Rotisserie Chicken and Rice Casserole is an incredibly easy and delicious dinner that is perfect for busy weeknights! Comfort food FAST! This easy casserole is made with rotisserie chicken, rice, almonds, celery and more! A family favorite that I’ve been making for decades! Love casseroles? Makes sure to try my Tater Tot Casserole and Tuna Casserole with Noodles!
Chicken and Rice Casserole
One of my all-time favorite comfort meals is Chicken and Rice Casserole. I have been making this easy dinner since I was about 10 years old. My husband thought he didn’t like casseroles… BUT he eats this one up and LOVES it. He always wants the leftovers for lunch the next day 🙂
The boys clean their plates every single time and the great thing is – it’s SOO easy! I have modified this recipe over the years cutting down on the mayo and using a rotisserie chicken to save time. (I also have a chicken broccoli casserole recipe on my site that is based off of this recipe.)
We usually use corn flakes for the topping but seasoned bread crumbs, Ritz crackers, French Fried Onions, potato chips and panko can also be used. See below for lots of options. There are tons of comments on this post with great suggestions for customizing this easy chicken rice casserole.
This recipe is also great for using up leftover rice and chicken and can be assembled ahead of time. Pop it in the oven when you get home!
This delicious and easy chicken casserole recipe is one of several that inspired my new book 100 Creative Ways to Use Rotisserie Chicken in Everyday Meals.
Easy Chicken Casserole Recipes
We love cooking with rotisserie chicken and particularly love it for chicken casseroles. Make sure to try these favorites:
- Hawaiian Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
- Easy Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole
What Ingredients Are In Chicken and Rice Casserole?
Every chicken and rice casserole recipe is going to be a little different and that’s what makes casseroles so fun – they are so easy to customize!
This version has the following ingredients:
- rotisserie chicken – you can use any cooked chicken
- rice – brown or white rice works, just make sure you cook it beforehand. I’ve also had readers that substituted in cooked noodles for the rice and it turned out great.
- sliced almonds – some people like to use slivered almonds or a different nut altogether. You can also omit entirely if you prefer.
- celery – I love the crunch that celery adds but any veggie will work here.
- cream of chicken soup – any cream soup will work: mushroom, celery, etc. I use the “healthy” version and/or low sodium if I can find it.
- mayonnaise – lots of readers sub in greek yogurt or sour cream or a combination. Just make sure you have a total of half a cup. The greek yogurt is a great way to make this a healthy chicken casserole.
- seasoning – salt and pepper to taste and any other seasoning you like. Garlic powder and onion powder are reader favorites.
Casserole Variations
You can see from the ingredients list above how many different ways there are to customize this casserole. You could make it a different way every week for the entire year and never have the same casserole twice lol!
One of the most delicious ways to customize this casserole is with the topping. Here are some toppings to consider:
- Ritz Crackers – treat this ingredient the same way you would the cornflakes (other crackers works as well). Chicken casserole with ritz crackers is a favorite around here!
- Breadcrumbs – you could use plain or flavored bread crumbs. Mix with 3 tablespoons of butter before sprinkling over the top.
- Cornflakes + Shredded Cheese – use any kind of cheese you like.
- Potato Chips – use your favorite to add flavor and crunch
- French Fried Onions – a reader favorite, this adds both crunch and flavor to the casserole – so good!
- Panko – just make to toss this with plenty of butter and seasoning. Paprika and garlic powder and delicious!
Chicken Casserole Tips
- Mix up the ingredients right in the baking dish. When I’m trying to save time, I don’t mess around 🙂
- Pour cornflakes into a bag and crush away. They don’t have to be crushed to dust or anything – just break them down into smaller pieces.
- Sprinkle the cornflakes over the top of the casserole. Drizzle melted butter over the top. Mo’ cornflakes, mo’ bettah. My boys love the crunch!
- The recipe can be doubled – make sure to use a 9×13 baking dish.
- This casserole can be frozen. Add the topping just before baking.
My family asks for this casserole at least once a week. I’m not even exaggerating here. It’s just so easy and leftovers are amazing the next day! Do give it a try!
More Easy Casseroles To Try
- The BEST Tater Tot Casserole
- The Best Tuna Casserole with Noodles
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole
- Loaded BBQ Pork Potato Casserole
- Easy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
How To Make Chicken and Rice Casserole
Rotisserie Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups diced rotisserie chicken or any other cooked chicken
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup can use low-sodium or Healthy Request; other cream soups can be used
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds or slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup crushed corn flakes see post for more topping ideas
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine all ingredients into a greased 9x13 baking dish. I use a 9x13 because we like extra room for our corn flakes {more crunch!} but this recipe will fit into an 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish.
- Mix up the ingredients right in the baking dish.
- Pour cornflakes into a bag and crush away. They don't have to be crushed to dust or anything - just break them down into smaller pieces.
- Sprinkle the cornflakes over the top of the casserole.
- Drizzle melted butter over the top.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until casserole is heated through.
Video
Nutrition
Originally published September 20, 2012.
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Becky says
I wonder if this will freeze???
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It absolutely will Becky!
Jenn says
Hi,
Totally want to try this dish, thank you. Just wondering what size can of soup you used though.
Leslie says
I am eating this casserole as I type. Delicious! And so easy. I had everything but the cornflakes already. So I subbed some Ritz crackers mixed with French fried onions. Thank you for a new recipe that I will use often.
Erin says
I think I’m going to try this but with French fried onions instead of corn flakes. Yeah, you heard that right, French.fried.onions.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh! Good call Erin! That’s going to be awesome!
Joice says
I would love to have the small paring knife to replace the Chicago knife with a wooden handle that I have had for 30 years. I have been trying to find a store that sells the.
Alice says
Do you think this would work with baked potato slices (or diced pieces) instead of rice? I have potatoes on hand and would really like to use them, I’m just wondering if the casserole would hold together like yours does (how each portion comes out as a perfect sturdy square).
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Alice! I think the consistency would be different but it sounds like it would be super yummy! The only thing that you’re going to run into trouble with is that the potatoes (I’m assuming…) are raw and everything else in the casserole is cooked. The time in the oven just kind of brings everything together and heats up the ingredients. Maybe pre-cook the potatoes? Honestly, now I want to try this myself! Good luck!
roz says
I have been doing your chicken casserole for years, but I do sour cream instead of mayo and 1/4 cup of chicken broth mixed with cream of chicken soup ,then i put ritz crackers over top with a little melted butter . I haven’t tried the corn flakes yet but i will . would love to try any of the knives .
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Sour cream! I am so going to try that and I bet the Ritz crackers are perfect with this casserole – yum! Thanks for stopping by!
Shari says
Am going to try your recipe today as it looks great! Question, what are your thoughts on freezing a batch? Any tips or pointers? Thanks!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Hi Shari! I haven’t frozen this casserole but you absolutely should be able to. I would assemble all of the ingredients without the topping and freeze. Then when you’re ready to bake, thaw first and then add the topping before throwing it in the oven. Let me know how it goes if you give it a try!
Sue says
This sounds delicious! My hubby is allergic to Almonds/tree nuts, is there something else I could add or would it be okay to omit the nuts altogether?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Just omit the nuts Sue – no problem there! Let me know what you think after you give it a try 🙂
Angela says
We don’t have nut allergies, but I omitted the nuts & used sliced mushroons, instead. It was very tasty. Since I wasn’t in a hurry I cooked my own chicken – and it was a lot cheaper than buying a Rotisserie Chicken at the supermarket, but I definately understand the ladies who work outside of the home, and still want to make a nice dinner for their family. This is a very delicious dish, and I’ll make it again & again.
Jessie says
This sounds delish!! Pinning and trying 🙂
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Jessie!
Christopher says
I love comfort food like this. Since I don’t eat butter, margarine or anything else like that, I use a pump sprayer with a good quality vegetable oil and spray that over the top of the corn flakes.
Wow, has Chicago Cutlery come a long way. I still have my 40 year old “CC” butchering knives and 10 in. Chinese cleaver. They’re all high carbon steel with wooden handles.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That sounds great Christopher! Such an easy way to cut down on saturated fat too. I sure hope my knives last that long! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Laurie says
I have this in the oven right now. I added red onion and mixed italian bread crumbs with cheddar cheese instead of corn flakes.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
mmmmmm – sounds delicious! Let me know how it turned out!
Jessica says
I’ve been making this casserole for about 18 years and it is my favorite comfort food. I sometimes add onion…sometimes not. It’s excellent for breakfast!
Jenn says
Trish – this looks YUMMY!
Tresa says
Your chicken casserole looks delicious! I think it’s “what’s for dinner” tonight, thank you!