Easy Rice Crispy Chicken Casserole – Family Comfort Classic
Easy Rice Crispy Chicken Casserole (A Family Favorite for Busy Nights)
There are nights when dinner needs to be more about comfort than effort — when you’re walking in from a late soccer game, shoes kicked off at the door, and everyone’s asking “what’s for dinner?” before you’ve even set down your bag. That’s how this Easy Rice Crispy Chicken Casserole came to be — a quick, cozy dinner that always brings everyone to the table.
Some recipes just happen by accident — and this one’s been on repeat ever since.
After going through the pantry – Easy Rice Crispy Chicken Casserole became one of those last-minute meals that turned into a family tradition. It’s creamy, crunchy, and made from simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. The best part? It’s ready in about 45 minutes, start to finish. We were sitting down to a creamy, crunchy casserole that disappeared before I even got seconds. My family still laughs and calls it my “crunchy chicken magic,” and it’s become one of those recipes that quietly turns into a tradition — quick, filling, and crowd-pleasing every single time.
It’s not fancy — but it’s everything you want after a long day. Warm, filling, and familiar.
It’s perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sunday dinners when you want something warm and familiar without a lot of fuss.
Why This Recipe Works
This Easy Rice Crispy Chicken Casserole works because it combines creamy texture and crunchy topping — pure comfort in a single dish.
- Creamy filling that doesn’t dry out: The mix of soup and sour cream keeps the casserole soft and smooth all the way through — no dry chicken or soggy rice.
- Crispy topping with real texture: The crushed rice crispy creates a light butter crunch that’s better than breadcrumbs and stays crisp even after baking.
- Quick, family-tested prep: Every step uses pantry staples, and you can assemble it in about 10 minutes. Perfect for nights when you’re short on time but still want something homemade.
- Versatile base recipe: Swap the soup flavor, change the meat, or add veggies — it always works.
If you’ve never tried using Rice Krispies for casserole topping, this easy rice crispy chicken casserole will change your mind. his easy rice crispy chicken casserole has become one of my family’s go-to meals because it checks every box: quick, cozy, and budget-friendly.
Why Families Love It
- It turns basic ingredients into comfort food magic.
- There’s no chopping, marinating, or complicated steps.
- Kids love the crispy top — and adults love that it reheats beautifully for lunch.
- It’s a perfect bring-to-a-friend or “take to the team dinner” meal.
Tools I Use
DISCLAIMER: This page contains affiliate links. Purchases made through such links will reward me a small commission at no extra cost for you. I always have my readers’ best interest at heart. Also, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See our disclosure here.
- Baking Dish (9×13) – perfect size for this casserole.
- Mixing Bowls – large enough to toss everything together easily.
- Measuring Cups – keeps the portions just right.
- Measuring Spoons Set – keeps the portions just right.
- Silicone Spatula Set – makes spreading that creamy filling smooth.
- Oven Mitts – because this one comes out hot and bubbly!
- Immersion Blender: Makes blending the homemade mayonnaise quick and mess-free.
- Wide-Mouth Mason Jars: Great for mixing and storing (homemade mayonnaise).
- Citrus Juicer: Handy for fresh lemon juice in small batches (homemade mayonnaise).
These items and others can be found on my Resources page.
Once you’ve got your tools ready, let’s pull everything together — this Easy Rice Crispy Chicken Casserole comes together in just a few simple steps.
Rice Crispy Chicken Casserole
Equipment
- 2 mixing bowls large and medium sized
Ingredients
- 3 cups chicken – this is about 2-3 chicken breasts cooked, cut into cubes or bite sized chunks
- 3 cups instant minute rice uncooked
- 3 cans cans cream of chicken soup 14oz sized cans
- 3 cups celery diced about 8 or 9 large stalks
- ½ cup corn canned, frozen or fresh off the cob
- ½ cup peas canned or frozen
- ½ cup carrots canned, frozen or fresh diced
- 1 cup mayonnaise store bought or homemade See posting for homemade mayonnaise.
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 3 cups rice crispy cereal
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Other seasonings of choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- To prepare chicken – Thawed chicken is recommended. Rinse and dry chicken.
- Cut chicken into bite sized pieces.
- Add chicken to pot, cover with water and cook
- Cooked chicken when boiled its appears as an off-white/beige color
- Drain cooked chicken and rinse. Set aside in preparation for chicken mixture
- In medium sized bowl, blend cream of chicken soup and mayonnaise along with salt, pepper and garlic powder together
- In larger sized bowl, mix chicken, rice, celery, peas, corn, carrots and onion (this is the time when you would want to add your vegetables of choice)
- Pour cream of chicken soup and mayonnaise mixture over ingredients in larger bowl and mix well.
- Place combined mixture into 9×13 ungreased baking pan
- Top with 2 cups of or more rice crispy cereal
- Drizzle 4 tbsp of melted butter over the top
- Bake in oven for 40 minutes at 350 ℉.
- Serve by itself or with a salad
Notes
Tips & Variations
- Try adding bell peppers, broccoli, peas or carrots for extra color and nutrition.
- Substitute or add paprika or Italian seasonings for a different flavor.
- If you note have 3 cans of cream of chicken on hand, you can use cream of mushroom. It’s just a slightly different flavor, a bit creamier and just as tasty.
- Serve with side salad for a delicious complete meal.
FAQ
Can I use homemade mayonnaise in this recipe? Yes, you can. I recommend it. How do you store leftovers? Leftovers can be stored in a covered container for up to 3 days. This keeps well and reheats just as well.Love cozy recipes and simple living tips?
Subscribe to my My Tasteful Threads newsletter — plus monthly inspiration for home, food, and creative projects.
Serving Ideas for Easy Rice Crispy Chicken Casserole
This casserole is hearty enough to stand alone, but it pairs beautifully with light, simple sides. Try one of these combinations to make dinner feel complete:
- Fresh salad or slaw – a crisp green salad with ranch dressing balances the creamy casserole.
- Steamed vegetables – broccoli, green beans, or peas add color and nutrition without extra work.
- Garlic bread or dinner rolls – perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce.
- Sweet ending – finish the meal with something simple like chocolate pudding or sliced fruit.
If you’re serving a crowd, double the recipe and bake it in two dishes — this easy rice crispy chicken casserole always disappears fast!
Meals like this remind me why I started using my Plan My Day Checklist in the first place — because when life gets hectic, a little structure keeps everything running smoothly. It’s the reason dinner still happens, even after soccer practice.
Closing Thoughts
If you enjoy homemade staples like this, you might also love my How to Make Vegetable Soup Using Leftover Vegetables — another cozy kitchen favorite that’s all about using what you have on hand. How about my recipe for Polish Kielbasa – it’s another favorite in my house and will be in yours!
This Easy Rice Crispy Chicken Casserole proves that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s creamy, crunchy, and full of that homemade flavor families love — the kind of meal that feels like a hug after a long day. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a cozy Sunday dinner, this easy rice crispy chicken casserole will always have a place at the table.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Mary Ann!
I share easy, cozy recipes inspired by family traditions and simple, home-cooked comfort. Grab a cup of coffee and stay awhile — you’ll always find something warm and delicious here on My Tasteful Threads.
Love cozy recipes and simple living tips?
Subscribe to My Tasteful Threads newsletter and get my free Plan My Day Checklist — plus monthly inspiration for home, food, and creative projects.
I love an easy casserole recipe—especially one the whole family enjoys! It’s always nice to have a go-to meal for those busy nights when you still want something warm and comforting. Can’t wait to try this Rice Crispy Chicken version—it sounds delicious!
Let me know how your family likes it!