Comfort in a Casserole: My Favorite Chicken & Rice Bake

Nov 23, 2025
2 min read

Some recipes just feel like home, and this Chicken and Rice Casserole is one of them. It’s cozy, creamy, irresistibly cheesy, and the kind of dish that magically disappears at potlucks and family gatherings. It’s also one of my favorite ways to use rotisserie chicken—easy, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights.

This is one of my favorite food fairy dishes. It is comfort food at its best.

This treat was shared with a co-work on the occasion of her birthday!

This casserole has been in my rotation for years because it checks all the boxes:

✔️ Simple ingredients

✔️ Crowd-pleasing flavors

✔️ Freezer-friendly

✔️ Comforting without being fussy

And with the crunchy topping of breadcrumbs and sliced almonds, it has just the right amount of texture to make every bite satisfying.

Below is the full recipe—plus a pro tip: go ahead and double it. One for your family, and one for a friend who could use a warm meal.

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Ingredients

1 (6¼ oz) package fast-cooking long grain & wild rice blend (like Uncle Ben’s)
⅓ cup butter
1 medium onion, chopped
3 medium celery ribs, chopped
1 (8 oz) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
2½ cups chopped cooked chicken (rotisserie works beautifully)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 (8 oz) container sour cream
½ cup milk
1 tsp Nature’s Seasoning
¾ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
Sliced almonds (for topping)

Instructions

1. Prep the rice.

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Cook the wild rice blend according to the package instructions and set aside.

2. Build the flavor base.

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and water chestnuts. Sauté for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.

3. Mix it all together.

In a large bowl, stir together the cooked rice, chicken, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, the soup, sour cream, milk, and Nature’s Seasoning. Combine well. Spoon this creamy mixture into a lightly greased 4-quart casserole dish.

4. Bake to perfection.

Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining cheese, breadcrumbs, and sliced almonds. Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, just until everything is golden and bubbly.

5. Double the recipe and share!

This casserole tastes even better the next day, and it freezes wonderfully. Make two—one for your family and one to deliver to a neighbor, a new mom, or a friend who needs a little comfort.

Why You’ll Love This Casserole

Fast prep: Thanks to rotisserie chicken and a quick-cook rice blend.
Versatile: Swap in different cheeses, add mushrooms or peas, or use turkey instead of chicken.
Family-friendly: Even picky eaters dig into this one.
Perfect for gatherings: It feeds a crowd and travels well.