The short answer: for an easy chicken and rice casserole, stir 1 cup of uncooked long-grain white rice, 2 cups of broth, a can of cream of chicken soup, 1½ pounds of diced raw chicken and frozen broccoli together in a 9x13 dish, cover tightly and bake at 375°F for 50 to 55 minutes. Top with cheese and bake 5 to 10 minutes more. It serves 6.
- Key numbers: 1 cup rice · 2 cups broth · 10.5-ounce can condensed soup · 1½ pounds chicken · 375°F · 60 to 65 minutes total · 165°F
- Top moves: cut chicken into 1-inch pieces so it cooks evenly, seal the foil tightly and let it rest 10 minutes before serving
- Free and paid next step: get the free recipe book starter pages (we email it to you), or plan the week with the Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99).
Our picks for chicken and rice casserole
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Prep time: 20 minCook time: 1 hr 5 minTotal time: 1 hr 35 minServings: 6 servingsTotal includes 10 min of resting, chilling or rising.
Amounts and bake times in this chicken and rice casserole were checked November 4, 2026. The sections below cover ingredients, steps, a from-scratch sauce, a leftover chicken version, swaps, budget tips and freezing.
Chicken and rice casserole ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Long-grain white rice, uncooked | 1 cup | Rinse it for fluffier grains |
| Low-sodium chicken broth | 2 cups | |
| Condensed cream of chicken soup | 1 can, 10.5 ounces | Or the from-scratch sauce below |
| Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt | ½ cup | Optional, for creaminess |
| Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs | 1½ pounds, 1-inch pieces | |
| Frozen broccoli florets | 2 cups | Chopped small |
| Onion | ½ cup, diced, or 1 teaspoon onion powder | |
| Garlic powder | 1 teaspoon | |
| Paprika | ½ teaspoon | |
| Salt and black pepper | ½ teaspoon each | Less if your broth is salty |
| Shredded cheddar cheese | 1 to 1½ cups | For the top |
How to make chicken and rice casserole
- Heat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Mix the base. Whisk the broth, soup, sour cream and seasonings right in the dish.
- Add the rice. Stir in the uncooked rice and spread it evenly so it is all under the liquid.
- Add chicken and broccoli. Scatter the chicken, onion and broccoli over the top and press them gently into the liquid.
- Cover tightly. Seal the dish with foil so no steam escapes.
- Bake. Bake 50 to 55 minutes, until the rice is tender and the chicken is 165°F.
- Add cheese. Uncover, sprinkle with cheddar and bake 5 to 10 minutes more, until melted and bubbly.
- Rest. Let it sit 10 minutes so the sauce thickens before serving.
From-scratch sauce (no canned soup)
Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a saucepan, whisk in 3 tablespoons flour and cook 1 minute. Slowly whisk in 1 cup milk and cook until thick, about 3 minutes. Use this in place of the can of soup and keep the 2 cups of broth. Making your own sauce also lets you control the salt; the FDA notes the Daily Value for sodium is less than 2,300 mg a day, and condensed soups can be a big source.
Chicken and rice casserole with cooked chicken
Short on time? Use leftover or rotisserie chicken and cooked rice.
| Version | Rice | Chicken | Bake |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-dish, from raw | 1 cup uncooked | 1½ pounds raw, diced | Covered 50 to 55 minutes + 5 to 10 uncovered at 375°F |
| Cooked chicken, cooked rice | 3 cups cooked | 3 cups shredded | Uncovered 25 to 30 minutes at 375°F |
| Brown rice, from raw | 1 cup uncooked + ½ cup extra broth | 1½ pounds raw, diced | Covered 70 to 80 minutes + 5 to 10 uncovered |
For the cooked version, cut the broth to 1 cup. Find more ways to use a store-bought bird in our rotisserie chicken recipes, and see how long cooked rice lasts before using leftovers.
Easy swaps and variations
Flavor twists
- Cheesy broccoli chicken and rice with extra cheddar and a pinch of mustard powder
- Chicken, mushroom and rice with cream of mushroom soup and sliced mushrooms
- Southwest chicken and rice with salsa, black beans, corn and pepper jack
- Lemon herb chicken and rice with lemon zest, thyme and peas
Topping ideas 5. Buttery crushed crackers for crunch 6. Crispy fried onions added for the last 5 minutes 7. Parmesan and breadcrumbs
Love casseroles? Try our tater tot casserole, hashbrown casserole, chicken pot pie and baked mac and cheese.
A budget-friendly family dinner
Rice, frozen broccoli and chicken stretch into 6 servings, which makes this casserole a strong pick for meal planning on a budget.
- Use thighs when they cost less than breasts, and track the price in a grocery price book.
- Buy rice and broth in bulk and keep a can or two of soup in the pantry for busy nights.
- Bake two and freeze one. Our freezer meals list has more make-ahead dinners.
- Set a weekly target with our grocery budget for a family of 4 guide.
Prefer noodles in the bake? Try our creamy chicken spaghetti recipe.
For more weeknight ideas, browse chicken dinner ideas and easy dinner ideas.
Storing, freezing and reheating
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. USDA says leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and should be reheated to 165°F. To freeze, cool the baked casserole, wrap it well and freeze. Frozen food stays safe at 0°F, and casseroles taste best within 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, add a splash of broth and reheat covered at 350°F.
Plan casserole night and save the recipe
- Meal Planner & Grocery List, $3.99. A weekly menu grid, an aisle-sorted grocery list and a pantry inventory for rice, broth and soup.
- Family Recipe Binder, $6.99. Fillable recipe pages, dividers and 4x6 cards for every casserole your family loves.
- Family Life Admin Bundle, $15.99 (
$23.95bought separately). Includes both printables above plus three more family organizers.
Browse every meal planner and recipe printable in our printables shop.
Browse more casserole recipes for beef, vegetarian and breakfast bakes. For a cheesy potato potluck bake, try funeral potatoes. More skillet, bowl and batch ideas live in our rice recipes hub.
Frequently asked questions
Do you cook the rice before putting it in a chicken and rice casserole? No, this chicken and rice casserole uses uncooked long-grain white rice that cooks in the broth and sauce in the oven. Keep the dish tightly covered with foil so the steam stays in and the rice turns tender.
How long do you bake chicken and rice casserole? Bake it covered at 375°F for 50 to 55 minutes, then uncover, add the cheese and bake 5 to 10 minutes more. The rice should be tender and the chicken should reach 165°F.
Why is my rice still crunchy in the casserole? Crunchy rice usually means steam escaped or there was not enough liquid. Seal the foil tightly, use the full amount of broth and check that your oven is fully heated before the dish goes in.
Can I use brown rice in chicken and rice casserole? Yes, but brown rice needs about ½ cup more broth and 20 to 25 more minutes covered in the oven. Instant rice is not a good swap, because it turns mushy over a long bake.
Can I make chicken and rice casserole without canned soup? Yes, make a quick sauce with 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons flour, 1 cup milk and the broth. It takes about 5 minutes on the stove and replaces one can of condensed soup.
Can I use leftover or rotisserie chicken? Yes, use 3 cups of shredded cooked chicken with 3 cups of cooked rice and the sauce, then bake uncovered at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbling and heated through to 165°F.
Can I freeze chicken and rice casserole? Yes, freeze baked and cooled chicken and rice casserole for up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat covered at 350°F until it reaches 165°F.
What vegetables can I add to chicken and rice casserole? Broccoli is classic, and peas, carrots, green beans, mushrooms, spinach and corn all work. Frozen vegetables can go in straight from the bag.
How do I plan casserole night into my weekly menu? The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has a weekly menu and an aisle-sorted grocery list, so a big casserole can cover dinner and leftovers in one plan. It prints on US Letter paper.
Where can I save my family's casserole recipes? The Family Recipe Binder ($6.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has fillable recipe pages and dividers, so your casserole versions and bake times are easy to find on busy nights.
Is there a money-saving set for busy weeknight cooks? The Family Life Admin Bundle ($15.99, $23.95 bought separately) from HomeBase Paper Co. saves about $8 over buying separately and includes the meal planner, the recipe binder and three more organizers for family paperwork and routines.
Sources
- FoodSafety.gov: Safe minimum internal temperatures foodsafety.gov
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and food safety fsis.usda.gov
- USDA FSIS: Freezing and food safety fsis.usda.gov
- FDA: Sodium in your diet fda.gov