Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

Busy weekdays don’t have to turn into busy evenings, thanks to this easy casserole.

There’s nothing easier and more comforting in the world than a casserole. Busy weekdays don’t have to turn into busy nights with this simple chicken and rice casserole! Its main benefit is to provide you and your family with an easy and delicious meal but with that comes the use of “faster” ingredients. This is a well-rounded recipe as is, but if you’d like to make this chicken and rice casserole more wholesome, we’ve provided substitutions for certain ingredients below!

Want to See How It’s Made?

A Versatile and Appetizing Family-Favorite!

My mom used to make this casserole for us when I was growing up and I still find myself craving it to this day! It’s the easiest dish to prepare and there’s always a fitting occasion. A hearty and quick dish for a sick neighbor? Check! How about a dinner party meal that can be prepared at short notice? Check! A work luncheon? Check! From pot-lucks to brunches and even average weeknights, this tantalizing chicken and rice casserole will be your new fave.

What Ingredients Do I Need?

Our ingredients are super simple and easily accessible: 

• 1 (6.9 ounce) box of Chicken Rice-A-Roni
• 2 tablespoons of butter 
• 1 cup of tomato juice (optional V-8) 
• 2 cups of water
• 8 chicken pieces (chicken pieces of choice)
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cup of flour
• ½ cup of vegetable or canola oil

Substitutions for this Chicken and Rice Casserole

From the type of rice to the tomato juice, we’ve got a bunch of substitutions for you, in case you don’t have certain ingredients on hand or just feel like making a few tweaks. As with most substitutions, remember to pay attention to the cooking time since you’re gonna need to adjust depending on the ingredients used.

Rice

Instead of Rice-A-Roni, you could use parboiled rice for different flavors and textures:

• Plain white rice with added chicken broth or bouillon for flavor.
• Basmati or Jasmine rice for a fragrant, tasty base.
• If you’re health-conscious, brown rice will do and it gives the base a nutty flavor.

Butter

There are a couple of choices when it comes to substituting butter, both will give you slightly different flavors:

• Substitute with olive oil for a dairy-free option.
• You can use ghee for richer flavor, extra cooking time gives ghee a nutty taste.

Tomato Juice

For tomato juice, you have a few options to switch it up:

• Chicken broth or stock for no tomato flavor.
• Vegetable broth works just as well.
• White wine combined with broth also works.
• If you’d prefer to stick with tomatoes, you can use diced tomatoes with the liquid.

Chicken Pieces

Chicken isn’t a hard and fast rule type of ingredient, there are a couple of options to get you started:

• Try all split chicken breasts, drumsticks, or thighs, and remember to adjust the cooking times according to the cut.
• If you’re serving kids, then boneless, skinless chicken breasts should do the trick! 

Eggs

For an eggless substitution, we’ve got a few options for you:

• For a creamy casserole, try using buttermilk or plain Greek yogurt.
• For dairy-free, try almond or soy milk.
• Alternatively, you can skip the egg wash and simply coat water-dampened chicken directly in flour seasoned with salt and pepper. 

Flour

Flour is the easiest switch you can make:

• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour like buckwheat, chickpea, or brown rice flour.
• Cornstarch is great for a lighter coating.
• Try Panko crumbs for a nice crispy texture.
• Feel free to add your favorite seasonings to the flour mixture such as paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, etc.

Oil

Instead of vegetable or good ol’ canola oil, you can use:

• Olive oil for a healthier option with a great and distinct flavor.
• Coconut oil does wonders for a more tropical taste, and adds a touch of sweetness.
• Grape seed oil works best for a neutral taste with a high smoke point.
• Peanut oil is always an option, as well.

Alternative Cooking Methods for Chicken and Rice Casserole

Want to avoid using the oven or simply try making this recipe in a different way? No problem! There are several other options for cooking this yummy chicken and rice casserole.

Slow Cooker Method

• Follow the steps for making the casserole mixture and add the ingredients to the slow cooker.
• Follow the steps for browning the chicken and then place the chicken pieces over the rice in the slow cooker.
• Cook until the rice is soft and the chicken is cooked through, 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees F.

Grilled Chicken Method

• Give the chicken pieces several hours or even overnight to marinate in your preferred marinade.
• Cook the chicken on the grill until it’s done through and the outside has a good sear.
• In the meantime, get the rice mixture ready in the casserole pan.
• After the chicken is done, lay it over the pan’s rice mixture.
• To get the flavors to mingle, bake the pan covered with foil at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 25 minutes.

Air Fryer Method (with Cooked Chicken)

• Shred or chop any cooked chicken you may have, such as leftover grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken.
• Prepare the rice mixture in a mixing bowl.
• Combine the rice mixture with the cooked chicken in the air fryer.
• Cook it for 15 to 20 minutes at 375°F (190°C)

Although we have listed numerous alternatives for preparing this recipe, we believe cooking it just as the recipe indicates makes for the very best Chicken and Rice casserole possible. It’s a “Tried and True” recipe.

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Chicken and Rice Casserole

If you’re trying to save time during the week by preparing this meal ahead of time, we’ve got you covered! Here’s how to freeze, store, and reheat this beautiful Chicken and Rice Casserole.

Storing Chicken and Rice Casserole in the Fridge

Refrigeration: Instead of freezing the casserole, place it in the fridge if you intend to eat it within a few days. Transfer it to an airtight container or use plastic wrap and/or aluminum foil to tightly cover the casserole dish.

Duration: If kept in the fridge, the chicken and rice casserole will keep for up to four days.

Freezing the Casserole

Cooling: Before freezing, let the casserole cool to room temperature. This ensures a better texture when reheated and helps prevent the formation of ice crystals.

Portioning: Use freezer-safe containers or freezer bags to divide the casserole into portions if you would like to freeze individual servings. This is recommended because once thawed, the casserole should not be refrozen.

Wrapping: To avoid freezer burn, tightly wrap the casserole in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil for extended storage. To keep the meal fresh, make sure the whole thing is covered with the wrapping.

Labeling: For simple identification, write the contents and the preparation date on the label of each container or bag.

Duration: This casserole can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Storage: To make the most of the freezer space, put the wrapped casserole parts in the freezer and keep them flat. To avoid crushing them, do not stack more than one container until they are fully frozen.

Reheating Your Leftovers

Thawing: Let the frozen casserole thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. This is the safest way to thaw food and keeps the dish’s texture intact, guaranteeing even reheating.

Oven Reheating: Preheat the casserole in an oven to 350°F (175°C) for the best results. To keep the top from drying out, cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake it for 20 to 30 minutes, or until it is thoroughly heated.

Microwave Reheating: As a faster alternative, you can use the microwave to reheat your meal. Spoon a portion onto a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a lid or plastic wrap that’s vented to let steam out, and cook on high for two to three minutes, or until thoroughly heated.

Stirring: To guarantee even heating, stir the dish halfway through the reheating period.

Checking the Temperature: To make sure the casserole is fully reheated, use a food thermometer to check the interior temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.

Resting: Let the warmed casserole sit for a few minutes before serving.

Perfect Sides for Our Chicken and Rice Casserole

If you ever need a little push in the right direction for side dishes, we’ve got some great recipes that we think you’ll love! Check them out:

It’s time to try your hand at the recipe, remember, you can make it your own or use this recipe as a base – it’s up to you!

That does it! Now you’ve got a great meal to share with your roomie, family, and friends!

Let us know in the comments how it goes (or what you added to make it your own!)

Want more easy casseroles? We’ve got plenty more for you to choose from. Try one (or all) of these, next:

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