Heavenly Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 smallrotisserie chicken
shredded
- 3 ccooked white rice
- ⅝ ozgood seasons zesty italian seasoning mix
- 1heaping tbsp minced garlic
- 10.5 ozcan of cream of chicken with herbs soup
- 2 cfreshly shredded colby jack
save about a ¼ cup for the top
- 5stalks of green onions)
sliced (save some for garnish
- 8 ozcream cheese
room temperature
- 1sticks salted butter
room temperature & divided
- 1sleeve of ritz crackers
32 crackers, crushed up
Directions
- 1
In a large bowl add shredded chicken, cooked rice, Italian seasoning mix, minced garlic, cream of chicken with herbs soup, shredded cheddar cheese (saving ¼ cup for the topping), and sliced green onions (saving some for garnish). Mix that all together until fully combined. Set aside.
- 2
In a microwave safe bowl or measuring cup, add in cream cheese and 1 stick of butter (4 tbsp). Microwave that for about 30 seconds until soft and slightly melty. Take it out and whisk it together until combined and creamy. Pour that butter cream cheese mixture into the bowl with the chicken rice mixture, and mix everything together until combined.
- 3
Transfer that creamy chicken mixture into a greased baking dish and smooth it out. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of shredded cheese evenly over the top. Set aside.
- 4
In a small microwave safe bowl or measuring cup, add in a ½ stick of butter (4 tbsp) and heat it in the microwave until melted. In another bowl add crushed up ritz crackers and pour that melted butter over the crushed crackers. Mix that together until combined. Sprinkle the buttery crushed crackers evenly over the top of the casserole.
- 5
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the oven at 375°F for 15 minutes. Once it's been 15 minutes uncover it and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Garnish it with the remaining green onions and Enjoy!
Heavenly Chicken and Rice Casserole
Similar Recipes
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Chicken-And-Wild-Rice-Casserole-beauty70429-0ddadda6031d4752918026baf56c5778.jpg)
Ratings & Reviews
Be the First to Rate
Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!
About this Recipe
Craving a comforting, hearty family dinner that tastes like a labor of love but comes together with surprising ease? This Heavenly Chicken and Rice Casserole is designed to be your new weeknight hero, delivering an angelic dish straight to your table.
What makes this chicken and rice casserole truly special is its clever blend of convenience and rich flavor. Starting with a shredded rotisserie chicken drastically cuts down on prep time, while the combination of creamy Campbell's soup, tangy cream cheese, savory Zesty Italian seasoning, and freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese creates a depth of flavor that's utterly irresistible. It’s the kind of home-cooked meal that tastes like it took all day, but only asks for a little of your time.
Prepare for a spoonful of pure comfort. Each bite of this creamy chicken and rice casserole offers tender, savory chicken nestled in a rich, velvety rice base, brightened by the mild bite of fresh green onions. The crowning glory is a buttery, crisp topping of crushed Ritz crackers, providing a delightful textural contrast to the soft interior. This dish is designed to be satisfying and fulfilling, making 10 generous servings perfect for feeding a crowd or ensuring delicious leftovers.
Customizing this Heavenly Chicken and Rice Casserole is simple. While rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut, feel free to use sauteed chunks of chicken breasts or boiled and shredded chicken breasts instead. For the cheese, while Colby Jack is specified, any good melting, freshly shredded cheese like cheddar or Monterey Jack would work beautifully. And if you’re looking to enhance the herby notes, a sprinkle of fresh parsley could be a lovely addition.
This dish is ideal for a cozy family dinner or as a hearty meal to bring to a potluck. Garnish with a few extra sliced green onions before serving for a pop of color and freshness.