Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole with Italian Herbs and Colby Jack Cheese Recipe
This Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole is a comforting, cheesy dish featuring tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a rich blend of cream cheese, butter, and cream of chicken soup. Infused with garlic and Italian herbs, and topped with melted Colby Jack cheese, it’s perfect for a hearty family meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature, cubed
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature, cubed
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.7 ounce Italian dressing mix
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided use
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Soften the Cream Cheese and Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, soften the cream cheese and butter by microwaving them for 20-30 seconds. Whisk until smooth to ensure an even creamy texture throughout the casserole.
- Mix the Casserole Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cooked rice, softened butter and cream cheese mixture, cream of chicken soup, minced garlic, Italian dressing mix, chicken stock, half of the shredded Colby Jack cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the combined chicken and rice mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining shredded Colby Jack cheese over the top to create a cheesy crust as it bakes.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and the casserole is bubbling hot.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes before carefully removing the foil. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness, then serve warm.
Notes
- Use freshly cooked chicken and rice for best texture and flavor.
- Customize the cheese topping by substituting with mozzarella or cheddar if preferred.
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and soup.
- You can prepare this casserole a day ahead, assemble it, cover, and refrigerate, then bake just before serving, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Make sure to stir the cream cheese and butter well so there are no lumps in the casserole.
Keywords: chicken casserole, creamy chicken and rice, Italian herb casserole, cheesy casserole, comfort food
