Comforting French Onion Chicken Rice Bake Recipe
This Comforting French Onion Chicken Rice Bake combines tender shredded chicken, creamy soups, and savory seasonings layered over a bed of cooked rice, all baked to bubbly perfection. Topped with crispy French fried onions and melted cheese, it’s an easy, family-friendly casserole that delivers rich flavors and satisfying textures in one dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked white rice (substitute with brown rice for nuttiness)
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey works well)
- 1 can cream of chicken soup (low-sodium or homemade alternatives)
- 1 can French onion soup
- 1 cup sour cream (dairy-free yogurt can be used)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (Mozzarella for milder taste, Swiss for nuttier flavor)
- 1 cup French fried onions (divided: ½ cup inside casserole, ½ cup for topping)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a large mixing bowl for combining the ingredients.
- Combine Ingredients: In the mixing bowl, stir together cooked white rice, shredded cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, French onion soup, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Add 1 cup of French fried onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and evenly spread the rice and chicken mixture inside.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, or until the edges start to bubble and the mixture is heated through.
- Add Topping: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of French fried onions evenly on top.
- Finish Baking: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes to crisp the topping.
- Garnish and Serve: Once done, remove from the oven, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked white rice with brown rice for additional fiber and a nuttier flavor.
- For a lower sodium version, opt for low-sodium canned soups or make your own cream of chicken and French onion soups.
- Dairy-free sour cream or yogurt can be used to make this recipe suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals.
- Mozzarella cheese offers a milder taste, while Swiss cheese gives a nuttier flavor; choose based on preference.
- Leftover turkey can be used instead of chicken for a tasty variation.
- The French fried onions provide a crunchy contrast; adding some inside the mix as well as on top enhances texture.
Keywords: French Onion Chicken Rice Bake, Chicken Casserole, Comfort Food, Easy Family Dinner, One-Dish Meal
