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Home » Recipes » Chicken

BEST Gluten Free Chicken Casserole

Published: Feb 7, 2023 · Updated: Jul 15, 2024 by Carissa Erzen · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

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5 from 5 votes

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.

two beige plates of Gluten Free Chicken Casserole on a white tile surface

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.

close up of a plate of Gluten Free Chicken Casserole with a metal fork

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.
two hands setting a blue casserole dish on a white tile table

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.

white bowl of coconut milk and spices

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.

blue casserole dish of chicken, rice and coconut milk

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.

Gluten Free Chicken Casserole in a blue casserole dish

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.
a metal spoon scooping out rice and chicken from a blue dish

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.

close up of dairy free chicken and rice casserole on a beige dish

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

Gluten Free Chicken Casserole

Carissa Erzen
Bake the BEST gluten free chicken casserole in 1 hour without needing to have any rotisserie chicken or cooked rice on hand already. Everything cooks at the same time with just 8 simple ingredients!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Saved Recipe!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 432 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 14 ounces full fat coconut milk (1 can)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 pounds uncooked boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice (like jasmine or basmati)
  • ½ cup fresh parsley or cilantro (for topping)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the coconut milk, salt, garlic powder, paprika and black pepper. Set aside.
  • In a 9-inch by 13-inch casserole dish, add the chicken and rice, then top with the coconut milk and spice mixture.
  • Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the chicken has an internal temperature of 165°F and the rice is tender.
    Serve topped with fresh herbs. Enjoy!!

Notes

  • Rice: 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.
  • More Vegetables: Add in vegetables like broccoli florets, diced bell peppers and onions, mushrooms, spinach, or peas & carrots.
  • Cheese: Sprinkle cheddar cheese or parmesan on top before baking for a cheesy chicken rice casserole.
  • Rotisserie Chicken: You can use cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken by baking the casserole for 35 to 40 minutes at 350°F.
  • Storing: Allow the food to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 432kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 52gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 849mgPotassium: 927mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 451IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg
Keyword chicken and rice casserole, chicken casserole, gluten free chicken casserole
Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @humbly-homemade on social!

More Easy Chicken Recipes

  • Korean Spicy Chicken Bulgogi
  • Chicken fajita in a tray bake with half an avocado next to it.
    How Long Can Chicken Stay Out?
  • Spicy Korean Chicken Tacos
  • Thai Chicken Tacos with Peanut Sauce

About Carissa Erzen

Growing up in Germany, I fell head-over-heels in love with ALL the German baked goods, from Lebkuchen to pretzels. Now I'm the founder, recipe developer, and food photographer behind Humbly Homemade, where I test and share German sweets lovingly created from scratch. So pull up a chair, and stay a while!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lindsey

    December 22, 2024 at 11:17 am

    5 stars
    I needed a quick GF dinner for when my cousin was visiting and THIS WAS IT! She loved it so much she asked for the recipe! I'm keeping this on hand for busy nights when I don't feel like cooking, too!

    Reply
    • Carissa Erzen

      January 07, 2025 at 2:40 pm

      I'm so glad to hear that! This is definitely one of my go-to's as well for last minute dinners.

      Reply
  2. Maria

    July 23, 2024 at 4:23 am

    5 stars
    So good!!! I love the use of coconut milk for this recipe and how easy it is to make overall! My family loved this, and I loved that it was so quick to make for a weeknight meal.

    Reply
  3. Lisa Marie

    July 15, 2024 at 5:40 pm

    5 stars
    So delicious!! This is going on my monthly meal rotation now!

    Reply
    • Carissa Erzen

      July 22, 2024 at 3:08 pm

      Yay!! 🙂

      Reply
    • Carissa Erzen

      July 22, 2024 at 3:12 pm

      I love to hear that!

      Reply
  4. Jordan

    July 15, 2024 at 5:39 pm

    5 stars
    I made this last week for dinner, and it turned out great! I love that everything comes together in the oven. I hate having to cook chicken and rice and vegetables all separately, just to have to put them together and still bake everything. This was such a time saver!

    Reply
    • Carissa Erzen

      July 22, 2024 at 3:08 pm

      SAME! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  5. Jim

    January 22, 2021 at 9:33 am

    Great ideas on brining those leftovers back to life! Korean Gochujang is another red pepper chili based spice that goes good on those old leftovers. The chicken and rice dish look oh so ono!

    Reply
    • strawberryandcream

      January 24, 2021 at 10:20 pm

      Oh yes, I love dabbing some gochujang on my food! Everything from scrambled eggs to leftover chicken casserole go great with that stuff!

      Reply
  6. Yum-number1

    January 20, 2021 at 7:16 am

    Loooks soooooo yummy!!! And thank you for sharing your meal prep secrets, literally agree with everything you said about how left over food looses its taste and texture... Definitely will be trying your lifesaving tips 🙂

    Reply
    • strawberryandcream

      January 20, 2021 at 7:55 am

      Thank you!! It's so sad when a great meal turns into blech boring after just one day. Do you meal prep a lot? 🙂

      Reply
  7. Happy Panda

    January 20, 2021 at 4:03 am

    That looks so good!

    Reply
    • strawberryandcream

      January 20, 2021 at 7:54 am

      Thank you so much! Do you like casseroles?

      Reply
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