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A close-up of a creamy chicken and rice casserole in a white baking dish with a spoon lifting a cheesy scoop.
Heba Mohmed

Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

A comforting, classic American dinner that takes just 10 minutes of prep time. Perfect for busy weeknights!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
  • 1 packet Lipton Onion soup mix
  • 1 can 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 can 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
  • 2 cups milk
  • ¾ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 cups minute rice, uncooked
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 9×13 baking pan

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  2. Spray a 9×13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  3. In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken, uncooked minute rice, onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, water, and salt/pepper. Mix thoroughly.
  4. Pour the mixture into your prepared baking pan and smooth out the top.
  5. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  6. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes until hot and bubbly.
  7. Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, and serve hot.

Notes

  • For a Cheesy Twist: If you want your casserole to look exactly like the photo, simply sprinkle 1 to 1.5 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top during the last 15 minutes of baking (when you remove the foil).
  • The Rice Type Matters: This recipe is specifically formulated for Instant Rice (Minute Rice). Do not use regular uncooked white or long-grain jasmine rice, as they require much more liquid and a longer baking time to tenderize.
  • Chicken Shortcuts: To make this a true 10-minute prep meal, use store-bought rotisserie chicken or leftover shredded chicken breast. If you only have raw chicken on hand, make sure to dice it finely and sauté or poach it before adding it to the mixture.
  • Sodium Control: Since Lipton Onion Soup Mix and canned cream soups naturally contain a good amount of salt, we recommend tasting the mixture before adding extra salt. You can also use "Low-Sodium" or "Light" versions of the cream of chicken and mushroom soups to keep the sodium in check.
  • Liquids & Substitutions: For an even richer flavor, you can swap the 1/2  cup of water for low-sodium chicken broth. If you don't have sour cream on hand, full-fat plain Greek yogurt works as a perfect 1:1 substitute.