Amazing 1-Pan Cheesy Chicken and Rice

Oh, you know those nights, right? You’re staring into the fridge, you’re tired, and all you really need is something warm, gooey, and instantly satisfying. If you are craving that ultimate comfort food chicken rice experience, stop searching! I’ve got the perfect solution for your busy weeknights: my One-Pan Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole. As someone who used to trade joy for takeout because life got hectic, I promise this recipe delivers that slow-cooked flavor without needing hours. I’m Carla, and making magic out of simple ingredients for busy families is what I do best. You can read more about my journey in the kitchen over on my About page. Get ready for your new favorite cheesy chicken and rice dish!

Why This One-Pan Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole Works (Family Friendly Chicken Casserole)

Honestly, this recipe isn’t just food; it’s a hug in a dish. I designed this for those Tuesdays when you feel like you’ve got a million things competing for your attention. The wonderful thing about this cheesy chicken and rice casserole is that it checks all the boxes for comfort without the cleanup headache.

Here’s why I think this recipe has earned its permanent spot on my rotation:

• It’s a true single-pan wonder, which means less time scrubbing and more time relaxing.
• It manages to be incredibly rich and comforting without feeling heavy.
• It’s a guaranteed win for even my pickiest eaters—a huge compliment at my house!

It’s the perfect example of how simple ingredients can make something spectacular. If you’re looking for a fantastic chicken and rice casserole that skips the fuss, you’ve found it.

SAVE IT

Quick Chicken and Rice Dinner Ready in Under 45 Minutes

We’re talking about 15 minutes of active prep, tops, and then you let the oven do the heavy lifting. Once it’s covered and tucked away, you only have about 40 minutes baking time. That means dinner is on the table in under an hour. That efficiency is key when life is moving too fast!

The Secret to Gooey Chicken and Rice Recipes: Creaminess Factor

Want to know the cheat code for intense creaminess? It’s using two different condensed soups! I combine the classic cream of chicken with cream of mushroom. They work together perfectly. The cream of chicken gives you that savory poultry base, but the mushroom soup adds a subtle depth and richness that keeps the sauce luxurious instead of thin. It creates that gooey texture you just can’t get from milk alone!

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cheesy Chicken and Rice

You know I love using pantry staples, but even with simple ingredients, quality matters! These are the core players for this cheesy chicken and rice bake. I think having everything measured out before you start (my famous *mise en place*, though I just call it ‘getting my stuff ready’) is half the battle won on a weeknight.

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (just the regular kind works fine here!)
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
• 2 cups frozen broccoli florets (optional)
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (Please, please use sharp! It has better flavor to cut through the creaminess.)

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Cheesy Chicken and Rice

Let’s talk about those optional items. If you want to sneak in some veggies, the frozen broccoli is perfect because it thaws and cooks right alongside the rice—zero extra pots needed. Now, for the chicken: if you have leftover shredded chicken from another meal, you can absolutely swap it in! If you use already cooked chicken, just skip browning it at the start and reduce the covered baking time by about 10 minutes so the rice has time to soak up all that delicious liquid.

If you’re looking for more ways to spice up your chicken and rice game, check out my Chicken Chow Mein recipe—different flavors, but the same kind of easy weeknight energy!

How to Prepare Your Simple Weeknight Cheesy Chicken and Rice

Okay, this is where the magic happens, and I love that it all stays right in one pan—promise! Before you even grab your skillet, make sure your oven is humming along at 375°F (190°C), and give your 9×13 baking dish a little grease, just to be safe. We want easy release later!

First, you’re going to use a large oven-safe skillet because we want to save those dirty dishes, right? Get your olive oil hot over medium-high heat. Toss in the cubed chicken pieces and just brown them up a bit—don’t worry about cooking them all the way through yet, maybe 5 minutes total. Then, add your onion right into that same pan and let it soften for about 3 minutes. Garlic goes in last for just 60 seconds until you can really smell it. That flavor foundation is important!

Now, step away from the stove for a second. In a separate bowl, whisk together your two cans of soup, the broth, seasoning, salt, and pepper until it looks totally unified. Dump in your uncooked rice and those optional frozen broccoli florets, give it a good stir, and pour that whole creamy mixture right over the chicken in the skillet. Gently stir everything so the rice is submerged.

Step-by-Step Baking Instructions for Creamy Baked Chicken and Rice

This simple cheesy chicken and rice dish needs that initial covered time to steam the rice perfectly. Cover that skillet tightly with foil and pop it into the preheated oven. It bakes like that for exactly 30 minutes. When the timer goes off, take the foil off—careful of that hot steam! Now, it’s cheese time. Sprinkle your sharp cheddar evenly across the top. Back into the oven it goes, uncovered this time, for another 10 to 15 minutes. Watch it until that cheese is bubbly, golden, and looks irresistible.

SAVE IT

The last step is crucial, so don’t skip it even if you’re starving! Let the casserole rest on the counter for 5 minutes after it comes out. That little resting time lets the sauce settle and thickens up any last bits of liquid. That’s how you get that perfect, scoopable slice! I love serving this dish alongside something bright, like my famous Chicken Salad Chick Grape Salad, just to cut through some of that cheesy richness.

Tips for Success Making the Best Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

If you want this cheesy chicken and rice casserole to turn out perfectly creamy every single time, I have a few non-negotiables based on my own trial and error. First thing: make absolutely certain that skillet you are using is oven-safe! If it has a plastic handle, nope, don’t use it; you’ll just make a melted plastic mess, and that’s not how we cook here.

Second, during that initial stir before you cover it, really make sure that uncooked rice is completely submerged in the soup mixture. If the rice sits dry on top, it’s going to come out crunchy, and no one wants a crunchy chew in their otherwise smooth dinner.

SAVE IT

When it’s done, don’t just rely on sight! Insert a fork gently into the rice near the center; if it feels tender all the way through and there’s no hard crunch, you’re good to go. If you need another crunchy side, make sure you try my Crispy Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes for serving!

Variations on Cheesy Chicken and Rice Skillet Meal

This recipe is wonderfully flexible, which is key for keeping things fresh even when you rely on it as a weeknight staple. If you want to upgrade your cheesy chicken and rice without adding any extra pots, try sneaking in some sliced fresh mushrooms or some diced bell peppers along with the onions. They cook down beautifully in that soup mixture!

If you found yourself with extra prep time on a Sunday, you can totally turn this into a set-it-and-forget-it option. For a Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken Rice version, mix all the creamy ingredients and the raw chicken/rice in the Crockpot—no pre-browning necessary! Cook on low for 6-7 hours. You’ll just stir the cheese in during the last 15 minutes before serving because you don’t want to cook the cheese too long in the slow cooker.

If you’re feeling bold, swap out the Italian seasoning for some chili powder and cumin for a fun Mexican kick! We’ve got lots of slow cooker ideas over on my Crockpot Cowboy Soup post that you might want to check out for inspiration!

Serving Suggestions for Your Hearty Cheesy Rice and Chicken

This Hearty Cheesy Rice and Chicken is definitely a complete meal all on its own, I won’t lie. It’s so rich, creamy, and packed with everything you need in one scoop. But you know me, I always like to add a little brightness to balance out all that delicious savory cheese!

Because the casserole is heavy and cozy, I really lean into fresh, crisp sides. You don’t want anything that takes another pot or two to clean up, so keep it simple.

• My absolute favorite thing to pair with this is a really simple green salad. Think crisp romaine or baby spinach tossed with just a light vinaigrette. It cleanses your palate between bites of gooey cheese. If you want an easy salad recipe inspiration, I have the best Mandarin Orange Salad that uses almonds and a light dressing—it’s perfect!
• If you need something warm on the table but don’t want to bake another dish, grab some nice crusty bread. Seriously, that bread is perfect for soaking up any of the leftover creamy sauce mingling at the bottom of your bowl.
• We sometimes serve an easy side of steamed green beans tossed lightly with butter and salt if the kids are requesting a vegetable outside of the broccoli already in the dish. Keep it easy, people!

The goal is quick execution, so don’t waste time making sides that take longer than the main event itself!

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Cheesy Chicken and Rice

Even the best cheesy chicken and rice leftovers deserve a little love when you bring them back out! When you have extras—which you probably will because this recipe makes a fantastic side dish to my Mashed Potato Cakes!—store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep beautifully for about three days.

When warming it up the next day, I highly recommend adding a splash of chicken broth or a tiny dollop of milk right into your portion before reheating it in the microwave. This step brings back that awesome creamy texture. A minute or two should do the trick. If you want to keep the top layer of cheese perfect, you can also reheat it covered in the oven at 300°F, but honestly, the microwave is my weeknight secret weapon for leftovers every single time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cheesy Chicken and Rice

I get so many great questions when people try this recipe for the first time, especially when they’re trying to adapt it for their own routines. It’s totally normal to wonder about substitutions when you’re seeking that perfect creamy baked chicken and rice!

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Oh, that’s a common one! You *can*, but you have to know rice types behave differently. Brown rice takes much longer to cook, usually needing an extra 15 or 20 minutes and probably more liquid. If you use brown rice in this recipe, I would suggest cooking the chicken and broth mixture on the stovetop for about 15 minutes *before* you cover it and put it in the oven, just to give those grains a head start. For a guaranteed satisfying result, stick with white rice for this specific timing structure.

I don’t have cream of mushroom soup; can I skip the cream soups?

Please don’t skip the condensed soups entirely, or you won’t get that iconic gooey chicken and rice recipes texture! They are the base of the sauce. If you are absolutely out of mushroom, you can substitute it with an equal amount of cream of celery or even cream of chicken again. If you are trying to avoid canned goods altogether, you might want to try my Garlic Parmesan Cheesy Cauliflower Rice instead, as that requires making a sauce from scratch!

How do I make this a spicy Cheesy Chicken Skillet Meal?

If you like a little kick, this is so easy to adjust! Next time you’re adding the Italian seasoning, try swapping it for about a teaspoon of smoked paprika and a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Even better? Add some chopped pickled jalapeños into the soup mixture right before you bake it. Keep it simple but spicy!

Is this recipe suitable for a 30 Minute Chicken and Rice?

If you use pre-cooked or shredded chicken instead of raw chicken breasts, then yes, it absolutely becomes a 30 Minute Chicken and Rice dream! Just remember to skip step two where you brown the raw chicken pieces, and reduce the initial covered baking time by 10 minutes total since the rice just needs to absorb the liquid and heat through, not actually cook from raw.

Making the Switch: Ditching Meal Planning for This Recipe

I know how tempting it is to sign up for those subscription boxes or intricate meal planning systems when you’re slammed for time. But honestly, after you make this cheesy chicken and rice casserole once, you’ll realize you never need to default to those costly services again! Why pay extra for someone else to pack ingredients you probably already have?

This is the definition of a simple weeknight dinner that saves you money *and* stress. For the cost of one delivery, you can make this hearty dish twice! If you want to skip the complexity and just get a fantastic dinner on the table fast, this recipe is your answer. It rivals any fancy dinner you could order, and you can find more easy one-pan ideas like my Skillet Lasagna right here!

Nutritional Information Estimate

Now, I always tell people that when you’re cooking a big, cheesy comfort dish like this cheesy chicken and rice casserole, it’s best not to dwell too much on the numbers, but I know some of you are curious! I ran the numbers based on the ingredients list we used above, and here is what we are generally looking at per serving (assuming 6 servings total).

Please remember these are just my best estimates! Once you start swapping out chicken types or using a different cheese, those numbers change, so take them just as a guideline, not a medical fact. Nutrition labels are never as fun as the actual cooking!

• Calories: approximately 550
• Total Fat: around 25g (Be careful with the Saturated Fat, which hovers near 14g because of all that wonderful cheddar!)
• Protein: a hearty 38g (Great for keeping the family full!)
• Carbohydrates: about 45g
• Sodium: This one is a little high at 850mg, mostly thanks to those fantastic canned soups, so keep that in mind if you are watching salt intake.

Share Your Cheesy Chicken and Rice Creations

Honestly, seeing what you all cook up brightens my whole week! I love knowing that my simple recipes are making their way onto your tables. Once you’ve tried this amazing and easy cheesy chicken and rice casserole, please come back here and let me know what you thought.

Did you add extra spices? Did you manage to sneak in some extra veggies? I want to hear every detail! Drop your review down below and give it a star rating so other busy cooks know this one is a winner. Also, I’m always looking for new pairing ideas—so for our next dinner, tell me: What did you serve with your casserole to make it a complete meal?

SAVE IT

Share Your Cheesy Chicken and Rice Creations

Honestly, seeing what you all cook up brightens my whole week! I love knowing that my simple recipes are making their way onto your tables. Once you’ve tried this amazing and easy cheesy chicken and rice casserole, please come back here and let me know what you thought.

Did you add extra spices? Did you manage to sneak in some extra veggies? I want to hear every detail! Drop your review down below and give it a star rating so other busy cooks know this one is a winner. Also, I’m always looking for new pairing ideas—so for our next dinner, tell me: What did you serve with your casserole to make it a complete meal?

One-Pan Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

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Make this simple, comforting one-pan cheesy chicken and rice casserole for a family-friendly dinner ready in under 45 minutes. It uses common pantry staples for a satisfying meal.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 45 min
• Total Time: 60 min
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
• 2 cups frozen broccoli florets (optional)
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. You do not need to cook it through.
3. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth.
5. Stir the uncooked rice and frozen broccoli (if using) into the soup mixture.
6. Pour the rice and soup mixture over the chicken in the skillet, stirring gently to combine everything evenly.
7. Cover the skillet tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
8. Remove the foil. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
9. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This recipe is a great alternative to using meal planning services.

Notes

• For an even quicker dinner, substitute the raw chicken with 2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken. Reduce the initial baking time by 10 minutes.
• If you prefer a richer flavor, substitute one can of soup with cream of cheddar cheese soup.
• This dish pairs well with a simple side salad or some crusty bread. It is a satisfying meal that beats any meal delivery service.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 5
• Sodium: 850
• Fat: 25
• Saturated Fat: 14
• Unsaturated Fat: 8
• Trans Fat: 0.5
• Carbohydrates: 45
• Fiber: 2
• Protein: 38
• Cholesterol: 110