BEST Gluten Free Chicken Casserole

With just 10 minutes of preparation, I love making this easy one-dish gluten free chicken casserole to get a hearty meal on the dinner table quick. Tender chicken & creamy rice come together in the oven, so you don't need to pre-cook anything! Plus this recipe is extremely versatile, so you can use what you already have in your fridge.

About this Recipe

This is the best chicken casserole because you don't need to have pre-cooked chicken and pre-cooked rice on hand. Everything cooks together at the same time!

There's only about 10 minutes of active time to make this healthy casserole. The rest of the hour is spent with the dish in the oven, so you can get other things done around the house. Or cuddle up with a good book and get ready for some homecooked comfort food.

This chicken casserole is full of flavor from the coconut milk and spices. And because everything cooks at the same time, all the flavors meld together into a cohesive and delicious meal.

This gluten free chicken casserole is also dairy free. Canned coconut milk makes this dish extra creamy.

Chicken casserole tastes great with a side of Korean carrot salad and an easy vanilla cake with strawberry filling for dessert. And if you're looking for more easy gluten free recipes that are baked in the oven in under one hour, try roasted salmon and vegetables or easy chicken fajita tray bake.

To be honest, I used to have a love-hate relationship with casseroles. I love their convenience - just throw some food in a dish, bake it, and dinner's ready! But while casseroles can get real old real quick, have no fear! This gluten free chicken casserole is full of flavor and it tastes amazing as leftovers with a few helpful tricks.

How to Make Leftover Casserole Not Taste Bland

• Spicy: A little bit of spice from hot sauce or red chili flakes helps food taste less bland.
• Crunchy: Sprinkle something crunchy like gluten free bread crumbs to avoid leftovers being mushy.
• Herbs: And a generous helping of fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, or basil on your reheated leftovers can revive them with color and fresh flavor.

Ingredients

• Coconut milk - Full fat or lite (reduced fat) coconut milk both work in this recipe. Full fat coconut milk will create an even creamier casserole.
• Salt and black pepper - Bring out the flavors of the rest of the ingredients
• Garlic powder - Adds a mildly sweet garlicky flavor
• Paprika - Adds a smoky flavor
• Chicken - Use raw boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
• Rice - Long grain white rice varieties work great in this recipe including jasmine rice and basmati rice
• Fresh parsley or cilantro - Adds a fresh pop of green to an otherwise pretty beige dish

Recipe Video

How to Make Gluten Free Chicken Casserole

Mix the wet ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the coconut milk, salt, garlic powder, paprika and black pepper. Set aside.

Combine everything: In a 9-inch by 13-inch casserole dish, add the chicken and rice, then top with the coconut milk and spice mixture.

Bake: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil bake for 45 to 50 minutes at 375°F, until the chicken is cooked and the rice is tender.

Enjoy: To serve, scoop servings onto plates. Top with fresh herbs and enjoy!!

Tips and Substitutions

• Instead of white rice, you could use brown rice or wild rice. Just let them soak in water for one hour before adding it to the recipe, otherwise they won't cook fast enough.
• Add in vegetables like broccoli florets, diced bell peppers and onions, mushrooms, spinach, or peas & carrots.
• Substitute coconut milk for heavy cream, whole milk, or chicken broth.
• If you don't like cilantro or parsley, use other fresh herbs like basil or thyme.
• Sprinkle cheddar cheese or parmesan on top before baking for a cheesy chicken rice casserole.
• You can use cooked rotisserie chicken and cooked rice by baking the casserole for 35 to 40 minutes at 350°F.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you put in a bland chicken casserole?

Plenty of spices and coconut milk add tons of flavor to chicken casserole. And fresh herbs liven up any bland casserole.

Is it ok to put raw chicken in a casserole?

Yes, that's what makes this the best chicken casserole! You don't need to have pre-cooked chicken on hand. Any bacteria are killed once the chicken reaches 160°F. For more info on food safety with chicken, read my post about how long can chicken stay out.

Should you cover chicken casserole when baking?

Yes, it is essential to cover your chicken casserole as it bakes to trap all the steam inside the dish to cook the rice and chicken.

Storing and Freezing

Fridge: Cool leftovers to room temperature then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheating: Place your serving on a microwave safe plate and microwave on 1 minute intervals, stirring after each time. Top with fresh herbs.

Can I Freeze Chicken Casserole?

Yes, cool any leftovers to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

If you enjoyed this chicken casserole recipe, try these other easy chicken main dishes!

• Chicken Fajita Tray Bake
• Spicy Shredded Chicken Tacos
• Chicken Caesar Salad
• Thai Chicken Tacos with Peanut Sauce
• Bulgogi Chicken