Growing up, we had a lot of casseroles for dinner. It was one of the fastest, easiest and most inexpensive ways to feed a family. I danced and played other sports and had a high metabolism which was the perfect combination for needing to consume a lot of calories each day. Forget boys, I was a growing girl! *wink* As a mom now, I totally understand why my mom made casseroles as often as she did. I just don’t have time to slave over a meal that takes hours to prepare. The recipe I’m sharing today is perfect for an easy weekday dinner, a Sunday meal or when you need to feed a lot of people without spending a lot of money.
I first had chicken and rice casserole while over to dinner at my dad and step-mom’s house a couple of years ago. My step-mom is a great cook, but when she pulled this out of the oven, I was a little bit skeptical because it’s certainly not pretty. But hey, it’s chicken and rice, which I always like and know my kids will eat so we piled it on our plates and ate it all. Then went back for seconds. My husband might have even had thirds. A couple of days later, I texted my step-mom asking for the recipe and was surprised at how short the ingredient list was: 5. Five ingredients to make a tasty, filling meal.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom
- 3 lb. chicken breasts
- 1 pkg onion soup mix
- 2 c. Minute/instant rice
- 2 cans water
Okay, so it’s 6 ingredients, but who counts water?
To get started, you need to preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and get out a 9×13 pan and some tin foil. Next, remove the fat and cut your chicken into large chunks.
Open the cans of soup and pour them straight into the pan, along with the rice and water. Also, make sure you use minute/instant rice. The real stuff won’t cook all the way through. Stir it all together until thoroughly mixed.
Put the chicken in, spacing it throughout the pan as evenly as possible but don’t stress out about it.
Take your packet of onion soup mix and sprinkle it over the top of the chicken and rice/soup. Cover the pan with tin foil and pop it in the oven.
Start checking the chicken at about an hour and a half, but it could take up to 2 hours to cook through. Don’t go any longer than that, or you will end up with dry, overcooked chicken.
We usually serve this with salad or steamed veggies, fruit and rolls.
5 Ingredient Chicken and Rice Casserole
Makes (1) 9×13 pan, serves 6
Ingredients:
- 1 can cream of chicken
- 1 can cream of mushroom
- 3 lb chicken breasts
- 1 pkg onion soup mix
- 2 c. minute/instant rice
- 2 cans water
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and get out a 9×13 pan and some tin foil.
- Remove the fat and cut your chicken into large chunks.
- Open the cans of soup and pour them straight into the pan, along with the rice and water. (Make sure you use minute/instant rice. The real stuff won’t cook all the way through.) Stir it all together until thoroughly mixed. Put the chicken in, spacing it throughout the pan as evenly as possible.
- Sprinkle the onion soup mix over the top of the chicken and rice/soup. Cover the pan with tin foil and pop it in the oven.
- Start checking the chicken at about an hour and a half, but it could take up to 2 hours to cook through. (Don’t go any longer than that, or you will end up with dry, overcooked chicken.)
- Serve warm with salad, steamed veggies, fruit and rolls.
If you’re looking for another tasty chicken dish, check out my Parmesan Chicken!
20 Comments
I also grew up with a lot of casseroles at home! You did a great job with food photos and cooking directions – this looks quick for after work.
That looks so good!
That looks like a quick and easy dinner – just like I like it. Hehe
Thank you so much for sharing!
XO, Vanessa
My mom never really made casseroles, and I don't either, but this one sounds good!
This sounds like a really easy dinner to pop in the oven! Just add some veggies and you're done! 🙂
This looks so delish! Thanks for the recipe!
Sounds good! I love chicken and rice casserole, and Lipton Onion Soup mix is my secret ingredient in everything, it always adds so much flavor!
Thanks Trish! This is a good meal for any day of the week. Just make sure you plan for at least 1.5 hours for cooking time.
Thanks Dara!
Thanks for stopping by Vanessa! The prep is pretty quick, just make sure you leave enough time for it to cook–about 1.5 hours.
I hope you give it a shot! Let me know how you like it if you decide to try it out.
It's super easy and filling, plus it makes great leftovers.
Thanks Lindsey!
Thanks Justine! And seriously, so much goodness in one little packet!
What a perfect weeknight meal! I'm always looking for easy recipes to try. Thanks for sharing!
This looks nice and simple! Pinning!
We love simple and easy recipes, thanks for sharing!
You're welcome! I hope you give it a try and like it!
Super simple! The hardest part is waiting for it to cook. 😉
I just don't have time for anything that is really involved when it comes to meals so simple and easy are my go-to's for sure.