This French Onion Chicken Rice Casserole is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for any weeknight dinner. Made with tender chicken, rice, and full of onions, this casserole is packed with flavor and will leave your family wanting more!
Jump to:
- What makes this recipe irresistible
- What you’ll need: ingredients
- Step-by-step instructions
- Watch and learn: recipe video
- Essential tools for this recipe
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
- Deb’s tips for the perfect dish
- Creative variations to try
- How to store leftovers
- Repurpose your leftovers
- More recipes you’ll love
- Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- French Onion Chicken Rice Casserole
What makes this recipe irresistible
This easy recipe is hearty, comforting, and full of delicious onion flavor. What more could you want from a great dinner?
Plus, the oven does most of the work, which is always a win in my book!
What you’ll need: ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- Rice-A-Roni - You can use chicken or beef. I like to use chicken for this recipe.
- You can use any cooked chicken or leftover turkey in this recipe. A rotisserie chicken works great for this.
Step-by-step instructions
This is an overview; for detailed instructions, scroll down to the bottom!
#1 Saute the Rice-A-Roni and onion in butter.
#2 Cook until golden brown.
#3 Add the rice, water, canned soups, chicken, seasoning and sour cream to a mixing bowl.
#4 Mix until well combined.
#5 Spoon the chicken mixture into a prepared baking dish.
#6 Top with cheese, seal with foil and bake as directed.
#7 Remove from the oven when the casserole is hot & bubbly.
#8 Top the casserole with fried onions and return to the oven.
Watch and learn: recipe video
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Essential tools for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
I've found that sweet onions or yellow onions will give you the best flavor for this casserole.
Yes, prep the dish, top with cheese and bake. Remove and allow to cool completely. When you're ready to finish the dish, add the fried onions and bake until hot and bubbly.
Deb’s tips for the perfect dish
One thing I realized while I was testing this recipe, is that in order for the rice to get soft and tender, don't open the aluminum foil and let the steam out. So, resist the urge to peek while it's baking. Don't worry it's hard for me too!
- This casseorle is known to stick, so grease your casserole dish well with either nonstick cooking spray or butter to make clean-up a breeze.
- You can swap out the sour cream and onion soup mix, and use your favorite refrigerated onion dip instead. I like to use Dean's or Helluva Good if I'm not using the packet.
- If you find that your casserole is a little dry when you go to reheat it, you can add a splash of chicken broth or chicken stock to add some moisture.
Creative variations to try
- Want to add a little extra flavor to this recipe? Fully caramelize the onions before you add the rice to cook. Caramelized onions will give a great depth of flavor to this hearty casserole.
- Monterey jack and gruyere cheese are both great options to add to this casserole.
- Love garlic? Add a minced clove of fresh garlic to the rice in the last minute of cooking for a burst of garlic flavor.
If you’re into cozy casseroles like this one, you’ll probably love my Stovetop Chicken and Rice too. Both recipes have that warm, home-cooked vibe that makes dinnertime feel extra satisfying.
How to store leftovers
Refrigerate - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. If you manage to have leftovers that is.
Freezer - This casserole also freezes well, so feel free to make a double batch and freeze one for later. Just be sure to let it cool completely before storing it in the freezer. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheat - I've found the best way to reheat this casserole is in the oven. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also heat small portions in the microwave on high for about 1-2 minutes.
Repurpose your leftovers
Since this casserole freezes so well, I like to portion our single servings into freezer-safe containers and freeze them for when I need a quick dinner for Dan and I and I don't have to time spend in the kitchen, It's such a great way to reduce food waste in your kitchen.
You can also turn your leftovers into a soup. I'd just recommend that you remove the fried onions first. Then add some broth, carrots, and celery to a stock pot, and add the leftover casserole for a twist on french onion chicken soup.
More recipes you’ll love
Chicken casseroles are always a favorite in our household. Not only are they super easy to make, but they also can feed a crowd! I've got a huge list of Easy Chicken Casserole Recipes, but I'm also adding a few of my favorites to make your meal planning easy.
Perfect pairings: what to serve with
This French onion chicken casserole is hearty and filling so I like to serve it with a light side dish like these Steamed Green Beans or a simple salad like this Outback Wedge Salad.
And, you can't forget dessert! This Cake Mix Peach Cobbler makes a great dessert after a hearty meal like this one.
Don't you just love casseroles? I know I sure do! I'd love to hear what you think about this recipe in the comments below!
French Onion Chicken Rice Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9x13 casserole dish
Ingredients
- 1 box Rice-A-Roni chicken or beef flavor
- ½ 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 ⅓ cups water
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese or Swiss
- ½ cup French fried onions
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper ½ teaspoon each
- Chopped fresh parsley optional garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish, set aside.
- In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Sauté the Rice-A-Roni (without seasoning) and diced onions until the rice is lightly golden, about 3-4 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sautéed Rice-A-Roni, seasoning packet from the box, shredded chicken, French onion soup, cream of chicken soup, water, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top.
- Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and tender.
- Remove the aluminum foil and sprinkle with French fried onions. Bake uncovered for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the onions are golden and crispy.
- Let the casserole sit for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if you like.
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