Introduction

This French Onion Chicken Rice Bake combines tender chicken, savory soups, and crispy fried onions into a creamy, comforting casserole. It’s a simple, hearty meal perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners. Using readily available ingredients, this dish delivers impressive flavor with minimal effort.

The dish is a creamy baked rice with a generous layer of melted cheese that stretches as a golden spoon lifts a portion. The base layer is soft, white rice mixed in a thick, creamy sauce, speckled with finely chopped green herbs. On top, there is a thick, crispy layer of fried onions, golden brown with some darker edges giving a crunchy texture contrast. The cheese is melted perfectly, creating strings that pull upward, connecting the lifted portion to the rest of the dish in a white bowl sitting on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups cooked white rice (prepared in advance or day-old rice)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken recommended)
10.5 oz cream of chicken soup (1 can)
10.5 oz French onion soup (1 can)
1 cup sour cream (full-fat recommended)
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese (or a combination)
1.5 cups French fried onions (1 cup for mixing, 0.5 cup for topping)
0.5 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp onion powder
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, French onion soup, sour cream, shredded cheese, 1 cup of French fried onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly for about 2 minutes until the mixture is creamy and well blended.
Step 3: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula, pushing into the corners.
Step 4: Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until bubbly around the edges and the top looks set and no longer glossy or liquid.
Step 5: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cup of French fried onions evenly on top. Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until the onions turn golden brown and crispy. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Step 6: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot for the best flavor and texture.

Tips & Variations

For extra creaminess, stir in 2–3 tablespoons of milk if the mixture seems dry before baking.
Use a combination of mozzarella and Swiss cheese for richer flavor and texture.
Assemble the casserole a day ahead and refrigerate before baking; just add 5–10 extra minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.
Swap the chicken for turkey or cooked ground beef for a different protein twist.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake at 350°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If the casserole feels dry after reheating, adding a splash of milk can help restore creaminess.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a creamy, cheesy rice casserole being lifted by a gold spoon held by a woman's hand, showing smooth melted cheese strings stretching upwards from the dish; the casserole has a rich white sauce mixed with soft, white rice and is sprinkled with chopped green herbs throughout. The top layer is covered in crispy, golden-brown fried onions with a crunchy texture, adding a deep amber contrast to the creamy rice underneath. The round white bowl holding the casserole sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh onions instead of French onion soup?

Fresh onions can add flavor, but French onion soup provides a unique savory depth and seasoning that is essential to this dish’s classic taste. If substituting, sauté the onions until caramelized and adjust seasoning accordingly.

What can I use if I don’t have French fried onions?

You can substitute with crushed crispy fried shallots or crispy fried garlic for a similar texture and flavor, though the taste will vary slightly.