Name: Chicken and Rice Casserole
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 600 g Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs; ½ teaspoon Salt; ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper; 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder; 1 teaspoon Onion Powder; 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika; 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning; 4 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 1 Onion; 4 Garlic Cloves; 60 ml Dry Sherry; 375 ml Chicken Stock; 180 ml Heavy Cream; 200 g Long Grain White Rice (Basmati Rice); 1 teaspoon Salt; 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning; 1 tablespoon Poultry Seasoning (Old Bay Chicken Seasoning); 1 teaspoon Paprika; Parsley

Chicken and Rice Casserole is a dinner favorite, packed with juicy chicken thighs and tender rice in a rich, creamy sauce. It’s simple, comforting, and full of flavor, made entirely from scratch without canned soup. Perfect for busy nights, this meal is both easy and satisfying.

Recipe

I love this version because it uses a flavorful sherry-wine-infused broth with cream to cook the rice, giving it a rich, comforting texture without being too heavy. The chicken thighs bring that perfect juiciness, making each bite so satisfying. It’s such a simple way to really let all the ingredients come together and shine.

This is the kind of meal that fills the house with delicious smells and brings everyone to the table. The rice turns out creamy but not heavy, and the chicken stays perfectly tender. It’s a true comfort food classic, easy, satisfying, and always a hit!

Jump to:

⭐Why You'll Love This Chicken and Rice Casserole
🧾Chicken and Rice Casserole Ingredients
👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Chicken and Rice Casserole
🍽 What to Serve with Chicken and Rice Casserole
💭Tips for Recipe Success
🍗More Chicken Recipes to Try!
🍛More Dinner Recipes!
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

⭐Why You'll Love This Chicken and Rice Casserole

It’s Easy: No tricky steps, no fancy techniques, just a reliable, delicious dish that turns out great every time.
Creamy but Not Heavy: The bit of cream in the broth gives the rice a silky texture without making it overly rich. It’s just the right balance of cozy and light.
Perfect for Any Day: Whether you need a simple weeknight dinner or a meal to feed family and friends, this casserole works. It’s hearty, filling, and always a crowd-pleaser.

🧾Chicken and Rice Casserole Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this Chicken and Rice Casserole recipe:

Chicken Thighs: I love using boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They stay juicy and tender while baking, so every bite is so satisfying and full of flavor.
Salt & Black Pepper: These are my go-to for bringing out all the other flavors. They make everything taste just right without standing out too much.
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: I use these because they add a savory taste without all the chopping. As a result, they give the chicken that cozy, comforting flavor that makes it feel like home.
Smoked Paprika: This gives the dish a warm, smoky flavor, which elevates it and takes it up a notch. Moreover, it’s perfect for making the chicken and casserole feel extra special.
Italian Seasoning: I use this simple mix of herbs to add a little Italian flair. It’s the perfect way to bring a little herby goodness to the dish.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil helps sear the chicken and cook the onions and garlic. Additionally, it adds a bit of richness and helps everything come together nicely in the pan.
Onion & Garlic: These are the heart of the flavor, and the sweetness of the onion along with the depth of the garlic work together to make the casserole feel warm and homemade.
Dry Sherry: It adds a subtle, nutty depth to the sauce and helps lift the flavor from the pan. It’s one of my secret ingredients for extra richness.
Chicken Stock: Using chicken stock instead of water to cook the rice makes every bite so flavorful. It’s what gives the rice that comforting, savory taste.
Heavy Cream: A little heavy cream helps the rice stays creamy and smooth without being too rich. It brings everything together in the most comforting way.
Long-Grain White Rice: I go for long-grain white rice because it cooks evenly and absorbs all the flavors perfectly, giving the casserole a nice, fluffy texture.
Old Bay Seasoning: This blend of herbs like sage and thyme really boosts the chicken’s flavor, making the whole dish taste even better.
Paprika: It adds a warm color and just a little kick, making the casserole look as delicious as it tastes.
Parsley: A sprinkle of parsley at the end gives the dish a fresh pop of color and makes it feel light and refreshing.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Chicken and Rice Casserole

These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.

1. In a bowl, toss the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning until well coated.

2. Heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes, turning to brown all sides. Remove and set aside.

3. Add the rest of the olive oil to the skillet. Sauté the onion for 4 minutes until soft, then add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

4. Pour in the dry sherry, scraping up any browned bits, and cook for 1–2 minutes until slightly reduced. Stir in the chicken stock, salt, seasonings, and paprika, then simmer briefly before removing from heat.

5. Stir in the heavy cream until blended.

6. Evenly spread the rice in the casserole dish, then pour the stock over it and stir gently.

7. Place the seared chicken over the rice. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes, then uncover and bake for 5 minutes or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

8. Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes, then fluff the rice with a fork. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

🍽 What to Serve with Chicken and Rice Casserole

I love serving my Chicken and Rice Casserole with a fresh tomato burrata salad. The creamy burrata pairs beautifully with the juicy tomatoes, offering a rich, savory contrast to the creamy casserole. I always add a warm piece of garlic bread or crusty ciabatta on the side. To finish the meal, I love a light dessert like lemon mousse. It’s refreshing and the perfect sweet touch after the savory casserole.

💭Tips for Recipe Success

Sear the Chicken First: This is something I never skip. Searing the chicken is essential because it adds a nice golden color and deep flavor, which really makes the casserole stand out. In fact, it's one of those small steps that truly elevates the dish. While it may take a little extra time, it’s definitely worth it for the depth of flavor it brings to the entire meal.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When I’m searing the chicken, I like to do it in batches. If you put too much chicken in the pan at once, it won’t brown properly. Searing it in batches gives it that nice crispy texture.

Use Chicken Stock Instead of Water: I always cook the rice in chicken stock. It makes the rice so much more flavorful and really ties everything together. If you use water, it just won’t have the same rich taste.

Let It Rest After Baking: I always let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes after it comes out of the oven. This step is crucial because it allows the rice to fluff up, creating a light and perfect texture. Additionally, it gives everything a chance to settle in, ensuring the flavors meld together beautifully. Trust me, it really makes a difference!

Storage: I like to store any leftover chicken and rice casserole in an airtight container in the fridge. This helps keep it fresh, and it usually stays good for about 3 days. Additionally, if I have more leftovers, I find that reheating it in the oven brings back its delicious flavor and texture, making it almost as good as when it was first made.