. We were right to the top with when all the ingredients were added.
- Aluminum Foil
- Mesh Strainer
- Instant Read Thermometer
Recipe tips
This recipe has multiple components that need to be cooked separately and come together at the end.
- Start the white rice and set the chicken to poach. They take roughly the same amount of time to cook.
- Then prepare the breadcrumb topping, the sauce, and the frozen vegetables while the chicken and rice cook.
Poach the chicken
Place the chicken in a medium saucepan that’s large enough that the chicken breast pieces fit side by side without overlapping. Cover the chicken with the chicken broth. Add the thyme and a pinch of salt.
- Start the chicken on high, as soon as the liquid starts to boil, lower the heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer gently for 20 minutes or until the chicken is at least 165°F at its thickest part. Use an instant read thermometer to make sure. If it’s not up to temperature cook another 5 minutes and check again.
- Remove the chicken breast from poaching liquid and set it on a cutting board to cool. Don’t discard the cooking liquid. We will use it for the sauce.
- Strain the cooking liquid using a mesh strainer and reserve it for the sauce.
- When the chicken has cooled enough to handle, cut it into bite-sized cubes. For more information on poaching, check out this post all about poached chicken.
Make the white rice
Bring the water to a boil over high heat. When the water is boiling vigorously, add the rice and ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir well and lower the heat to medium.
Boil the rice, uncovered, until most of the water has cooked out and you can see the rice on the surface. This will take approximately 5-7 minutes. Stir the rice one last time, lower the heat to low and cover.
Cook the rice for about 25 minutes or until it’s done. Don’t stir the rice during the cooking time to prevent it from getting gummy. Uncover and fluff with a fork. Take the pan off the heat and reserve until we’re ready to build the casserole. Here’s more information on how to make white rice with step by step instructions and tips.
Prepare the remaining ingredients
- Cook the mixed vegetables to package directions, a little less that the lowest suggested cooking time (we did 1 minute less).
- We don’t want to overcook the vegetables so they hold their shape and texture in the casserole. Use a colander to drain them completely.
- Make the breadcrumb topping by melting 2 tablespoons of butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the breadcrumbs. Stir until they are completely moistened with the butter. Take the skillet off the heat.
- Make the sauce: heat the cream of chicken soup, reserved chicken broth (from poaching the chicken) and the cheese in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir the sauce with a whisk or fork until it is smooth.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F
Build the casserole
Add the rice, chicken, mixed veggies and the creamy sauce to an oven-safe casserole dish or baking pan.
Stir gently to combine the ingredients well. Keep stirring and tossing until everything is coated with the creamy sauce.
Sprinkle the top of the chicken and rice with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle them lightly, don’t pack them down.
Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet, just in case it bubbles over. Cover it loosely with a piece of aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Uncover and cook another 10-15 minutes until the breadcrumbs are a nice golden color and the chicken and rice casserole is bubbly on the edges.
Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving and enjoy.
You may also like these casserole recipes:
- Chicken Tetrazzini
- Turkey Taco Casserole
- Ground Turkey Tater Tot Casserole
- Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
- Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
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Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken Breast boneless, skinless, poached
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 2-3 Sprigs of Thyme
- ½ teaspoon Salt, plus a pinch
- 2 cups Water
- 1 cup Long Grain White Rice
- 8-10 ounces Frozen Mixed Vegetables cooked to package directions (use lowest cooking time)
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- ⅓ cup Plain Breadcrumbs
- 2 (10 ounce) cans Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
- 2 ounces Prepared Cheese like Velveeta
Instructions
Poach the chicken breast
- Place the chicken in a medium saucepan, large enough so that the chicken breast pieces fit side by side without overlapping. Cover the chicken with the chicken broth. Add the thyme and a pinch of salt.
- Start the chicken on high, as soon as the liquid starts to boil, lower the heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer gently for 20 minutes.
- Make sure the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken breast is at least 165°F, if it’s not, cook another 5 minutes and check again. Remove the chicken breast from poaching liquid and set it on a cutting board to cool.
- Strain the cooking liquid using a mesh strainer and reserve it for the creamy sauce.
- When the chicken has cooled enough to handle, cut it into bite-sized cubes.
Cook the white rice
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat. When the water is boiling vigorously, add the rice and ½ teaspoon of salt, stir.
- Lower the heat to medium and boil, uncovered, until most of the water has cooked out and you can see the rice on the surface, approximately 5-7 minutes. Stir the rice, lower the heat to low and cover.
- Cook the rice on low for about 25 minutes or until done.
- Uncover the rice, fluff with a fork.
Cook the mixed vegetables
- Cook the mixed vegetables to package directions and drain thoroughly. Use the lowest cooking time suggested, or less. We did one minute less than the package instructions. Don’t overcook the vegetables so they hold their shape and texture in the casserole.
Make the breadcrumb topping
- Melt the butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the breadcrumbs. Stir, until the breadcrumbs are completely moistened with the butter. Remove from the skillet from the heat.
Make the creamy sauce
- Heat the cream of chicken soup, reserved chicken broth (from poaching the chicken) and the cheese in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir the sauce with a whisk or fork until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove the pan from the heat.
Build the creamy chicken and rice casserole
- Before you build the casserole, preheat the oven to 375°F
- Add the rice, chicken, mixed vegetables and the creamy sauce to a large, oven-safe casserole dish or baking pan. Gently stir to combine well.
- Top with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle them lightly over the top, don’t pack them down.
- Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet, just in case it bubbles over. Cover the casserole dish loosely with a piece of aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and cook another 10-15 minutes until the breadcrumbs are a nice golden color and the edges are bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.
Rita
This looks & sounds like a tasty recipe and one that I will try.
I do have a question though, why the long bake time? Basically everything in the casserole is precooked so it shouldn’t need to bake to cook. You are more or less just heating it back up and browning the breadcrumbs on top. Am I missing something?
Elizabeth
Hi Rita,
Thank you for your comment. The casserole needs to bake until it is hot throughout and bubbly around the edges (an internal temperature of 165 degrees F). This baking time also allows the flavors to combine and the top to brown.
Donna
Can you suggest another type of cheese other than Velvetta?
Elizabeth
Hi Donna,
Add shredded cheddar cheese, hand grated is best for a smoother texture.
Sandra
Can you sub out a can of cream of cheese soup for the Velveeta?
Elizabeth
Hi Sandra,
I haven’t done it so I cannot speak to the results. I would combine the Velveeta with milk and heat until melted to equal the amount of the soup. Good luck, thanks for stopping by.
jk
Fantastic! I never go back and leave comments, this one was great. says 2 oz. cheese i did 2 cp. alot of prep and clean-up, so plan ahead. took me 2.5 hrs. at a slow pace.
Elizabeth
Hi JK,
Thank you! I agree there is a lot of prep and clean-up but worth it. This is one of my favorites. Thanks for stopping by.
Kelli Pando
Does this recipe make for good leftovers? I want to cook this for a pot luck but it will need to be re-heated the next day as I’ll make it the night before. Also, what kind of cheese is Velveeta? Cheddar, Swiss, American?
Thank you so much! I look forward to trying this out 🙂
Elizabeth
Hi Kelli, Velveeta is a processed cheese that tastes similar to American cheese, melts well and becomes creamy. If you are in the U.S. you can find it at most supermarkets.
Lori
I’m not a fan of velveta or American cheese in casseroles. Do you think the creamy melt cheeses that are shredded will work?
Elizabeth
Hi Lori,
They should do fine.
Kelli Pando
Does this recipe make for good leftovers? I want to cook this for a pot luck but of course it will need to be re-heated.
Elizabeth
Hi Kelli,
It will reheat well but the breadcrumb topping will not be as crunchy as right out of the oven.
Kelli Pando
Thanks Elizabeth! I’m sorry for the double comment, I thought the first one didn’t post 😅
Elizabeth
No problem!
Danielle
I have everything for this except a second can of cream of chicken(or any other type of cream of soup). Do you think using a little extra broth and velveeta would be okay or should I hit the store real quick?
Elizabeth
Sorry, I’ve never made it with a substitute so I cannot speak to the results.
Grammasue
Danielle: I made this many, many years ago and the recipe did not call for velveeta, but you could make a bechemel sauce and add chicken boullion or broth (butter, flour, milk/cream, and some chicken bouillion) which would take the place of the cr of chick soup). This is really a great recipe and I love her addition of the velveeta. I am going to try it tonight. Even without the velveeta, it’s super good. My husband loves it! Good luck!
Jessica Mahan
Is this a recipe you can make ahead?
Elizabeth
Yes you can. Prepare the dish but do not bake. Cover well and refrigerate for 1-2 days. I would hold off on the breadcrumbs until ready to make so they do not get soggy.
Jayme M Weare
Do you think I could use canned chicken instead of poached. I think that the canned would have about the same consistency. What do you think?
Elizabeth
Hi Jayme, I’ve never made it with canned chicken so I can’t speak to the results. I would stick to poached or leftover rotisserie. Thanks for stopping by.
Robin
Would I be able to sub out the chz for a cheddar?
Elizabeth
Hi Robin,
Yes, just don’t overheat it. Prepare the sauce and add it in off the heat stir until it melts.
Halie
Absolutely PERFECT in every way…
The chicken, rice, & vegetable casserole is a perfect receipe for family dinners or even special occasions.
The flavor is perfect….not over the top and not bland.
Your taste buds will thank you! And kids approve!
* make sure to read everything….and Poach the chicken and cook the rice at the same time, first….meanwhile fix everything else. Theres quite a few parts to the receipe so this suggestion helps tremendously in pulling everything together smoothly.
Elizabeth
Hi Halie, thank you for your kind review. I’m really happy you enjoyed it!
De
I substituted enriched brown rice for the white rice but next time I would use 1.5 cups of the brown rice. I also used frozen broccoli instead of the mixed vegetables. I thought it was good, would make again.
Elizabeth
Hi De,
That sounds delicious, really glad you enjoyed it!