Description
A comforting and hearty French Onion Chicken Rice Bake combining tender shredded chicken, creamy soups, melted cheese, and crispy French fried onions for a deliciously savory casserole perfect for an easy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole
- 3 cups cooked white rice (brown rice can be used for nuttiness)
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (leftover rotisserie chicken recommended)
- 1 can cream of chicken soup (low-sodium or homemade alternatives optional)
- 1 can French onion soup
- 1 cup sour cream (or plain dairy-free yogurt for dairy-free version)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese (Swiss for nuttiness, mozzarella for stretch)
- 1.5 cups French fried onions, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole evenly.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix the cooked rice, shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, French onion soup, and sour cream. Stir in the shredded cheese, 1 cup of French fried onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and transfer the creamy mixture into it, spreading evenly.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and cheese to melt.
- Add Crunchy Topping: Remove the dish after 30 minutes, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup French fried onions over the casserole, then bake for an additional 5 minutes to crisp the topping.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, let sit for a few minutes to set, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
- Assemble the casserole a day ahead for enhanced flavor; reheat gently to maintain a crispy topping.
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken to simplify preparation and add flavor.
- Substitute sour cream with plain dairy-free yogurt for a dairy-free adaptation.
- Adjust the amount of French fried onions to your preferred level of crunchiness.
- This dish pairs well with a fresh side salad to balance richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: French Onion Chicken, Rice Bake, Casserole, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner, Chicken Recipe, One Dish Meal
