Ready for a dish that tastes like a million bucks but takes minimal effort? This Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole is your answer! It’s an incredibly easy, cheesy, and satisfying chicken dish perfect for any night of the week. You get creamy comfort food with big flavor, all from simple ingredients. Get ready for a new family favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Casserole
This isn’t just any casserole; it’s a dream come true for busy home cooks!
- Fast Weeknight Dinner Solution: This dish comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy evenings.
- Ultimate Cheesy, Creamy Comfort Food: Every bite is packed with rich, savory, and incredibly comforting flavors. Delve into the fascinating reasons why certain dishes become cherished, offering more than just sustenance, by understanding the science behind comfort food.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: You likely have most of these pantry staples already, proving gourmet taste doesn’t require complexity.
- Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals: Assemble it ahead of time for even quicker baking when dinner time arrives.
- Freezer-Friendly Convenience: Prepare an extra batch and freeze it for future hassle-free meals.
Ingredients
Gather your simple ingredients to create this incredibly flavorful Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole. Each item plays a key role in building the dish’s signature creamy and cheesy goodness.
- 1 box chicken flavor Rice-A-Roni
- 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 4 cups cooked chopped chicken
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 (3-oz) can French fried onions
Notes & Substitutions
Using unsalted cream of chicken soup gives you better control over the final seasoning in your Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole. For the chicken, feel free to use a convenient store-bought rotisserie chicken, leftover cooked chicken, or even canned chicken for a super fast prep. If you want a lighter dairy option, swap the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt and the cottage cheese with ricotta cheese. Don’t have Rice-A-Roni? You can make your own by cooking 1 cup of white rice with ½ cup broken vermicelli pasta and 2 cups chicken broth. Remember to let your cream cheese soften to room temperature for at least 30 minutes; this ensures it blends smoothly without lumps.
Equipment
You won’t need many special tools for this easy casserole. Just grab these kitchen essentials:
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Spatula or large spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Oven
Instructions
Let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to bring your delicious Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole to life.
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. This prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
- Cook Rice-A-Roni: Prepare the chicken flavor Rice-A-Roni according to the package directions. This usually involves sautéing the rice and pasta mix, then simmering with water or broth until tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked Rice-A-Roni. Next, add the unsalted cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cottage cheese, and the softened cream cheese. Stir these creamy ingredients together until mostly smooth.
- Season and Add Chicken: Sprinkle in the onion powder and garlic powder, mixing well to distribute the seasonings evenly. Then, fold in the cooked, chopped chicken. Ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined for a consistent flavor in every bite of your Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the entire rice and chicken mixture evenly into your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Use a spatula to level the top.
- Add Toppings: Generously sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the rice mixture. Then, evenly spread the French fried onions across the top. These will get wonderfully crispy during baking.
- Bake: Place the uncovered baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the French fried onions on top are golden brown and crisp. For crucial food safety information, the CDC recommends cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), as detailed in their CDC guidelines for chicken safety.
- Serve: Carefully remove the Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole from the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and prevent it from being too hot.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
For the best Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole, ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature. This is crucial for a smooth, lump-free mixture. To prevent a dry casserole, avoid overbaking; pull it out once the edges are bubbly and the top is golden. If your French fried onions are browning too quickly, you can cover the casserole loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking, then remove for a final crisping. Always taste and adjust your seasoning before baking, adding more salt or pepper as needed. If cooking raw chicken from scratch, boil or bake it until it reaches 165°F (74°C) before chopping and adding to the mixture.
Serving, Storage & Variations
Serve your Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole with a simple side like steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or a fresh side salad with a light vinaigrette. For storage, let leftovers cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. To vary the recipe, add 1 cup of frozen chopped broccoli or peas directly to the mixture before baking. Experiment with different Rice-A-Roni flavors like savory herb or cheddar broccoli for unique twists on this classic comfort food.
Nutrition
We have not calculated the nutritional information for this recipe. If you require precise data, consider using an online nutritional calculator with the specific ingredients you use.
| Nutritional Information | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | N/A |
| Fat | N/A |
| Carbs | N/A |
| Protein | N/A |
FAQ
Can I make Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the casserole up to step 6, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake as directed, possibly adding 5-10 minutes to the bake time.
Can I freeze Million Dollar Chicken Casserole?
Yes, it freezes beautifully! Assemble and bake, then let cool completely. Wrap tightly or place in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months.
What kind of chicken is best for this recipe?
Cooked chicken is key. Rotisserie chicken, leftover baked chicken, or even canned chicken all work wonderfully for this dish.
Can I omit the cottage cheese?
While cottage cheese adds a lovely creamy texture and subtle tang, you can replace it with ricotta cheese or use an extra ½ cup of sour cream if you prefer.
What sides pair well with this casserole?
Steamed vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or a crisp side salad are perfect complements to balance the richness of this chicken casserole.
Conclusion
This Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole truly lives up to its name, delivering a deliciously rich and creamy meal with surprisingly little effort. It’s the perfect solution for a busy weeknight, offering maximum flavor and comfort without the fuss. Give this simple recipe a try tonight and watch it become a treasured family favorite. We’d love to hear your thoughts and see your creations, so share your pictures and comments below!
Million Dollar Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Prepare the Rice-A-Roni according to its package directions. Then, mix in the soup, sour cream, cottage cheese, cream cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, and cooked chicken.
- Spread the combined rice mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan, then top it with parmesan cheese and fried onions.
- Bake the casserole uncovered for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden.