Here’s a comforting casserole that checks all the boxes for what you want in a homemade dinner. With familiar flavors and a proven tasty combination of chicken and rice, this recipe is delicious and something the whole family will look forward to eating. This chicken and rice casserole recipe is also veggie loaded and features a creamy cheese sauce base. Additionally, you can make it conveniently from easy to find ingredients.
Recipe Highlights
This Chicken and Rice Casserole recipe is one you’ll come back to for your weekly meal plans because it:
- is made from easy-to-find ingredients and frozen pre-chopped veggies to save time
- is comforting with familiar, well-loved flavors in a creamy, cheesy sauce
- includes healthful ingredients, including veggies, chicken, and long-grain rice
A Delicious, healthy chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe
Favorite flavors come together in this Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole recipe that is easy, veggie loaded, and family friendly. Plus, you can easily make it gluten free, if needed, by using a gluten-free flour blend. You can’t go wrong when familiar flavors hit the table, and you can rest easy knowing that dinner will include several food groups plus plenty of protein and fiber all in a cozy casserole.
Ingredients to make Chicken and Rice Casserole
Here are the ingredients to gather to make this recipe today:
- boneless skinless chicken breast – you could also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- uncooked rice – we recommend basmati, jasmine, or long-grain white rice (we do not recommend brown rice, as it will take much longer to cook)
- frozen California vegetable blend – we call for a bag of “California” blend frozen veggies, which is common at all grocery stores and includes a mix of frozen broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots
- onion – use a small yellow or white onion
- butter
- all-purpose flour – may use regular unbleached all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour. For gluten-free flour, we always reach for Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour. If you don’t need casserole that is gluten free, you can use an equal amount of unbleached all-purpose flour. We’ve tested this recipe with both, and both flours achieve great results
- broth – use chicken or vegetable broth
- milk – you can use any dairy or non-dairy milk of choice; we used 2% cow’s milk
- pantry spices – you’ll need garlic powder, paprika, fine salt, and black pepper
- Dijon mustard
- Shredded cheddar cheese
For the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below. All of our recipes include the nutrition information, listing kcals, protein, carbohydrates, cholesterol, fiber, sugar, sodium, total fat, and more per serving.
how to make chicken and rice casserole Recipe
Here are the basic steps for how to make chicken and rice casserole:
- Make the cheese sauce: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk. Reduce the heat and add the milk. Next whisk in the broth and spices. Increase the heat and boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add 2 cups of the cheese; stir until smooth.
- Build the casserole: Pour the cheese sauce into the baking dish. Add the chicken, rice, onion, and frozen vegetables; stir well.
- Cover and bake: Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir the casserole. Re-cover and bake another 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and remove the foil. Stir the casserole again, then sprinkle remaining cheese over top.
- Melt the cheese: Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake another 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to stand for 10 minutes before serving.
For the complete directions, ingredient amounts, and nutrition analysis that lists calories, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, sodium per serving, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Frequently Asked Questions
We call for raw chicken in this casserole, however, you could use pre-cooked chicken instead and stir it in during Step 6 of the recipe card below (after the casserole has been baking for 30 minutes).
Certainly, you can use any mix of raw or frozen vegetables that you would prefer.
Yes, you can fully make this casserole ahead, then allow it to cool at room temperature before covering tightly and freezing for up to 3 months. To reheat, allow the casserole to thaw in the refrigerator for 24-36 hours before baking, then reheat in a 375-degree oven for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through.
Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole (Easy & Veggie Loaded)
A classic and comforting casserole gets a health and flavor boost from the addition of veggies and a homemade cheese sauce. A family-friendly casserole that provides well-rounded nutrition, delicious leftovers, and reheats well.
Ingredients
For the Cheese Sauce:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick)
- ⅓ cup flour*
- 3 cups milk of choice (we used 2%)
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, divided (2 ½ – ¾ cups)
For the Casserole:
- 1 ¼ lbs. raw boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (~½ inch)
- 1 cup uncooked basmati, jasmine, or long-grain white rice (note: we have not tested this recipe with brown rice or any other type of rice then what is listed. We recommend you use basmati, jasmine, or long-grain white rice)
- ½ medium yellow onion, minced or very finely diced (~ 1 cup)
- 1 (16-ounce) bag frozen California blend vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375℉.
- Generously mist or grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or butter; set aside.
- Place a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the butter. When the butter is melted, sprinkle the flour over the butter and whisk for 1 minute.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the milk, 1 cup at a time, whisking slowly and continuously after each addition until all of the milk has been added.
- Next whisk in the broth. Stir in the garlic powder, salt, mustard, paprika, and pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high and allow the mixture to come to a boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat.
- Add 2 cups of the shredded cheese to the sauce; stir until smooth. Pour the cheese sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add the raw chicken pieces, uncooked rice, onion, and frozen vegetables. Stir very well to combine (this is important for all of the rice to cook through). Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and stir the casserole very well. Re-cover with the foil and bake for another 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and remove the foil. Stir once more very well, then sprinkle the remaining 1/2-3/4 cup cheese over the top.
- Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake another 10 minutes. Remove from the oven (casserole will be slightly soupy) allow to stand for 20 minutes before serving. This standing time is necessary for the casserole to thicken and cool enough to eating temperature.
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Notes
*May use unbleached all-purpose flour or a gluten-free flour blend. For gluten-free flour, we recommend Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the recipe
- Calories: 402
- Fat: 18 g
- (Sat Fat: 11 g)
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Carbohydrate: 32 g
- (Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 7 g)
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 92. mg
Dietary
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The photos in this blog post were taken by Rachel Cook of Half Acre House.
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Catherine says
My first thought was, “That’s a lot of liquid for one cup of rice!” It turns out that there is way too much cheese sauce (béchamel), which gave it a very pasty texture. If I do make this again, I will either reduce the amount of milk to 1.5 cups and the flour to 5-6 tablespoons or double the amount of rice and broth.
Also, I would never use frozen veggies, so I added fresh broccoli at the 30-minute mark, and it still turned out mushy. Next time, I will wait to add it until the second stirring.
It is also somewhat bland, so more seasoning!! I also liked Claire’s idea to use rotisserie, which would also increase the flavor profile, but this would be added at the same time as the broccoli to prevent dry chicken.
Stacie Hassing says
This recipe has us scratching our heads. We are a team of 5 and I think between us all it has been tested 10-15x and we haven’t been able to replicate this issue. I’m so sorry it didn’t turn out for you. Frozen vegetables are a great, budget-friendly recipe and make for a super easy addition. We have not tested this recipe with fresh vegetables. For rice, this recipe has been tested with jasmine, basmati, and long-grain white rice. The rice definitely is more soft the times I have made this, but still has texture. For sure, if you prefer more seasoning you can definitely add to it. Thanks for the feedback!
Casey Stephan says
Can you substitute the milk and cheese to make it dairy free? If so, what do you reccommend?
Jessie Shafer says
Hi Casey, this is one of those recipes that is a little more difficult to convert to dairy free. However, it can be done. Our suggestions (disclaimer: we have not tested this recipe with all of these substitutions) are to use coconut oil or a non-dairy stick butter in place of the butter, a non-dairy milk such as almond milk in place of the milk, and a meltable non-dairy shredded cheese (such as Daiya or Follow Your Heart) in place of the Cheddar cheese. Please let us know if you do try this.
Emma says
Followed the recipe exactly and it turned out great! Glad to have an updated version of a comforting dish from childhood.
Stacie Hassing says
Awesome Emma! Thanks for the feedback and 5-star review!
Laura Nase says
This turned out so yummy! I have a few post party friends who have requested no tomatoes for meals but they still want comfort food. This one checks all the marks! My toddlers gobbled this up at well. I followed the directions exactly and it turned out great!
Stacie Hassing says
Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing this great feedback! We appreciate the 5-star review!
Lila says
I am delighted to have a recipe that does NOT use those unhealthy creamed soups. I followed the recipe precisely and split it between 2 pans since I’m providing a meal for an ill friend. It did cook differently in the pans but still turned out great. I used the Costco canned chicken and sautéed broccoli and shredded a carrot to go along vs frozen vegs. I mixed that in as directed. I would use this recipe again.
Stacie Hassing says
We are so happy to hear this will be a repeat for you Lila! Thanks so much for the feedback and 5-star review!