If you’re craving a creamy and indulgent chicken casserole, then this cheesy chicken and rice casserole is a must-try! Made with juicy chicken, fluffy rice and lots of cheese, it’s a family favorite!

Growing up my mom made, and still does make, the best casseroles. I don’t care that it’s 2025 and people are worried more about kale pureed into overnight oats, casseroles feel like home and I’m always a fan of an easy chicken and rice recipe for dinner. We call this one angel chicken casserole in our house and it’s based off of two recipes, the crockpot chicken and rice recipe and Mom’s famous Busy Day Casserole recipe.

Typical angel chicken is a creamy sauce with chicken served over angel hair pasta, but I decided to transform the flavorful saucy chicken into a casserole by combining it with rice. It is total comfort food and full of delicious homey flavors! It’s called “angel chicken” for a reason…it tastes like heaven!

Ingredients for Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

If you have some leftover chicken or bought a rotisserie chicken at Costco but aren’t sure how to use it, this recipe is a great option. You only need a few pantry staples to make this hearty and irresistible casserole recipe:

• Cream Cheese: I recommend using full fat or possibly 1/3 less fat but avoid fat free for the best texture and flavor.
• Butter: adds richness and flavor
• Cooked Chicken: diced or shredded (I use rotisserie from Costco)
• Cooked Rice: I use 1/3 wild rice and the rest white rice.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: I use my homemade recipe, but feel free to use a can of condensed soup if you want.
  • NOTE: You can swap for cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup if needed.
• Garlic: adds flavor
• Good Seasons Dry Italian Dressing Mix: You can find this at the grocery store on the salad dressing aisle next to the other salad dressing packets.
• Chicken Broth: helps keep the casserole moist as it bakes
• Colby Jack Cheese: Some goes in the casserole and the rest gets sprinkled on top for extra cheesiness.
• Salt and Pepper: adds flavor
• Fresh Parsley: Don’t skip this! This is a creamy, cheesy and rich dish and the parsley adds the tiniest bit of brightness I think the casserole needs.

The measurements needed for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Chicken and Rice Casserole

Casseroles sometimes get a bad wrap, but this chicken rice casserole recipe will make a casserole lover out of anyone! I guarantee it! It’s so easy to make too. Here are the basic steps:

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9×13” casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. Whisk: Add the cream cheese and butter in a small bowl and whisk together to combine.
3. Combine: In a large mixing bowl, add all the ingredients (saving half the cheese the fresh parsley for later) and stir until combined.
4. Bake: Transfer the chicken and rice mixture into the prepared casserole pan and top with the remaining shredded cheese. Spray a piece of aluminum foil with nonstick spray and cover the dish. Bake for 25 minutes, removing the foil halfway through baking.
5. Serve: Remove the oven and let the casserole sit for a few minutes. Sprinkle with the fresh parsley and serve!

All the instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the end of the post where you can print or save the recipe.

Variations

Casseroles are so easy to customize and this chicken casserole recipe is a great one to augment with vegetables or other add-ins. You could add peas, carrots, green beans, broccoli florets or mushrooms and it would be delicious!

You can also swap out the cheese for different cheeses. Swiss cheese, monterey jack or pepper jack would all be super tasty.

Tips for Making Angel Chicken Rice Casserole

Before you get started, make sure the chicken and rice are both cooked already. If you put the chicken in raw or the rice uncooked, neither will cook completely.

The butter and cream cheese both need to be at room temperature before adding them to the recipe so that they are smooth and creamy.

The Italian seasoning packet should be added to the recipe dry, just the powder. Do not make the Italian dressing before adding.

This is a great option for using up leftover chicken whether it’s grilled chicken or slow cooker whole chicken, any cooked chicken will work great! Chicken breasts and chicken thighs can both be used.

You can also use any rice you want. Brown rice, wild rice, white rice, etc. all will taste delicious! Just make sure it isn’t instant rice.

What to Serve with Chicken Casserole

I always like to balance out a rich and heavy casserole with a couple of light side dishes. A salad or vegetable side dish are both great options. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Tomato Cucumber Salad
• Spinach Berry Salad
• Broccoli Salad
• Roasted Veggies
• Grilled Vegetables
• Air Fryer Crispy Broccoli

Storing, Freezing and Reheating

Leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They will keep for 4-5 days. This casserole is also a great freezer meal option. Let it cool completely and then place in a freezer-safe container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can also freeze it before baking, which I actually recommend, just don’t add the cheese on top until right before baking.

To reheat it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat it in a baking dish covered with foil in the oven preheated to 300 degrees F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. If you’re just reheating a single serving, I just zap it in the microwave. It makes delicious leftovers!

This creamy and delicious casserole is the perfect comfort food for any night of the week. Packed with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and gooey cheese, this angel chicken and rice casserole is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Video for How to Make Cream Cheese Chicken and Rice Casserole

More Comforting Casseroles to Try:

• Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
• Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
• Creamy Zucchini Sausage Casserole
• Cheesy Ham Potato Bacon Casserole
• Teriyaki Beef Casserole
• Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole