Chicken and Rice Casserole

Chicken and Rice Casserole
Chicken and Rice Casserole. Photo: Diana Rattray
  • 35 mins
  • Prep: 15 mins,
  • Cook: 20 mins
  • Yield: Serves 4
Ratings (10)

By Diana Rattray

Updated 10/03/17

This chicken and rice casserole is a meal in one dish, perfect for a busy family. It also makes a nice dish to take along to a dinner or potluck event.

Serve this chicken casserole with a tossed salad or sliced tomatoes and ​warm rolls or biscuits for a fabulous busy day meal.

I poached chicken breasts in a little chicken broth, but you could also use a rotisserie chicken to make this even quicker.

What You'll Need

  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon dried leaf thyme or marjoram
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups diced cooked chicken
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • salt, to taste
  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, cooked just until tender
  • 1/2 cup soft fine bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

How to Make It

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.
  2. Grease a 2-quart baking dish or spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and thyme and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Gradually stir in the chicken broth and milk, cooking and stirring until thickened and smooth. Add the pepper, taste, and add salt, as needed. Stir in the chicken and set aside.
  1. Spread the cooked rice in the baking dish, then sprinkle with the cooked peas and carrots. Spoon the chicken mixture over the vegetable layer. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the chicken layer.
  2. Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter and toss with the bread crumbs until the crumbs are thoroughly coated. Sprinkle the crumbs over the cheese layer.
  3. Bake the casserole for 20 to 25 minutes, until hot and bubbly and lightly browned.

Serves 4.

 

 

Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
Calories 1127
Total Fat 49 g
Saturated Fat 22 g
Unsaturated Fat 17 g
Cholesterol 184 mg
Sodium 1,097 mg
Carbohydrates 113 g
Dietary Fiber 5 g
Protein 56 g
(The nutrition information on our recipes is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. Individual results may vary.)