French Onion Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe
This comforting French Onion Chicken Rice Casserole combines savory sautéed rice, tender shredded chicken, creamy soups, and melted cheese, all baked to golden perfection with a crispy French fried onion topping. It's a hearty, easy-to-make dish perfect for weeknight dinners that serves a crowd.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 box Rice-A-Roni (chicken or beef flavor)
- 1/2 cup diced onions
- 1 tablespoon butter (for sautéing)
- 10.5 ounce French onion soup
- 10.5 ounce cream of chicken soup (for creaminess)
- 4 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1 1/3 cups water
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or Swiss)
- 1/2 cup French fried onions
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Optional Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and set it aside to prepare for baking.
- Sauté Rice and Onions: In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the Rice-A-Roni without the seasoning packet and the diced onions, sautéing until the rice is lightly golden and the onions soften, about 3-4 minutes.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sautéed rice and onions with the Rice-A-Roni seasoning packet, shredded chicken, French onion soup, cream of chicken soup, water, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is well combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour this mixture into your prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top of the mixture.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and tender.
- Add French Fried Onions: Carefully remove the foil, sprinkle the top of the casserole with the French fried onions, and bake uncovered for an additional 5-7 minutes until the onions turn golden brown and crispy.
- Rest and Garnish: Allow the casserole to sit for a few minutes to set. Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute rotisserie chicken with any cooked shredded chicken or turkey.
- For a lower-fat option, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
- If you prefer, Swiss cheese can be used instead of mozzarella for a different flavor.
- Make sure to cover the dish tightly with foil during the main baking phase to ensure the rice cooks properly and stays moist.
- The French fried onions add a nice crunchy texture, so don’t skip this step.
- This casserole can be assembled a day ahead, covered, and refrigerated before baking.
