This dinner casserole brings back the warmth of my Southern family dinners but I make it with a twist that suits modern tastes. Perfect for busy weeknights, it requires minimal prep and delivers a creamy, flavorful meal.
Chicken and Rice Casserole For Easy Comfort Food Dinner
I grew up in the South eating chicken and rice. It’s a classic chicken casserole that was on our menu several times a month. I have put my own spin on this classic dish by adding coconut milk and switching plain white rice to aromatic jasmine rice.
No cream of soup is needed because the coconut milk creates a delicious creamy sauce instead. The combination of the chicken broth and savory herbs created a dish that even my picky eaters enjoyed.
For more main dish casseroles, you might also enjoy Creamy Loaded Baked Chicken Potato Casserole and Easy Chicken and French Onion Soup Casserole.
Ingredients Needed To Make This Recipe
When you make this chicken over rice, you will need a few basic pantry items, some simple herbs, and boneless, skinless chicken meat.
- Chicken: I used a combination of boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs. Be sure to cut them into even-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
- Rice: You can find jasmine rice next to classic white rice at your grocery store. Be sure to purchase whole grain, not instant jasmine rice. Instant will cook too fast and turn mushy before the chicken meat is cooked.
- Liquids: We are going to cook the rice and chicken using a combination of chicken broth and canned coconut milk. Be sure to get canned coconut milk, not coconut cream.
- Seasonings: The seasoning is a simple combination of fresh diced onions, basil, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, and salt and pepper.
📝 Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Chicken Over Rice Casserole
This is a very simple recipe that will only take you about 10 minutes to prep before baking.
Prepare Rice and Onions
- Evenly spread the jasmine rice across the bottom of the casserole dish. Sprinkle the diced onions over the rice.
Prepare Seasoning Mix
- In a small bowl, combine the basil, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Scoop out 2 teaspoons of this seasoning mixture and set it aside.
Prepare Cooking Sauce
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, chicken broth, and the remaining seasoning mix. Pour the liquid mixture over the rice and onions, making sure it covers everything evenly.
Add To Casserole
- Pour the sauce over the rice and onions
Add Chicken
- Gently place the chicken meat on top of the rice mixture, pressing them down slightly into the liquid.
Add Seasoning and Bake
- Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the exposed chicken with olive oil. Sprinkle the reserved seasoning mixture over the chicken.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake.
Gina’s Tips For Recipe Sucess
- Be sure to cut your chicken pieces into pieces of even size so they cook evenly.
- Cover the dish tightly with a lid or aluminum foil while baking so the casserole does not dry out.
Variation Ideas
- Meat: You can use just boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs instead of a combination. Another great option would be a boneless, skinless turkey breast cut into even-sized pieces.
- Rice: If you prefer, you could substitute white rice, basmati rice, or your favorite kind of rice.
- Vegetables: To get a serving of veggies into this casserole, add bite-size pieces of broccoli, mushrooms, or green beans when baking.
More Chicken Recipes
⚖️ Need a big batch to feed a crowd? You can easily change the number of servings in the recipe card below by tapping 2x or 3x. The ingredient measurements will automatically double or triple. You can then tap print and there you have it, a recipe for a crowd.
Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cups jasmine rice
- ½ cup onions, diced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 13 oz coconut milk, canned
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- 4 chicken thighs, boneless, skinless
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless – cut chicken breast to be the same size as the thighs to ensure even cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Sour cream, optional for serving
- Fresh parsley, optional for garnish
Instructions
Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Spread the jasmine rice evenly across the bottom of the casserole dish. Sprinkle the diced onions over the rice.2 cups jasmine rice, ½ cup onions
Make Seasoning Mix
- In a small bowl, combine the basil, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Scoop out 2 teaspoons of this seasoning mixture and set it aside.1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, 1½ teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
Mix Cooking Sauce
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, chicken broth, and the remaining seasoning mix. Pour the liquid mixture over the rice and onions, making sure it covers everything evenly.13 oz coconut milk, 1½ cups chicken broth
Add Chicken
- Gently place the chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture, pressing them down slightly into the liquid.4 chicken thighs, 2 chicken breasts
- Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the exposed chicken with olive oil. Sprinkle the reserved seasoning mixture over the chicken.1 tablespoon olive oil
Bake Casserole
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
- After 45 minutes remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to brown the chicken. *Note chicken should be at least 165 degrees before serving.
Serving
- Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Top with sour cream and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley for added flavor if desired.
Notes
- Be sure to cut your chicken pieces into pieces of even size so they cook evenly.
- Cover the dish tightly with a lid or aluminum foil while baking so the casserole does not dry out.
Quick and easy. Loved it!
Glad you enjoyed it!