This Lazy Day Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole is the ultimate comfort food for those times when you want a hot, home-cooked meal with minimal effort. In just a few easy steps, you’ll turn a handful of pantry staples and juicy chicken breasts into a creamy, savory, family-approved classic—no stovetop fuss necessary!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Comfort: Every spoonful of creamy rice and tender chicken delivers nostalgia and warmth, just like a much-needed hug after a long day.
- Ridiculously Easy: The Lazy Day Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole comes together with just minutes of prep—no chopping, sautéing, or babysitting required.
- Pantry-Friendly: With mostly shelf-stable staples and freezer chicken, you can whip this up whenever the craving hits, no special shopping trip needed.
- Crowd-Pleasing: Even picky eaters adore the creamy, dreamy flavors—this one’s a guaranteed family favorite that goes straight into your weeknight rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The heart of the Lazy Day Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole is a handful of simple, trusted ingredients—with each one playing a key role in the rich, satisfying layers of flavor and texture. Trust me, don’t skip a single one if you want that crave-worthy, classic casserole magic!
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (1½ pounds): These provide juicy chunks of protein and soak up all that savory, creamy goodness as they bake.
- Minute Rice (2 cups): Instant rice is absolutely essential for quick, even cooking; either white or brown rice works beautifully.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup (1 can): Adds earthy depth and the silky texture that makes the casserole spoonable and luscious.
- Cream of Chicken Soup (1 can): Boosts the creaminess and infuses the dish with classic chicken flavor.
- Water (1 can—use the empty soup can): Just enough moisture to make everything cook up perfectly fluffy and tender.
- Lipton Onion Soup Mix (1 envelope): The secret weapon that gives big, bold flavor and a touch of savory sweetness—simply sprinkle and go!
- Butter (1 tbsp): Greasing the pan with butter gives a golden edge and rich, subtle flavor to the finished casserole.
Variations
This Lazy Day Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole is endlessly adaptable—don’t be afraid to make it your own! Whether you want to boost the veggies, change up the protein, or tailor it to a specific taste or dietary need, there’s no wrong way to customize this crowd-pleaser.
- Cheesy Magic: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or mozzarella over the top in the last 15 minutes of baking for a bubbly, melty finish.
- Add Veggies: Stir in a couple cups of frozen peas, carrots, or mixed vegetables to sneak in extra color and flavor.
- Swap the Protein: Substitute boneless chicken thighs for extra tenderness, or use leftover turkey for a twist on post-holiday comfort food.
- Gluten-Free Friendly: Choose gluten-free cream soups and soup mix—they’re easy to find now, so everyone can enjoy this casserole!
How to Make Lazy Day Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350° F. Generously grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with a tablespoon of butter—don’t skimp here! The buttery coating not only prevents sticking, but adds delicious richness to the edges and bottom of the rice. You can use cooking spray if you prefer, but the flavor payoff with butter is worth that tiny extra step.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Base
In a medium bowl, combine the two cups of uncooked Minute Rice, one can cream of mushroom soup, one can cream of chicken soup, and a can of water (just fill one of the empty soup cans). Stir until everything is nicely blended—the mixture will look thick, but the rice will soak up the liquid beautifully as it bakes.
Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
Pour the rice and soup mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer. Nestle the chicken breasts on top of the creamy mixture, making sure they’re evenly spaced so they cook evenly and look irresistible when serving.
Step 4: Add Flavor and Bake
Sprinkle the dry Lipton Onion Soup Mix evenly over the chicken breasts. Cover tightly with foil (this helps the rice cook through and keeps everything tender) and pop it into the oven. Bake for 1 to 1½ hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is perfectly fluffy. Let it stand for about five minutes before serving so the creamy sauce thickens up to perfection.
Pro Tips for Making Lazy Day Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole
- Even Chicken Thickness: If your chicken breasts are especially thick, consider slicing them in half so they cook through at the same time as the rice.
- Let It Rest: Rest the casserole, covered, for 5–10 minutes after baking—this helps set the creamy texture and makes serving a breeze.
- Foil Is Your Friend: Keep the pan tightly covered until the very end to prevent dry rice and guarantee juicy chicken every time.
- Butter Boost: For extra flavor, pop a few small dots of butter on top of the chicken before baking for a subtle, golden finish.
How to Serve Lazy Day Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley or sliced green onions adds beautiful color and a hint of freshness to each serving of Lazy Day Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole. For even bolder flavor, try a dusting of smoked paprika or a crack of black pepper right before serving.
Side Dishes
This casserole is hearty on its own, but I love pairing it with a crisp green salad tossed in vinaigrette, steamed broccoli, or sweet buttered corn. Soft dinner rolls and a side of cranberry sauce are also unexpectedly delightful companions!
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the casserole family-style right from the baking dish for cozy, rustic charm, or scoop portions into individual ramekins for a fun dinner-party twist. For potlucks, bring it in a slow cooker to keep it warm and creamy until the very last scoop!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To store leftovers, simply let the casserole cool to room temperature, then cover tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container. It keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days, staying wonderfully creamy and flavorful for quick lunches or dinners.
Freezing
You can freeze portions of Lazy Day Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole! Once cooled, scoop servings into freezer-safe containers. It’s best eaten within 2 months for top-notch flavor—thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, cover the casserole with foil and warm it in a 325°F oven until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. For individual servings, use the microwave with a splash of water or broth to revive that creamy, just-baked texture.
FAQs
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Can I use regular long-grain rice instead of Minute Rice?
For this Lazy Day Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole, Minute Rice is best because it cooks quickly and evenly in the oven. Regular long-grain rice would require much more liquid and a longer bake time, and results may not be as creamy. Stick with instant rice for foolproof results!
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What can I use instead of Lipton Onion Soup Mix?
If you don’t have the soup mix, you can substitute it with a blend of dried onion flakes, a bouillon cube, a little garlic powder, and a pinch of parsley and paprika. While the signature flavor will be slightly different, it still adds a great savory punch!
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Can I add raw vegetables directly to the casserole?
Absolutely! Chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, or a generous handful of frozen mixed vegetables are great add-ins. Just stir them into the rice mixture before adding the chicken—the veggies will cook perfectly alongside the other ingredients.
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How do I know when the chicken and rice are fully cooked?
The chicken breasts should reach an internal temperature of 165°F, and the rice should be tender without any firm bite. Typically, after 1 to 1½ hours of baking covered, both will finish cooking right at the same time—no peeking needed until the very end!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a no-stress, always-satisfying meal, the Lazy Day Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole is your new weeknight hero. I hope it becomes one of those cherished recipes you reach for whenever life gets busy and you crave something cozy. Gather your favorite people, serve it hot from the oven, and enjoy the simplest kind of comfort—straight from your own kitchen.
Print
Lazy Day Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Lazy Day Creamy Chicken & Rice Dinner Casserole is the perfect comforting meal for a hectic day. Creamy, flavorful, and easy to make, this casserole is a family favorite.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups Minute Rice (white or brown)
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 can water (use one of the soup cans)
- 1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter.
- Mix rice and soups: In a bowl, combine rice, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and water. Pour mixture into the baking dish.
- Add chicken: Place chicken breasts on top and sprinkle with onion soup mix.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 1-1½ hours until chicken is cooked through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
