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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Creamy Oven Baked Chicken And Rice With Bacon

    Creamy Oven Baked Chicken And Rice With Bacon

    Published: Oct 7, 2020 · Modified: Sep 29, 2020 by Lucy · This post may contain affiliate links · 26 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    A casserole dish filled with chicken, bacon and rice and the text overlay 'Creamy Chicken, Bacon & Rice Casserole'

    A delicious creamy casserole made with bacon, oven baked chicken and rice. The perfect family dinner that takes just 10 minutes to prepare (and always gets the tick of approval!).

    A casserole dish filled with spiced chicken, bacon and rice in a creamy sauce

    Why You're Going To LOVE This Dish

    This chicken, bacon and rice casserole has a LOT going for it:

    • quick and easy to prepare - it will take you just 10 minutes!
    • family-friendly - even the fussiest of kids will LOVE this dish
    • restaurant quality - the perfect combo of creamy comfort food with layers of streaky bacon, cajun chicken thighs (that are the ultimate in tenderness) and rice
    • no-fuss - place all of the ingredients into the baking dish, cover with foil and slow bake in the oven for 2 hours. A simple set and forget dish!
    • freezer-friendly - whether you're meal prepping or have leftovers, this recipe is perfect for freezing
    An overhead shot of an oval baking dish filled with baked spicy chicken thighs and creamy rice.

    Old Fashioned Baked Chicken and Rice

    A classic southern-style chicken casserole that is the ultimate creamy comfort food. Made just like in the 'good old days', this one-dish wonder is a family favourite dinner recipe!

    With layers of bacon, creamy rice and cajun spiced chicken, this simple oven baked casserole is always popular.

    It's also great for entertaining friends as you can prepare it in just a few minutes, pop it in the oven and leave it to bake... then serve straight from the oven.

    No fuss, no hassle - just delicious food!

    A chicken thigh baked with cajun seasoning and paprika in an oval dish with bacon and rice.

    Cream of Chicken Condensed Soup Casserole

    Wondering what the secret is behind this simple creamy casserole? A tin of cream of chicken condensed soup!

    You can buy cream of chicken condensed soup in the tinned soup aisle of the supermarket.

    It's a VERY thick (condensed) soup that has had most of the water removed. Generally water or milk is added to a tin of condensed soup to make a tasty soup, but in this case, it's used to make our delicious creamy sauce!

    I like to use Campbells brand of cream of chicken soup but you can use any brand you like.

    You can substitute the cream of chicken condensed soup for other varieties - such as cream of mushroom condensed soup or cream of chicken and corn condensed soup (they both work beautifully in this oven baked chicken and rice dish).

    A white plate with a serve of creamy rice, bacon and chicken casserole

    Best Cuts Of Chicken To Use

    This casserole is covered and slow baked for 2 hours in the oven until the chicken is so tender that it falls apart!

    What cut of chicken should I use?

    You can use a range of chicken cuts for this easy casserole.

    Boneless chicken thighs - this is my favourite option! I use 4 (large) or 6 (small) chicken thighs with the skin removed.

    Bone-in chicken thighs - you can also use skinless chicken thighs with the bone-in if you prefer.

    Chicken drumsticks - these are also a great option (with the skin removed).

    Note: Chicken wings, chicken tenderloins and chicken breast do NOT work as well in this recipe.

    Wings are too small, cook too quickly and don't soak up the flavour of the sauce.

    Chicken tenderloins and chicken breasts are too lean and won't give you the same fall-apart tender chicken that you'll get with thighs or drumsticks.

    The ingredients for a chicken bake with herbs and spices, bacon, rice and cream of condensed chicken soup.

    How To Bake Chicken & Rice Casserole

    This chicken, canned soup, rice and bacon dish takes just 10 minutes and one dish to prepare! And best of all... there's no need to pre-cook the rice!

    Note: scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom for ingredient quantities and a detailed method.

    Layer bacon on the base of a greased oven dish

    Streaky bacon layered in the base of a casserole dish.

    Sprinkle over uncooked rice

    It's important to use uncooked rice as we want it to slowly cook in the creamy sauce as the casserole bakes.

    Rice sprinkled over bacon in an oval  casserole dish.

    Place the chicken thighs on top of the rice

    Chicken thighs on top of rice in an oval baking dish.

    Season the chicken generously

    See my recipe tips below for seasoning the chicken (especially if young children will be eating the dish).

    Paprika and cajun seasoning on top of chicken thighs in oval baking dish

    Create a creamy sauce by mixing the condensed soup, water and herbs together

    Cream of condensed chicken soup, water and herbs in a white bowl.

    Mix until combined

    Cream of condensed chicken soup mixed with water and herbs in a bowl.

    Pour the sauce over the top of the chicken

    An oval baking dish filled with a creamy sauce over chicken, rice and bacon ready to be baked

    Cover tightly with 2 layers of foil and bake slow and low for 2 hours

    Foil covering an oval baking dish.

    Serving Suggestions

    To serve the baked chicken and rice, grab a large spoon and scoop all the way down to the bottom of the chicken bake. Scoop up pieces of bacon, layers of creamy rice and the tender cajun spiced chicken. YUM!

    This is an absolutely delicious and hearty meal on it's own or you can serve it with:

    • vegetables such as broccoli, beans, carrots, peas, asparagus, spinach or corn
    • a side salad
    • garlic bread

    Storing

    Store this baked chicken and rice casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. The reheated leftovers are SO good!

    Freezing

    This is a great freezer-friendly meal. Store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Allow to defrost in the fridge overnight and then reheat. Alternatively, defrost in the microwave and reheat until heated through.

    A serve of creamy chicken, bacon and rice casserole on a tea towel in front of a baking dish

    Recipe Notes & Tips

    Bacon - use streaky bacon or side bacon. This type of bacon comes in long strips and has more fat than shortcut bacon. It's important to use streaky bacon in this chicken casserole as it will flake into small pieces throughout the entire dish when served.

    Rice - use uncooked long grain white rice. It's important to use uncooked rice as we want it to slowly cook with the creamy sauce - this gives it the most INCREDIBLE flavour!

    Seasoning - the chicken is seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika and cajun seasoning. Use sweet ground paprika (not hot or smoked) which gives a beautiful boost of flavour but without any heat or spice. Cajun seasoning does have a hit of spice so go easy on it if you're serving this casserole to young kids. Alternatively, add extra if you'd like an extra bit of heat!

    Condensed soup - refer to my tips above for using canned condensed soup in this recipe (as well as substitutions).

    Cuts of chicken - the best cuts of chicken to use in this casserole are chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless) or chicken drumsticks. Avoid using chicken wings, chicken breast or chicken tenderloins.

    Let it cook low and slow - this casserole bake is cooked in a low oven (150 degrees celsius fan-forced or 300 degrees fahrenheit) for 2 hours. After this time, the rice will be cooked, the chicken will be so tender and the creamy sauce will have coated everything perfectly.

    Cover and seal with two layers of foil - it's important to completely seal the casserole dish with layers of foil so that the steam cannot escape. By sealing it, the steam will cook the rice while keeping the chicken incredibly moist.

    Don't peek - do NOT be tempted to open the oven or peek through the foil at any stage. Because this casserole cooks low and slow it's important not to allow any heat to escape.

    A forkful of chicken, bacon and rice on a plateful of creamy casserole

    More Chicken Dinner Recipes

    We all know and love a 'winner, winner, chicken dinner'!

    Here's a few of my favourite (and toddler/kid-approved) chicken dinners:

    • Creamy Tuscan Slow Cooker Chicken and Pasta - pop this into a slow cooker (crock pot) in the morning and have a delicious creamy chicken, sun-dried tomato and spinach dish ready at dinner time
    • Slow Cooker Roast Chicken & Vegetables - cook an entire chicken and your favourite vegetables in a slow cooker for the ultimate Sunday roast
    • Oven Baked Chicken Parma Balls - this simple dish is always a winner with the kids. Serve it with pasta or mashed potato for a midweek favourite.
    • One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta - carb lovers unite! This classic pasta is made in just one pot (and tastes amazing)

    For more dinner inspo, have a browse through my favourite family main meals.

    WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Facebook or Instagram. And if you love baking, then please come and join my Facebook cooking club group or subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

    A cajun spiced chicken thigh baked with rice and bacon.

    Creamy Oven Baked Chicken And Rice With Bacon

    A delicious creamy casserole made with bacon, oven baked chicken and rice. The perfect family dinner that takes just 10 minutes to prepare (and always gets the tick of approval!).
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: western
    Keyword: baked chicken and rice, chicken casserole
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
    Servings: 6 serves
    Calories: 482kcal
    Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

    Ingredients

    • 420 g can cream of chicken condensed soup see notes
    • 1 cup water
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • 1 tsp dried oregano
    • 1 tsp dried parsley
    • 200 g streaky bacon
    • 1 cup white long grain rice rinsed and uncooked
    • 4-6 chicken thighs approximately 500g
    • salt and pepper to season
    • ½ tsp ground sweet paprika
    • ½ tsp cajun seasoning see notes

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 150 degrees celsius fan-forced (300 degrees fahrenheit).
    • Lightly grease the base of a medium casserole dish (approximately 33 X 23cm or 9 X 13 inch).
    • Whisk together the cream of chicken condensed soup, water, garlic powder, oregano and parsley. Set aside.
    • Lay the streaky bacon across the base of the casserole dish.
    • Sprinkle over the uncooked rice.
    • Place the chicken thighs on top of the rice and season with salt, pepper, paprika and cajun seasoning.
    • Pour the creamy liquid over the top - do not stir.
    • Firmly cover the casserole dish with two layers of foil (sealed tightly).
    • Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 2 hours (without opening the foil at any stage).
    • After 2 hours, check that the rice in the centre is cooked (if not, reseal it and continue baking until cooked through).
    • Serve by scooping down through the casserole to get the layers of bacon, rice, chicken and creamy sauce.

    Notes

    RECIPE NOTES & TIPS
    Bacon – use streaky bacon or side bacon. This type of bacon comes in long strips and has more fat than shortcut bacon. It’s important to use streaky bacon in this chicken casserole as it will flake into small pieces throughout the entire dish when served.
    Rice – use uncooked long grain white rice. It’s important to use uncooked rice as we want it to slowly cook with the creamy sauce – this gives it the most INCREDIBLE flavour!
    Seasoning – the chicken is seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika and cajun seasoning. Use sweet ground paprika (not hot or smoked) which gives a beautiful boost of flavour but without any heat or spice. Cajun seasoning does have a hit of spice so go easy on it if you’re serving this casserole to young kids. Alternatively, add extra if you’d like an extra bit of heat!
    Condensed soup – You can buy cream of chicken condensed soup in the tinned soup aisle of the supermarket. It’s a VERY thick (condensed) soup that has had most of the water removed. Generally water or milk is added to a tin of condensed soup to make a tasty soup, but in this case, it’s used to make our delicious creamy sauce! You can substitute the cream of chicken condensed soup for other varieties – such as cream of mushroom condensed soup or cream of chicken and corn condensed soup
    Cuts of chicken – the best cuts of chicken to use in this casserole are chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless) or chicken drumsticks. Avoid using chicken wings, chicken breast or chicken tenderloins.
    Let it cook low and slow – this casserole bake is cooked in a low oven (150 degrees celsius fan-forced or 300 degrees fahrenheit) for 2 hours. After this time, the rice will be cooked, the chicken will be so tender and the creamy sauce will have coated everything perfectly.
    Cover and seal with two layers of foil – it’s important to completely seal the casserole dish with layers of foil so that the steam cannot escape. By sealing it, the steam will cook the rice while keeping the chicken incredibly moist.
    Don’t peek – do NOT be tempted to open the oven or peek through the foil at any stage. Because this casserole cooks low and slow it’s important not to allow any heat to escape at all.
    Serving – grab a large spoon and scoop all the way down to the bottom of the chicken bake. Scoop up pieces of bacon, layers of creamy rice and the tender cajun spiced chicken.
    Storing – this dish can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. The reheated leftovers are SO good!
    Freezing – this dish freezes perfectly. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow to defrost in the fridge overnight and then reheat. Alternatively, defrost in the microwave and reheat until hot through.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 482kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 774mg | Potassium: 290mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 363IU | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @BakePlaySmileBlog or tag #BakePlaySmile!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rae Wright

      December 30, 2020 at 2:10 pm

      Hi Lucy, can this be cooked in a slow cooker?

      Reply
      • Lucy

        December 31, 2020 at 9:33 am

        Hi Rae, I personally haven't done that but I can't see why not!

        Reply
    2. Liz

      January 13, 2021 at 5:54 pm

      What can you substitute Cajun seasoning that will give flavour? Allergies to spices...

      Reply
      • Lucy

        January 14, 2021 at 8:08 am

        Is paprika not an option for you either? Because that would also be delicious!! If not, just omit it and use a little salt and pepper 🙂

        Reply
    3. Natalie Barrett

      March 02, 2021 at 6:09 pm

      5 stars
      This is a winner in my house!! Everyone loves it and it's so easy to throw together. It is requested a couple of times a month and is always a hit. Thanks Lucy

      Reply
      • Lucy

        March 03, 2021 at 11:35 am

        Oh that's absolutely awesome!! It's a fave here too!

        Reply
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    I’m Lucy! A mum, a wife, a food blogger and a lover of all things to do with food! I love creating delicious, no-fuss Thermomix and conventional recipes the whole family will love. Classic baking favourites, lunch box snacks, quick and easy family dinners and more!

    More about me →

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