Easy Canned Chicken and Rice Casserole (15 Minute Pantry Dinner)

This hearty and easy-to-make Canned Chicken and Rice Casserole is the perfect comfort meal for busy weeknights. With only a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of preparation time, you can have a flavorful and healthy meal that’s sure to please the whole family! Are you ready to whip up a delicious dinner in no time?

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I can’t count how many times I’ve made this recipe, but it remains a staple in my household.

Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a lazy weekend, this dish comes through every single time.

It pairs well with other comfort foods like creamy mashed potatoes or a warm, buttery biscuit.

If you’re into quick and hearty meals, you might also want to check out my easy Ground Beef Stroganoff or my Million Dollar Spaghetti Alfredo.

We recommend using canned chicken to cut down on the cooking time, but feel free to use fresh chicken if you prefer.

Serve it with your favorite sides for a complete meal that will keep your family satisfied and coming back for more.

Chicken and Rice is a quick and easy meal that comes together in under 20 minutes.

I’m sharing all the keys to success that will make this one a family favorite.

If you’re looking for a delicious, easy recipe for dinner tonight, look no further.

This classic Chicken and Rice Casserole is sure to be a hit with the whole family!

It’s simple to make using Tyson canned chicken breast, American cheese, sour cream, and other ingredients.

We call this recipe “Chicken and Rice,” and it has been my son’s favorite meal for a long time since he was a little tot.

It’s perfect for kids who are picky eaters, but you can also spice it up to make it a more grown-up meal.

❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

There are so many reasons why this Canned Chicken and Rice Casserole stands out.

First, it’s incredibly fast to make – dinner can be ready in just 15 minutes!

Plus, it’s a great way to use pantry staples like canned chicken and instant rice.

The combination of gooey cheeses, tender chicken, and a touch of sour cream makes this dish irresistibly cozy.

And best of all, it’s highly customizable.

You can tweak the ingredients to suit what you have on hand or your family’s preferences.

If you like Nacho Cheese Doritos, you might like to try our easy Doritos Chicken Casserole recipe.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here’s what you’ll need to make this mouthwatering casserole:

• Water: For cooking the rice. You can use chicken broth for extra flavor.
• Instant white rice: Because it’s quick and easy, but you can use brown rice if preferred.
• Tyson Premium Chunk White Chicken Breast: Using canned chicken makes this recipe super convenient. You can also use leftover cooked chicken.
• Kraft Singles American Cheese Slices: Adds that creamy, melty texture. Feel free to experiment with different cheeses.
• Cheddar cheese, shredded: For a sharp, cheesy flavor. Monterey Jack or Mozzarella are good alternatives.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps the cheese melt smoothly.
• Sour cream: Gives the dish a slight tang and creamy texture. Greek yogurt is a healthier substitute.
• Salt and black pepper: To taste, essential for seasoning.

How to Make Chicken and Rice Casserole

Making this Canned Chicken and Rice Casserole is as easy as 1-2-3!

Here’s how to do it:

• In a medium-sized saucepan, bring water (or chicken broth) to a boil.
• Add instant rice. Cover and remove from heat. Let sit for 5 minutes while the water absorbs.
• Add butter and both kinds of cheese. Let sit covered for 2-3 minutes until the cheese starts to melt.
• Add chicken and stir well.
• Add sour cream, salt, and pepper. Stir until just combined.

🔑 Key to Success #1 – Use High Quality Canned Chicken

I know that cooking with canned chicken is considered uncool by a lot of people, but if you buy the right stuff, it’s really one of the greatest pantry staples.

The Tyson brand has all-white meat chicken in it, and I’ve never found anything unsavory in it.

You can pick up a can of chicken next time you’re at the grocery store because it has a long shelf life and doesn’t require refrigeration.

It’s super easy to pull out of the pantry when you need a quick meal on busy days.

We make several easy canned chicken recipes on repeat, such as our Chicken Cheese Ball recipe and our Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe.

And it’s great for quick lunches, such as our simple chicken salad recipe.

You’ll want to drain off the liquid in the can, but you don’t have to squeeze all the moisture out of it.

Just a quick drain will do it. Then use a fork or a spoon to break up the chunks of tender chicken while it is still in the can.

Tyson canned chicken breast is the perfect addition to this dish because it’s already cooked and flavored.

Not only does this save you time, but it also ensures that your casserole will have great flavor.

Plus, Tyson canned chicken has fewer calories than fresh or frozen chicken breasts, so you can feel good knowing that this dish is healthy as well as delicious!

If you have leftover chicken breast or rotisserie chicken on hand, you can certainly substitute any fully cooked chicken in this budget-friendly meal.

Using what you have is a great way to save money while still making delicious recipes for your family.

🔑 Key to Success #2 – Add American Cheese For Creaminess

Adding American cheese adds a nice creamy texture to the casserole.

Not only does it bring out the flavors of the other ingredients in the dish, but it also helps bind everything together.

Frequently, I use Kraft Singles American Cheese Slices in this Chicken and Rice recipe.

I know it sounds like an unusual ingredient for a casserole.

But I’m a big proponent of using what you have and not having to buy a handful of ingredients for a dish that you’ll only use infrequently.

What you have on hand is often the best thing to use when you’re working on a quick weeknight dinner.

And this goes doubly for an ingredient that needs to be refrigerated and the recipe only uses a little bit.

The American cheese melts wonderfully and adds a nice creaminess to the dish.

If you would prefer, you can use Velveeta cheese or cream cheese in place of the American cheese slices.

In addition to the American cheese, we’re also using cheddar cheese in this delicious hot dish.

Make sure you shred your cheese yourself instead of buying pre-shredded cheese since shredded cheeses often contain additives that can leave a bad aftertaste in your mouth.

Additionally, many pre-shredded kinds of cheese have a lower fat content than when you shred it yourself, which can negatively affect the flavor of your dish.

So go ahead and take the extra time to shred your cheese yourself! Your taste buds will thank you!

Many chicken and rice casseroles call for cream of mushroom soup, but my family doesn’t really like it and I don’t think it adds anything to the simple recipe.

🔑 Key to Success #3 – Sour Cream Adds a Kick

No chicken and rice casserole would be complete without a little bit of sour cream!

The sour cream adds an extra layer of flavor that really makes this dish stand out from all the rest.

You don’t need much.

Just half a cup should do the trick.

It will give your casserole just enough of a kick to make everyone at the table take notice!

But you can definitely add more sour cream if you want your Chicken and Rice Casserole to be creamier.

I think the sour cream really adds a nice, tangy kick to the dish and balances out the cheese very nicely.

Of course, you can certainly leave out the sour cream if it’s not your thing.

In addition, you can also add some Tabasco or other hot sauce if you want to spice things up.

The kids like their food without any hint of spice, so we will sometimes add Tabasco to our dinner at the table instead of adding it to the whole dish.

This is one of the best ways to customize quick meals when everyone in your family doesn’t like the same thing.

Recipe Variations

If you’re looking to make this dish even more delicious, consider topping it with some crispy fried onions or a sprinkle of smoked paprika.

You could also turn it into a bake by transferring it to a casserole dish, topping with breadcrumbs, and baking at 350°F until golden and bubbly.

Here are some other variations you might enjoy:

• Spicy Kick: Add some diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.
• Veggie Boost: Mix in some cooked broccoli, peas, or carrots for added veggies.
• Herb Flavor: Stir in fresh herbs like parsley or chives for an extra burst of flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enjoy making this delicious and easy Canned Chicken and Rice Casserole that’s sure to become a favorite in your home, just like it is in mine!

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