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Chicken and Rice Casserole

Chicken and Rice Casserole is made with vegan chicken, leftover rice, tender and covered in the most amazing and creamiest sauce with so much flavor. This dish dinner is great for weeknights and perfect for company. Friends, this is truly the most delicious casserole recipe you can make and you will come back to it over and over again.

A portion of the Chicken and Rice Casserole on a small plate in front of the casserole dish.

If you grew up with Chicken and Rice Casserole, you will have great memories about this recipe that I’m sure has a special place in your heart.

I can tell you if you are looking to switch things up, you came to the right place, because I got you covered with a really fresh version that will be equally delicious and fascinating like the classic one that you know.

Ingredients needed for making the Chicken and Rice Casserole are assembled in small bowls on a wooden board.

Do you put uncooked rice in a casserole?

I know some will say that you absolutely can. But I like to use leftover rice. Perfectly cooked with just the right texture I have it ready and it goes so easy in the casserole.

Cooking uncooked rice in a casserole takes around 60 minutes, therefore I can save a good amount of time with my leftover rice.

This is why I always cook a larger amount of rice and then I enjoy it in many dishes like my Lemon Rice, Korean Rice, or Taco Rice.

You see this a really versatile ingredient that tastes always great in many dishes.

Side by side view of a pan in which vegan chicken, onions and bell pepper are fried, and later peas are added.

What you need for this Chicken and Rice Casserole recipe

You won’t need any canned sauces, because you make the whole Chicken and Rice Casserole from scratch with simple ingredients like olive oil and leftover rice

Besides that nothing is complicated and you will need the following:

Of course, there has to be vegan chicken: that is truly the star of the show. It adds protein, texture and meatiness. I make chicken bites, so I chop everything roughly. It doesn’t need to be perfect because I really want to have them bite sized.

Two views of a large mixing bowl with all ingredients of the Chicken and Rice Casserole, before and after mixing.

Ingredients for the filling

Peas and bell pepper are the two vegetables which add freshness. Especially, I use a red bell pepper for a great color contrast like a rainbow.

Potato chips and French fried onions: You can imagine I’m a big fan of potato chips and I love them in casseroles like my Broccoli Bake or the Rice Dish.

For this Chicken and Rice Casserole, I combined them with French fried onions which I always love.

Side by side view of the casserole dish before and after baking.

Sauce and toppings

For the sauce I use oat milk and mayo: you mix them together and that is all. The result is rich, creamy and delicious.

Vegan parmesan and mozzarella: while the parmesan is hearty, cheesy and so flavorful, it would only be half as amazing without parmesan. The two just belong together like butter and bread.

For the seasonings: I use garlic, onion powder and smoked paprika. This is a mix that you might know from chicken seasoning these all make everything so wonderful and flavorful. For me these are the flavors that are on point. Garlic and onion powder are essential flavor seasonings that are found in almost any casserole. Smoked paprika is a highlight that has all the flavors you know from paprika, but with the addition of a smoky touch.

View of the baked Chicken and Rice Casserole with the crunchy topping made from potato chips.

How to make Chicken and Rice Casserole

Preheat your oven to 410F and set a 10×10 greased casserole ready (I use a little bit of olive oil for greasing).

Quick prep:

In a skillet, heat olive oil. Add chicken and bell pepper and cook both for 3 minutes. Next, also mix in the peas and cook for 2 minutes more.

Mix the ingredients

Use a large bowl and add the chicken mix from the skillet, the cooked rice, garlic and onion powder, smoked paprika, all of the French Fried onions, and 3/4 of the potato chips (reserve the rest for the topping).

Also mix in all of the parmesan and 3/4 of the mozzarella (we will need the remaining 1/4 for the topping). Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. 

Top view on the baking dish with the ready casserole.

Assembling the casserole

Transfer everything from the mixing bowl into the casserole. Mix remaining potato chips and mozzarella and sprinkle over the casserole.

Bake for 20 minutes. When done, wait for at least 5 minutes before serving the Chicken and Rice Casserole.

Note: If you need to cook your rice fresh, 1,5 cups uncooked rice will do the trick. Cook according to the package directions.

Collage of two pictures of the Chicken and Rice Casserole with recipe title text.

Try and bake this easy Chicken and Rice Casserole and show me your remakes on Instagram or Facebook.

Enjoy, Florian.

Top view on the baking dish with the ready casserole.

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Chicken and Rice Casserole is made with vegan chicken, leftover rice, tender and covered in the most amazing and creamiest sauce with so much flavor. This dish dinner is great for weeknights and perfect for company.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups rice, cooked
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • 12 oz vegan chicken
  • 1 cup peas
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup French fried onions
  • 4 oz potato chips
  • 14 oz vegan mayo
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 5 oz vegan mozzarella
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1.5 cup oat milk
  • 3/4 cup vegan parmesan
  • salt, pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 410F get a 10x10 inch casserole ready. Grease it with olive oil. Ingredients needed for making the Chicken and Rice Casserole are assembled in small bowls on a wooden board.

For your quick preparation

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan. Cook chicken and bell peppers for around 3 minutes, then add peas and cook for 2 minutes more.Side by side view of a pan in which vegan chicken, onions and bell pepper are fried, and later peas are added.

Mix ingredients

  1. In a large mixing bowl, add rice, milk, mayo, all of parmesan, 3/4 of the potato chips and mozzarella (reserve rest for the topping).
  2. Also mix in all of the French fried onions, garlic, onion powder, smoked paprika, and of course the chicken mix from the pan.
  3. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.Two views of a large mixing bowl with all ingredients of the Chicken and Rice Casserole, before and after mixing.

Assembling and baking

  1. Transfer everything from the mixing bowl to the prepared casserole dish.
  2. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and potato chips on top, bake for 20 minutes.Side by side view of the casserole dish before and after baking.

Notes

If you don't have any leftover rice: you will need 1.5 cups uncooked rice. Precook it according to the package directions.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 911Total Fat: 60gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 42gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 964mgCarbohydrates: 65gFiber: 4gSugar: 12gProtein: 29g
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