Kirbie's Cravings

Chicken Rice Casserole

Easy chicken rice casserole with arborio rice, cheese, and creamy sauce is a delicious comfort food dinner.

close-up photo of a spoonful of Chicken Rice Casserole

This post is sponsored by RiceSelect and Blogher.

With the weather cooling down, casseroles have been on my mind. Today, I’m sharing a recipe for a delicious chicken rice casserole.

I made this casserole as part of RiceSelect’s “Rethink Rice” program. The goal is to redefine rice by creating dishes where rice is the hero of the dish rather than just a plain side or something to lay your entree on.

The rice blend has pieces of dried mushrooms mixed in. It has an earthy taste, with a touch of garlic and onions. After tasting the rice, my immediate thought was to make a homey rice casserole.

  • I wanted to add chicken because chicken goes so well in casseroles.
  • And then I began to think what would pair well with chicken and mushrooms.
  • My next thought was adding green beans.

And before I knew it, my casserole was turning out a lot like an upgraded version of a green bean casserole except instead of a side dish it’s a complete dinner with rice, protein, and vegetables.

To boost the mushroom flavor, I added some cream of mushroom soup. And since this was looking so much like a popular Thanksgiving green bean casserole, I also went ahead and topped it with cheddar cheese and crunchy fried onions.

photo of a Chicken Rice Casserole

The dish is relatively stress-free, and you can make a large batch and have leftovers for future nights too.

Ingredients

  • Cubed chicken breast
  • Cream of mushroom soup
  • Chopped green beans
  • Arborio Blend™ with Mushrooms
  • Water
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Fried onions
  • Chopped parsley

You can also use cream of chicken soup or cream of celery soup instead of the mushroom one.

Instead of chicken breasts, you can use the same amount of boneless skinless chicken thighs.

close-up photo of Chicken Rice Casserole

Recipe Instructions

Place water and rice in a large pot of water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat, and cook the rice until most of the water has evaporated. Stir occasionally so the rice doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.

In a separate pan, sauté the chicken and green beans until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken and green beans to the pot with the rice and stir to combine.

Pour the rice mixture into a baking dish and spread it in an even layer. Sprinkle the cheese over the top. Bake the chicken casserole for 15 to 20 minutes in a preheated oven at 375°F or until it’s bubbling hot.

When it’s done baking, take the casserole dish out of the oven and sprinkle the fried onions and chopped herbs like parsley, basil, or thyme over the top for garnish. You can also garnish with freshly ground black pepper and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Storage Tips

Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep well for three to four days, but the fried onions will soften and won’t be as crispy when you reheat the dish.

close-up shot of the final dish.

I was really pleased with how this turned out, and so was Mr. K. The dish had a warm, comforting appeal, and I imagine we’ll be making it again for future dinners this Fall and Winter.

photo collage of a package of arborio blend rice and a close-up of a spoonful of rice

More About RiceSelect’s Arborio Blend™

Coming from an Asian background, rice has definitely been more than just a side and has been an integral part of many of my favorite dishes, like sushi, fried rice, rice pudding and risotto.

For this campaign, I was given RiceSelect’s Arborio Blend™ with Mushrooms to try. I love, love mushrooms, so I was really excited to try this out. As an added bonus, it’s also gluten-free!

All RiceSelect products are grown, milled, and packaged in the USA and are produced from non-GMO proprietary seed. There is also an Arborio Blend™ with Jalapeño that I will need to try on a later date.

close-up photo of the casserole

More Casserole Recipes

Chicken Rice Casserole

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
This cozy casserole with chicken and green beans is a step-up from a traditional green bean casserole often served as a Thanksgiving dinner side dish. 

Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken breast cubed
  • 1 (10-oz) can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/2 cup chopped green beans
  • 1 cup  Arborio Blend™ with Mushrooms
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup fried onions
  • tbsp chopped parsley optional, for garnish

Instructions

  • In a large pot, add rice and water and turn stove temperature to high until water begins to boil. Lower temperature and cook until rice is done and most of water has evaporated, stirring occasionally so rice does not stick to bottom, about 15-20 minutes. In a separate pan, sauté chicken and green beans until just done.
  • Add chicken, beans, and mushroom soup into rice, stirring until mixed.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Add rice mixture into a large casserole dish, spreading evenly across. Sprinkle surface with cheddar cheese. Cook for 15-20 minutes until everything is heated and bubbling. Top with fried onions and parsley (if using) before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25of recipe, Calories: 547kcal, Carbohydrates: 54g, Protein: 38g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Sodium: 880mg, Fiber: 2g, NET CARBS: 52

The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.

Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Mention @KirbieCravings and tag #kirbiecravings!

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151 comments on “Chicken Rice Casserole”

  1. My favorite rice recipe is making chicken burritos with white rice and black beans.

  2. My favorite rice recipe is Cajun Jambalaya. 

  3. I love making my Grandma’s recipe for rice pudding.

  4. I like rice with smoked sausage

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  5. tweeted -https://twitter.com/neiddy_ruiz/status/529352137952612352

  6. My favorite recipe is chicken and rice soup

  7. I love rice pilaf!

  8. My favorite is pork fried rice.

  9. I also make a No-Peek chicken andd rice casserole but mine doesn’t have cheese in it

  10. My favorite is fried rice. It’s so easy to use left over meat from one of my other meals, chicken is great as also pork.

  11. i love rice and corn with cheese 

  12. my favorite rice dish is brocolli rice casserole 

  13. I like to make rice with chicken.

  14. Beef tips and rice is an easy recipe that the whole family likes.

  15. Rice pudding has always been my favorite rice dish! I could eat it all day!

  16. My favorite recipe is a chicken and rice casserole similar to this!

  17. Oh our favorite is Spaghetti Rice Stuffed Green Peppers!  I cook the rice and hamburger.  I mix the rice, hamburger, spaghetti sauce, and mozzarella cheese together and stuff the peppers.  I put a little leftover sauce on top of each one. I put in a 8×8 glass dish with a little water on the bottom to get the peppers nice and soft.  I cover with foil and bake 45 minutes at 350.  I then pull off the foil put a little cheese on top of each one and bake another 10-15 minutes.  One of our families favorites!

  18. Tweet  https://twitter.com/clc408/status/527793885276151810

  19. My go-to recipe is rice pilaf with lots of herbs and seasonings.  It goes with almost everything.

  20. Chicken fried rice

  21. tweeted – https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/527553286757310464

  22. I call it green rice.  I add sauteed garlic and a lot of fresh minced herbs to hot, cooked rice.  Easy and delicious.

  23. I love my chicken and rice soup recipe.

  24. my favorite rice recipe is for sure chicken teriyaki with veggies. I make it all the time, probably because I LOVE Teriyaki sauce!!

  25. My favorite rice recipe is a beet and goat cheese risotto. 

  26. The easy paella recipe looks scrumptious!

  27. My favorite rice recipe is fried rice.

  28. My favorite rice recipe is “nasi tim”

  29. Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/526167387297419264

  30. My favorite rice dish of the moment is a baked risotto.

  31. My fav is chicken and wild rice soup

  32. My fav rice dish is Salsa chicken and Rice in my crockpot.

    1 large onion, chopped
    1 green pepper, chopped
    1 orange or yellow pepper, chopped
    1 red pepper, chopped
    4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or
    6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
    1 jar any kind you like salsa

    Pace veggies in bottom of crockpot.  Top with chicken, then pour entire jar of salsa on top of it all.  High for 5hrs or low 8hrs.  Take chicken out and shred and put back in crock and stir.
    Make a batch of brown rice and serve salsa chicken atop rice.  
    My kids like to mix theirs all up before eating and top it with shredded cheese. 
    My Hubby like his with guacamole and sour cream.  
    i like mine topped with everything!

  33. Chicken and rice casserole with cream of chicken in the rice.

  34. i fry beans with onion and garlic and then add it on top of white rice and add mozzarella cheese.

  35. I make great fried rice, using anything/everything I can find in the fridge! The ultimate combo is adding bacon (if I have it) and topping with a fried egg.

  36. My favorite rice recipe is still Hainanese Chicken Rice. I make it in my rice cooker….mmmm so yum!

  37. tweeted

    https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/524132998644383744

    cshell090869 at aol dot com

  38. I wish I had a really good rice recipe, but I do like Mexican rice.
    cshell090869 at aol dot com

  39. That chicken rice recipe looks soooo good!

  40. My favorite rish dish is Heartland Beef and Rice! Perfect for fall/winter,  when it’s cold out.

  41. tweeted https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/523606438032048128

  42. My families favorite rice recipe is mushroom risotto.

  43. tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/523572352471560192

  44. I love making homemade pork fried rice!

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com

  45. One of my favorite rice dish is one my mother used to make and not sure if it even has a name. I saute about 3 – 4 onions, finely chopped in butter, the more onions, the better. Then add chicken broth, bring to a boil, add the rice and simmer. It can also be made in the oven as a casserole. We really love this recipe! 🙂

  46. The spicy salmon & avocado tower looks cool.

    wish they had hainan chicken rice

  47. Korean kimchi and pork belly fried rice- cook up some pork belly pieces and sautée up chopped kimchee pieces together. Add day old korean rice and 1-2 tb of good go-chu-jang. Mix well and add some sesame oil to drizzle. I sprinkle a bit of korean beef seasoning but that’s optional. You can always add a fried egg over too prior to serving! 

  48. i love making rice balls.

  49. https://twitter.com/Ehhmi/status/523361706160836608

    My favorite rice dish is Noumi Fan with lots of chinese sausage.

  50. This looks awesome, gonna give it a try!

  51. favorite rice recipe:   Lemon risotto!

  52. I tweeted about your Chicken-Rice Casserole recipe and the RiceSelect promotion; here’s the link:
    https://twitter.com/NotherAnneOther/status/522434503482941440

  53. A household favorite recipe using rice is a rice-cooker concoction to use leftover chicken. I soften some chopped onion in oil in the rice cooker, then stir in rice (usually some type of long-grain rice). I cut back on the amount of water, and use some jarred salsa instead, for texture and lots of flavor. I add the chopped or shredded leftover chicken meat, and sometimes some canned black beans, then stir it all together and let the rice cooker do its magic.

  54. Easy Vegetarian Paella (4 servings)

    2 T canola oil
    2 Tofurky Italian-style sausages, sliced 1/4 in. thick
    1 medium onion coarsely chopped
    1 1/2 cups uncooked brown rice
    2 cups vegetable broth
    1/2 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
    2 T lemon juice
    2 T paprika
    1/4 t salt
    1/4 t pepper
    1/4 t saffron or turmeric
    1 cup frozen peas
    1 can artichoke hearts, drained and cut in quarters
    1/2 cup sliced olives
    1 jar chopped pimientos, drained
    3 T chopped Italian parsley for garnish

    Saute Tofurky slices in 1 T oil until browned. Set aside. In a large pan add remaining oil and saute onions until tender. Stir in brown rice, broth, drained tomatoes, lemon juice, paprika, salt, pepper, and saffron. Bring just to a boiling point, cover and reduce temperature to a low simmer for 30 minutes. Do not uncover. When ready, stir in peas, artichokes, olives, pimientos, Tofurky slices and heat through. Adjust salt to taste. Served with chopped Italian parsley on top.

  55. i like Fried Rice with egg.

  56. Spam fried rice!

  57. -https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/521497211318710273

  58. I like garlic lime herb cauliflower rice.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com 

  59. My favorite rice recipe is Spanish Rice

  60. Tweet: https://twitter.com/HeartnSoulmom/status/521420229969080320

  61. My favorite rice recipe is Seafood Paella. Thank you for the chicken & rice casserole recipe, and for the opportunity to enter.

  62. My favorite recipe is Spanish rice with sour cream

  63. I love pork fried rice.

  64. I love chicken and mushroom risotto!

  65. We use leftover rice and meat or veggies to make fried rice…it’s always different and always delicious.

  66. My favorite rice recipe is Rice Pilaf. I love rice most anyway though! 🙂 

  67. I like cilantro lime rice!

  68. My tweet https://twitter.com/AurelieRed/status/520988818229309440

  69. I love my rice with some garlic, pepper and fried broccolis, simple as that !

  70. Hot steaming rice mix with butter and soy sauce is delicious!

  71. I love making fried rice with leftover white rice, fried egg, soy sauce and lots of fresh veggies. Yum!!

  72. My favorite rice recipe is mushroom risotto. Yummers! 

  73. Yum! I make a bacon/chicken/broccoli/rice casserole that my family loves.

    chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com

  74. I am perfectly happy with plain jasmine rice so I can load up all of my mom’s awesome dishes and sauces on top!

  75. I like arroz con pollo.

  76. I love black bean eggplant (a Chinese dish), served over rice.

  77. Spam fried rice is our favorite! We always make extra rice and fry up spam, shallots and whatever random veg, add the old rice and some fish sauce and soy sauce with a raw egg. So good!

  78. chicken fried rice!! my favorite!

  79. Ok. I normally just eat plain white rice but this makes me want to re-think rice!

  80. I love pineapple fried rice, if it’s done right! Yum!

  81. My favorite rice recipe is homemade bbq pork fried rice with plenty of green onion, it’s super comforting with Sriracha!

  82. My favorite rice dish is sticky rice with Chinese sausage.

  83. I love homemade brown sugar and cinnamon rice pudding. 

  84. thanks for this recipe! this is awesome.

  85. Thanks for sharing my favorite recipe here,Really mouth watering many thanks 

  86. I love to make an Asian stir-fry with steak strips, asparagus, and mushrooms with rice.

  87. My favorite rice recipe is white sticky rice and stir fry veggies.

  88. This looks great.  Homemade Spanish rice with extra tomato and cheese.  

  89. I love rice in desserts! Especially creamy rice pudding.

  90. my favorite rice recipe is yellow curry rice! 

  91. I love plain rice with butter and a tad of sugar.

  92. This recipe is amazing! I am definitely going to try this one day this week! Thanks so much!

  93. I Love grilled chicken, with spinach, snow peas, and brown rice with light sauce on top.

  94. I love slow cooker creamy chicken and rice with cream of mushroom soup!

  95. My favorite rice recipe is Spanish rice! I have many versions, not one favorite, but it is especially good to warm you up in fall and winter! 

  96. I like a good rice pudding.

  97. My mom would give us rice with brown sugar, butter and milk when we were sick.  This is still my all time comfort food. 

  98. My favorite rice recipe is veggie fried rice.

  99. My latest rice favorite was a Taco Rice Bake!

  100. Our favorite rice dish for autumnal meals is rice pudding which we would now make  more frequently  since some of our friends are gluten intolerant. Can’t wait to try it!!

  101. tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/519176604816134146

  102. My mother’s arroz con pollo is our favorite rice dish.  

  103. I could literally eat this every night of the week. Love it!

  104. Here’s my tweet: https://twitter.com/pic_links/status/519146734279077888 Thanks for the giveaway!

  105. My favorite rice recipe is Egg White Fried Rice with Dried Scallops and Broccoli Stems, it makes a beautiful and delightful dish.

  106. My favorite rice recipe is mushroom risotto.

  107. Honestly, simple veggie fried rice is my comfort food. Brings back memories of Saturday lunches after Chinese school.

  108. My favorite rice recipe is Chinese congee! It’s so comforting, and you can easily dress it up or down. 🙂

  109. Favorite rice recipe – has to be nigiri or chirashi sushi!! 

  110. A favorite recipe on this house is chili and rice

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