Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe

This simple and easy Chicken Rice Casserole makes an elegant and tasty dinner. Made with onions, carrots, basmati rice, and chicken, you won't believe how delicious this meal is!

This Chicken Rice Casserole is one of those easy, no-fuss dinners that still feels special. It’s made with tender chicken thighs, fluffy basmati rice, and sweet carrots, all baked together in a flavorful broth until perfectly cooked.

There’s no canned soup or heavy cream here — just fresh ingredients and delicious, comforting flavors. While it bakes, you’ll have time to set the table and toss together a simple salad. This is the kind of meal that brings everyone together. 🥰

🎥Video Tutorial

Here is a useful video that shows how I make this Chicken Rice Casserole.

🥘 Ingredients You’ll Need

• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (1 lb / 450 g) – Tender and juicy, perfect for this casserole.
• Basmati rice (1 cup / 200 g) – Fluffy and aromatic; Jasmine rice also works.
• Olive oil (3 tbsp / 45 ml) – For sautéing vegetables and adding richness.
• Onion (1 medium / 150 g) – Diced for flavor and aroma.
• Carrots (2 medium / 150 g) – Shredded for color and natural sweetness.
• Chicken broth (2 cups / 480 ml) – Use homemade or store-bought.
• Favorite chicken seasoning (1 tsp / 3 g) – Try Mrs. Dash, Old Bay, or Italian seasoning.
• Salt and black pepper (1 tsp / 5 g) – Adjust to taste.
• Turmeric (¼ tsp / 1 g, optional) – Adds a beautiful golden color.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Chicken Rice Casserole

1. Sauté the vegetables. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes, then add the carrots and cook for 3 more minutes.

2. Cook the chicken. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and season with salt, pepper, and your favorite chicken seasoning. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Assemble the casserole. Transfer the chicken mixture to a medium casserole dish. Add the rice and pour in the chicken broth. Stir to combine evenly.

4. Bake until tender. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes. When done, fluff the rice with a fork, sprinkle with fresh herbs, and serve warm.

💡 Helpful Tips

• Use dark meat: Boneless chicken thighs stay juicy and tender.
• Use Basmati rice: It cooks evenly and stays fluffy, not sticky.
• Skip canned soups: This lighter version is full of flavor without them.
• Add color: A pinch of turmeric or yellow broth gives a warm golden hue.
• No peeking: Keep the foil on while baking for the perfect texture.

🧀 Recipe Variations

• Add veggies: Mix in peas, diced bell peppers, broccoli, or green beans.
• Top with cheese: Sprinkle cheddar or Parmesan during the last 5 minutes.
• Use brown rice: Adjust liquid and baking time per package instructions.
• Add turmeric: ¼ tsp adds color and subtle warmth.
• Use leftover chicken: Great with pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken (reduce cooking in Step 3 to 1–2 minutes).

🥗 Serving Suggestions

• Toppings. Add a spoonful of sour cream or Salsa Roja and enjoy!
• Salad. Level up a salad with these shrimp, like this Wedge Salad, Refreshing Cucumber Salad, Iceberg Lettuce Salad, Jennifer Aniston Salad, or Avocado Tomato Salad.
• Vegetables. For a low-carb dinner, serve them alongside some Fajita Veggies, Steamed Asparagus, Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Steamed Broccoli Rabe, or Easy Baked Okra.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Cover tightly with foil or use a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes, or until heated through.

💡 Tip: Add a splash of broth before reheating to keep it moist.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💛 Final Thoughts

This Chicken Rice Casserole is everything I love in a home-cooked meal — simple, comforting, and full of flavor. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that feels special without extra effort.

Please refer to the recipe card below for the nutrition information, and you can find a printable recipe there. Leave me a comment or a star rating. I can't wait for your feedback!

Chicken Rice Casserole

Tania Sheff

This simple and easy Chicken Rice Casserole makes an elegant and tasty dinner. Made with onions, carrots, basmati rice, and chicken, you won’t believe how delicious this meal is!

4.69 from 262 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Course

Cuisine ukrainian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 549 kcal

VIDEO TUTORIAL

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 1 lb. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup Basmati rice
• 3 tbsp. Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, diced
• 2 medium Carrots, shredded
• 2 cups Chicken broth
• 1 tsp. Favorite Chicken Seasoning* (or to taste)
• 1 tsp. Salt and pepper, to taste** (or to taste)
• ¼ tsp. turmeric, optional (for color)***

Instructions

 

• Sauté the vegetables. Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes, then add the carrots and cook for 3 more minutes.
  3 tbsp. Olive oil, 1 medium Onion, diced, 2 medium Carrots, shredded
  
• Cook the chicken. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and season with salt, pepper, and your favorite chicken seasoning. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  1 lb. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1 tsp. Favorite Chicken Seasoning*, 1 tsp. Salt and pepper, to taste**, ¼ tsp. turmeric, optional (for color)***
  
• Assemble the casserole. Transfer the chicken mixture to a medium casserole dish. Add the rice and pour in the chicken broth. Stir to combine evenly.
  1 cup Basmati rice, 2 cups Chicken broth
  
• Bake until tender. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes. When done, fluff the rice with a fork, sprinkle with fresh herbs, and serve warm.
  

Notes

* Mrs. Dash Original Seasoning, Taco Seasoning, Old Bay Seasoning, etc.

** Depending on how salty your chicken broth is, you may need more or less salt.

*** Add a ¼ tsp. of turmeric to get the beautiful yellow color.

HAPPY COOKING!

 

💡 Helpful Tips

• Use dark meat: Boneless chicken thighs stay juicy and tender.
• Use Basmati rice: It cooks evenly and stays fluffy, not sticky.
• Skip canned soups: This lighter version is full of flavor without them.
• Add color: A pinch of turmeric or yellow broth gives a warm golden hue.
• No peeking: Keep the foil on while baking for the perfect texture.

🧀 Recipe Variations

• Add veggies: Mix in peas, diced bell peppers, broccoli, or green beans.
• Top with cheese: Sprinkle cheddar or Parmesan during the last 5 minutes.
• Use brown rice: Adjust liquid and baking time per package instructions.
• Add turmeric: ¼ tsp adds color and subtle warmth.
• Use leftover chicken: Great with pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken (reduce cooking in Step 3 to 1–2 minutes).

Nutrition

Calories: 549kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 23gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 113mgSodium: 1026mgPotassium: 453mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 5219IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 2mg

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below, I can't wait to hear from you!

💭 A Little Note from My Kitchen

Before you go, here’s a little reminder — sometimes all it takes to warm the heart is a comforting meal and good company. 🍲💛