Chicken and Rice Casserole with Cream of Mushroom Soup is a popular dish that is great for family gatherings around a big table with good food. This casserole is perfect because it’s a hearty meal that’s easy to make and will fill up the whole family. This recipe for Chicken and Rice Casserole with Cream of Mushroom Soup is a classic comfort food that never fails, and that’s why I want to share it with you. With simple ingredients and easy preparation, it is also a favorite recipe for all of us who want to surprise and treat ourselves to something honest, tasty, and at the same time don’t want to experiment too much.
Feel free to customize this casserole to your liking. Add other ingredients you like. It could be frozen peas, broccoli, or extra mushrooms. You can also use different types of cheese or even add a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick if your guests don’t mind. To save time, you can use grilled chicken or leftover cooked chicken from the day before. Simply slice or dice the chicken and add to the casserole mixture. For an extra creamy texture, you can use heavy cream or sour cream instead of milk, which I always do because I think the result is more luxurious. This casserole can be conveniently assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake. In this case, do not forget to slightly extend the baking time if the casserole is cold from the refrigerator. So, enough talk and let’s get down to it, because this recipe is simply great!
Recipe
Ingredients in this recipe
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup grated cheese (optional, for topping)
Step-by-step instructions
- Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter. I usually prefer butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, uncooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, chicken stock, milk or cream, chopped onion, chopped celery, chopped carrot, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C).
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Cover the baking pan with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
- After 45 minutes, carefully remove the foil and check the casserole. The rice should be mostly cooked, but it may take a little more time. Stir the pan gently to ensure even cooking.
- Return the uncovered casserole to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes or so, or until the rice is fully cooked and the top is golden brown.
- If desired, sprinkle the top of the casserole with grated cheese during the last 10 minutes of baking. This will create a delicious cheese crust.
- Once the casserole is done and the cheese is melted and bubbling, remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
- Serve warm, garnished as desired with herbs of your choice, for example.
This Chicken and Rice Casserole with Cream of Mushroom Soup is sure to become a family favorite. Its creamy, savory goodness and comforting flavors make it a go-to meal for cozy evenings at home or special gatherings. Enjoy the wonderful aromas and delicious taste of this timeless dish!