Name: Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened and cubed; 1/2 Cup Butter, softened and cubed; 3 Cups Cooked Chicken, diced or shredded (rotisserie recommended); 3 Cups Cooked Rice (1/3 wild rice, 2/3 white rice); 1 ¼ Cup Cream of Chicken Soup; 3 Cloves Garlic, minced; 0.7 ounce Good Seasons Dry Italian Dressing Mix; 1 Cup Chicken Broth; 2 ½ Cups Colby Jack Cheese, shredded and divided; Salt and Pepper, to taste; Fresh Parsley, for garnish

If you’re on the hunt for a cozy, comforting dish that feels like a warm hug, you absolutely have to try my Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe. This is one of those recipes I keep going back to because it’s just so satisfying — tender chicken, creamy cheesy sauce, and fluffy rice all baked into one luscious dish. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or feeding a crowd, you’ll find this recipe incredibly easy to pull together and reliably delicious.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Creamy Texture: Thanks to cream cheese and butter whipped together, this casserole is incredibly rich without being heavy.
Easy Weeknight Comfort: Using rotisserie chicken and pre-cooked rice makes the whole process quick and foolproof.
Flavor-Packed: The garlic, Italian seasoning mix, and cheese add just the right punch of savory goodness.
Family-Friendly Crowd Pleaser: I’ve never met anyone who could resist this cheesy, cozy bake!

The image shows a white baking dish filled with a baked casserole. The casserole has a top layer of melted cheese that is yellow and white with a slightly browned, bubbly texture. There are small green herb pieces sprinkled on top, adding color contrast. The dish is positioned on a wooden surface, which should be imagined as a white marbled texture. The cheese layer covers the entire dish evenly, with some browned spots around the edges, showing a crispy texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole, easy comfort food recipes, hearty baked chicken and rice dish, quick dinner ideas, cheesy casserole recipes

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients might feel simple, but together they make magic happen — creamy, cheesy, and perfectly savory. I love mixing wild rice with white rice for a little extra texture, but feel free to stick with your favorite rice variety.

Flat lay of a few cubed cream cheese blocks, several small cubes of butter, a pile of diced cooked rotisserie chicken, a mix of wild and white cooked rice, three peeled garlic cloves, a small white bowl of creamy chicken soup, a small white bowl with golden chicken broth, a small white bowl filled with finely shredded Colby Jack cheese, a small white bowl containing dry Italian dressing mix, a small white bowl of coarse salt, a small white bowl of cracked black pepper, and a small bunch of fresh parsley, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole, easy comfort food recipes, hearty baked chicken and rice dish, quick dinner ideas, cheesy casserole recipes

Cream Cheese: Softening it first is key to getting a smooth, creamy sauce—don’t skip this step.
Butter: Adds richness and helps balance the tang of the cream cheese.
Cooked Chicken: I swear by rotisserie chicken from Costco for ease and flavor, but home-cooked or leftover chicken works great too.
Cooked Rice: Using a mix of wild and white rice adds subtle nutty flavor and a pleasing bite.
Cream of Chicken Soup: Brings cozy, savory depth and keeps everything tender.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives a lovely aromatic lift.
Good Seasons Dry Italian Dressing Mix: This little secret gives a perfect herb and spice balance without needing extra measuring.
Chicken Broth: Keeps the dish moist and adds extra chicken-y flavor.
Colby Jack Cheese: Half mixed in, half on top for that perfect melty, golden finish.
Salt and Pepper: To taste — don’t be shy, seasoning is everything!
Fresh Parsley: For a bright, fresh garnish that cuts through all the creaminess beautifully.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this casserole is a fantastic base recipe that you can easily customize to fit your tastes or whatever you have on hand. Here are a few ways I’ve made it my own over the years—you’ll find your own favorites too!

Add Veggies: I often throw in frozen peas or chopped spinach for a pop of color and extra nutrition—my family barely notices because it’s so cheesy and delicious.
Dairy-Free Swap: Try coconut cream cheese and vegan butter if you need to keep it dairy-free; texture will be a bit different but still rich and tasty.
Spice It Up: Add some red pepper flakes or swap Italian dressing mix for taco seasoning for a little kick and twist.
Rice Substitutes: Quinoa or cauliflower rice works if you want to lighten things up or add some protein variation.

How to Make Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Mix the Creamy Base

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and generously spraying a 9×13” casserole dish with cooking spray. While that’s warming up, whisk the softened cream cheese and butter together until the mixture is silky smooth—this will create that dreamy creamy texture you’re after.

Step 2: Combine the Ingredients

In a large bowl, toss in your cooked chicken and rice, then add the cream cheese and butter mixture. Next, stir in the cream of chicken soup, minced garlic, Italian dressing mix, chicken broth, half the shredded cheese, plus salt and pepper to taste. I like to use my hands once the mixture looks mostly combined—it helps evenly distribute the cream cheese. Just be gentle so the rice doesn’t mash.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Transfer your chicken and rice mixture into the prepared casserole dish, then sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top. Cover the dish loosely with foil sprayed with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Bake for about 25 minutes — start checking around 20 minutes. Halfway through, I like to remove the foil so the cheese on top can get beautifully golden and bubbly.

Step 4: Let it Rest and Garnish

When the casserole comes out of the oven, let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving—this helps everything set and makes scooping easier. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color and bright flavor.

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Pro Tips for Making Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

Use Rotisserie Chicken: I discovered this trick when I needed a shortcut—it adds flavor and saves tons of prep time.
Mix Your Rice Textures: Combining wild rice with white rice brings a subtle nuttiness and texture contrast that I love.
Don’t Skip Softenings: Make sure cream cheese and butter are softened for smooth mixing—otherwise, you’ll get lumps.
Spray the Foil: Spraying the foil with nonstick spray helps cheese from sticking and tearing the top layer when you remove it.

How to Serve Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

The dish shows a close-up of a creamy cheesy casserole in a white dish, featuring visible layers where the top layer is melted golden-yellow cheese with some small green herb bits sprinkled on it. Below the cheese, there is a thick layer of creamy rice mixed with white chunks of cooked meat and bits of darker ingredients, giving a soft texture with a mix of white, light yellow, and brown shades. The white dish rests on a wooden surface, but the background is changed to a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole, easy comfort food recipes, hearty baked chicken and rice dish, quick dinner ideas, cheesy casserole recipes

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of freshly chopped parsley to top this casserole—it adds just enough brightness and freshness to cut through the richness. Sometimes, I also sprinkle a little extra shredded cheese or even some crispy fried onions for crunch when serving to guests.

Side Dishes

Since this casserole is hearty on its own, I like to serve it with simple, crisp salads—like a lemony arugula salad or crunchy coleslaw. Roasted or steamed green veggies like broccoli or asparagus also pair beautifully, adding color and a bit of bite.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to bake this casserole in smaller ramekins for individual servings, garnished with fresh herbs and a dollop of sour cream or avocado slices. It makes the meal feel just a little more festive and personal!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers reheat wonderfully—just store them in an airtight container in the fridge. I usually press some plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent drying out. It keeps well for 3 to 4 days, so perfect for lunches or dinner the next day.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this casserole a few times with great results. To freeze, I portion it into freezer-safe containers or foil pans and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Just note that the texture of the rice can change slightly but it’s still super tasty and convenient.

Reheating

When reheating, I cover the casserole with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions covered loosely with a damp paper towel to keep moisture in.

FAQs

Can I use uncooked rice in this Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe?

This recipe calls for cooked rice because it bakes quickly in the oven and doesn’t have enough liquid to cook raw rice thoroughly. If you want to use uncooked rice, you’d need to adjust the liquid and baking time accordingly, but for simplicity and best results, I recommend using pre-cooked rice.
Is this casserole freezer-friendly?

Yes! This creamy chicken and rice casserole freezes well, making it perfect for batch cooking. Just freeze before baking or freeze leftovers. Thaw completely before reheating to ensure even cooking.
Can I substitute the cream of chicken soup?

Definitely. You can use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup if you prefer, or make a homemade creamy sauce to keep it fresh and from-scratch. Just keep in mind that this will alter the flavor slightly.
How do I make this casserole less rich?

To lighten it up, try reducing the butter or using light cream cheese, substitute some rice with cauliflower rice, or add more vegetables to increase volume and nutrition without piling on calories.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe is one of those dishes that brings people together and keeps everyone coming back for seconds. I love how forgiving it is and how you can easily adjust it to your taste or what you have on hand. When I first tried making it, I thought the cream cheese might be too much—but it knocks the flavor out of the park and keeps the texture unbelievably creamy. I really hope you give it a go, because once you do, it might just become your go-to comfort meal too.