Easy Chicken and Rice Bake Recipe

This easy chicken and rice bake, made from ingredients you likely have in your pantry, is a simple oven baked casserole dish that is super filling and the ultimate comfort food.

Dishes like these do not need to be complicated to be delicious and the combination of the creamy soups, fresh baked chicken, and cooked rice, make this a traditional and classic dinner that everyone will love. 

Chicken and Rice Bake is one of the most requested family friendly meals in our home. Although this casserole dish is a bit old fashioned, it really brings the flavor and is a perfect main dish to nearly all the side dishes here on our site. 

A yummy one pan dish, you cannot go wrong pleasing the whole crowd, all the kids and at any potluck party you may have with chicken and rice bake! This dish is also perfect for left over or make ahead rice and has relatively simple prep. 

Some of the best recipes come in a casserole dish. I know because I cook them quite a bit in our house. A few very well loved dishes here that you should also test out are this holiday friendly corn casserole recipe, the most ultimate loaded cauliflower side and for dinner, you cannot go wrong with tomato bursting tiktok baked feta pasta. 

What Makes This Chicken and Rice Bake Recipe So Good?

Sometimes the simplest dishes make the best meals. Flavored with canned soup, the seasoned chicken is tender and oven baked and the rice complements as the base perfectly. Judging by all the awesome feedback that I have gotten on Pinterest, this recipe is a keeper!

Another recipe if you love chicken and rice casseroles is this Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole recipe too!

What is the best way to make a chicken rice recipe?

Although totally unnecessary, chicken and rice can have extra cheese added near the end with a 2-3 minute broil (watch it, broiling moves quickly!) for a layer of browned cheese on top. 

What Is Chicken & Rice?

Chicken and Rice is a dump casserole but please note that we COOK THE RICE first in this dish. This makes sure the rice is complete while the chicken is done baking. While there are other recipes with uncooked rice, I am particular about tender soft and not over baked chicken.

Prior to getting started on the recipe, just throw the rice in a rice cooker so its ready for you when you assemble and begin cooking dinner. 

What is the best rice to use?

Long grain rice is one of the best rice and most common, but I also love using Jasmine rice as its a personal favorite of mine.

Dump-and-Bake Chicken and Rice Bake

This chicken and rice bake right in the oven is one I ate a ton of growing up. My mom cooked mostly right out of the pantry and things were simple – but filling. I wanted to share this easy recipe in case you are looking for a straight up, ingredients you probably already have, recipe that (most) kids will enjoy.

Plus, anytime you combine chicken and rice, its super filling and satisfying. 

Here is what you need to get started on this recipe – scroll to the bottom of the recipe to grab all measurements and a free printable to make it easy to cook in the kitchen!

• chicken breasts, cut into 1″ cubes (uncooked)
• cream of mushroom soup
• cream of chicken soup
• cream of celery soup
• salt
• garlic powder
• pepper
• rice
• chicken broth
• butter

Creamy Soups for Chicken Casseroles

When looking for recipes based on cans you already have in your pantry, not everyone keeps cream of celery stocked up. You can easily alter your cream of celery for a totally varying flavor.  

Condensed soups make recipes so easy! There are choices when it comes to soup and because of the huge selections (Campbells has a ton) you can get low sodium, nutritional friendly and full fat item soups to fit your needs. There are other routes like making your own stock and paste but WHY. 

The following condensed creamy soups can give chicken and rice bake tons of mouthwatering flavors and tons of variety in what works for your family’s dinner needs and menu changes.

• Cream of Asparagus
• Cream of Broccoli
• Cream of Roasted Mushroom Garlic
• Cream of Potato
• Cream of Bacon 
• Or double up your cream of mushroom or cream of chicken
• Additionally, you could alter one of the cans for the same amount of sour cream

Why Is This Recipe So Good?

Some of the best recipes are some of the simplest recipes and this recipe is winner, winner, chicken dinner!  

 Top rated recipes are that way for a reason. Chicken and rice may be a classic recipe but its so good that its next days lunch as well! The meal is fairly frugal and in no time at all can be altered with new and exciting flavors. 

Tips To Make Perfect Oven Baked Chicken And Rice

Make sure to cook the rice first – you need 2 cups. Rice can be made a day ahead if you want and this recipe is perfect for left over rice recipe dishes.

Preheat oven to 400 and grease a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

Add uncooked cut up chicken, all condensed cream soups, spices, COOKED rice and chicken broth in a mixing bowl and combine well.

Pour chicken bake mixture into prepared pan and spread evenly.

Dot with pats of butter all over on top of casserole. 

Bake chicken and rice casserole for 60 minutes or until bubbly around the edges, heated, and cooked through.

Now I know the final image doesn’t”look” appetizer- after all chicken, rice, and soup is kinda brown – but it TASTES amazing.

Serve this recipe along side something colorful like cucumber salad, marinated tomato salad, or even a strawberry spinach salad – which will lighten up the plate and compliment this savory and heavy meal with a light side dish. 

If you enjoyed my recipe and have feedback, I would love to hear it.

Side Dishes that go Great with Chicken and Rice

• Saute Sugar Snap Peas Recipe
• Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
• Cheesy Asparagus Recipe
• Creamed Peas Recipe
• Homemade Creamed Corn Recipe
• Southern Style Green Beans Recipe
• Parmesan Roasted Carrots Recipe

Leave a comment and let me know if you had any changes that worked well! I always comment back and read all your comments.