Description
A comforting and creamy casserole combining savory chicken, cheesy rice, and a flavorful blend of cream cheese and sour cream, topped with melted colby jack cheese, perfect for an easy family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Chicken Mix
- 1 box chicken flavor Rice-A-Roni (plus ingredients called for on the box)
- 4 cups cooked chopped chicken (or 1 whole rotisserie chicken)
Creamy Sauce
- 1 (10.5-oz) can unsalted cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ (8-oz) package cream cheese, room temperature (4-oz)
- 1 (0.7-oz) Good Seasons Italian dressing mix
- 2 Tbsp butter, softened
Cheese Topping
- 2 cups shredded colby jack cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350º F to get it ready for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Rice-A-Roni: Cook the Rice-A-Roni according to the package directions, making sure it’s fluffy and flavorful.
- Mix Sauce and Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the unsalted cream of chicken soup, sour cream, room temperature cream cheese, Italian dressing mix, and softened butter. Stir until smooth. Add the cooked chopped chicken, the prepared rice, and ½ cup of shredded colby jack cheese. Mix everything together thoroughly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Assemble Casserole: Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread the rice mixture evenly inside. Sprinkle the remaining 1½ cups of shredded colby jack cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
Notes
- Using a rotisserie chicken saves time and adds flavor.
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to blend smoothly with other ingredients.
- Feel free to substitute colby jack cheese with cheddar or a cheese blend of your choice.
- Serve with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
