Description
This creamy chicken and rice casserole is a comforting, one-pan meal that combines tender chicken, creamy cheese, and fluffy rice. With a rich, flavorful base made from cream cheese, butter, and a zesty Italian dressing mix, it’s the perfect dish for a busy weeknight or when you’re in need of some home-cooked comfort. The combination of Colby Jack cheese adds just the right amount of meltiness and flavor, while the cream of chicken soup makes it velvety smooth. Garnished with fresh parsley, this casserole is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
3 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
3 cups cooked rice
½ cup butter, room temperature and cubed
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature and cubed
10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
3 cloves garlic, minced
0.7 ounce Italian dressing mix (preferably Good Seasons)
1 cup chicken stock
2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided use
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously spray a 9×13” casserole dish with cooking spray.
In a microwave-safe bowl, soften the cream cheese and butter in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, then whisk until smooth.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, rice, butter and cream cheese mixture, cream of chicken soup, garlic, Italian dressing mix, chicken stock, half of the shredded cheese, salt, and pepper.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish and top with the remaining shredded cheese.
Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbling.
Remove from the oven, let cool for 5 minutes, then remove the foil.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
This casserole is versatile and can be adjusted based on your preferences. You can substitute the Colby Jack cheese for other types of cheese, such as cheddar or mozzarella, depending on what you have available. For a bit of extra flavor, consider adding sautéed onions or bell peppers to the chicken and rice mixture before baking. You can also use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken for added convenience. If you’d like a little more texture, you can top the casserole with crushed crackers or breadcrumbs during the last few minutes of baking for a crunchy topping.