Easy Skinny Chicken and Rice Casserole using NO cream soups and made in about 30 minutes! Put this on your dinner menu – you will love this easy meal!
Last Thursday, my three year old little man Tate turned FOUR!! That means, for almost one month, I’ll have not one, but TWO 4-year olds. Crazy!
Having “Irish twins” is a bit normal to me now, but sometimes when I really stop and think about it, I can’t even believe it! It seems so weird that I have two boys that close in age. I had an 11-month old at home when I went into the hospital and gave birth to another infant. Isn’t that nuts?!
At the time I found out about the pregnancy, I was devastated. Crushed. We had just moved to a small (but darling) two bedroom condo. Meaning, you guessed it, three boys squeezed into one room. No room for 4! My husband had just started a new job and was extremely stressed. I was having a hard time transitioning from two totally independent kids, to three. We were having car problems and were down to one at the time. I was driving to and from downtown to drop off and pick up my husband with kids in tow or he was stuck taking the bus for hours every day. And money was tight since we had just finished graduate school and were starting to pay back our student loans.
Things were NOT easy.
Then to find out that I was pregnant so soon after our third, was a sure test of my marriage, my relationship with my kids and my faith. But I know Heavenly Father only gives us things that we can handle. And as hard as it was to do the baby thing all over again so quickly and under those less than stellar circumstances, I did it.
And I wouldn’t change it for ANYTHING.
My sweet little Tate is an absolute joy. I love love love him. And I absolutely love having two boys that are so close in age. They are truly best friends. So even though his Birthday has passed, I wanted to make sure I gave him a little shout out to celebrate his fun day! We had a blast at Chuck E. Cheese’s. 🙂
And also to celebrate, I wanted to share a family favorite dinner – Skinny Chicken and Rice Casserole. This casserole is the bomb.com! It has NO cream soups, is so easy to throw together in 30 minutes, and tastes amazing! It’s one of those dishes my kids ask me to make. And it can save you in a pinch if you’ve run out of grocery money for the week and have no clue what to throw together. It’s saved me many a times, lol! Enjoy!
Skinny Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 4-5 green onions diced
- 1 14-oz pkg. sliced fresh mushrooms
- 2 cups cooked boneless skinless chicken, cubed
- 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 1/2 cups cooked brown rice I used instant
- 1 5.3-oz fat free plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray a 2 quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
- In a skillet, heat oil. Add green onions and mushrooms. Cook until tender.
- Add chicken. Sprinkle with flour. Cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk, bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes, or until thick and bubbly.
- Add brown rice. Fold in Greek yogurt, mayo and salt and pepper. Pour into prepared casserole dish.
- Top with cheese and bake for 20 minutes, or until cheese melts and it's bubbly around the edges.
Liz says
Thank you Jen.
Jen says
Thank YOU Liz for stopping by!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
I love it when it’ skinny and still delicious!!! Wowzer!!!
Jen says
Thanks Carol!!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
I don’t know how you did it with two little ones so close in age! My newest addition is 6 weeks old, and I can’t imagine what it would be like to find out I was pregnant again so soon. Your little guy sounds like an absolute joy – Happy Birthday little man!
This casserole looks delicious! I love quick and easy meals like this one!
Jen says
You could totally handle it, Kristine, lol! Thanks so much, friend! Have a great weekend!
Medeja says
Mmm.. looks so creamy and so yummy!
Jen says
It is SO yummy! Thanks for stopping by!
Julie @ Tastes of Lizzy T says
My sister has Irish twins, too! I waited a teeny bit longer…mine are 18 months apart. I love that they are close! This looks so fantastic. Love that it is lightened up!
Jen says
18 months is the perfect spread because they’re still close in age and you get a little break of sanity, lol! Thanks Julie!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
You are supermom! I have an almost 3 month old, and I can’t imagine finding out I was pregnant again — I would be stressed for sure! It’s hard to go from independent toddlers and preschoolers to the baby game again. This casserole looks amazing! And I love how easy it is 🙂 Pinned!
Jen says
Seriously! I think I cried for a week straight when I found out, lol! You look fantastic for having a 3 month old, Ashley! Way to go!! Thanks so much for pinning, friend – have a great weekend!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
I always said I wanted 6 kids. Everything went so well with m daughter that I realized I might be jinxing myself so I have decided to stick with one child (who will be 4 in Ocotber!) I cannot imagine Irish twins at all!! And that you manage to create awesome recipes still?! Amazing!
Jen says
Awww! Thank you SO much Kacey! You’re the sweetest! 4 is an amazing age and how fun that you have a daughter! Have a great weekend!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
First of all kudos to you for thriving under all that stress and pressure! I can’t imagine. Can not, but you obviously rocked it and came out brilliantly on the other end! Secondly, this casserole looks like the bomb 🙂 Happy Birthday Tate!
Jen says
Thanks so much, Julie! Have a great weekend, friend!
Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen says
Jen, I loved reading your story. I had no idea two of your boys were so close in age! It goes to show that no matter the circumstances, God blesses us with our babies when they are meant to come. My first baby came YEARS before I had planned, but like you said, I wouldn’t change a SINGLE THING! Happy birthday to your little man. 🙂 And I’ll take a double helping of this casserole, please!
Jen says
SO TRUE Ashlyn!! We are meant to get them when we get them! Thank you so much for reading the whole looooong post, lol! Have a great weekend!
heather | girlichef says
This is such a classic comfort dish, but I haven’t eaten it in years. I love that you’ve made it a bit easier on the waistline. It looks creamy and delicous!
Jen says
It is so good, you won’t even know it’s healthier! Thanks Heather!!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
Jen you are truly amazing!! I don’t know how you do it! I struggle just keeping up with 1 baby, how do you DO IT all with 4 kids?! You deserve a gold medal girlfriend. Love the casserole! Pinned!
Jen says
Thanks a ton for pinning, Mariah!! You are the best!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
You are such an amazing mom, Jen!! I struggle so many days with only two and they are 26 months apart. Love that your boys are so close and best friends now, that’s the best feeling 🙂 Happy happy birthday to sweet Tate! This casserole looks incredible!
Jen says
Thank you so much, Kelly! You are so incredibly sweet! I hope you have a fabulous weekend, friend!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
You are such an amazing mom, Jen. If anyone can handle that less than ideal situation with grace, it’s YOU! You’re also an amazing cook. I want this casserole!!
Jen says
I don’t know about amazing, but thank you! You’re the sweetest!! xo!
Kelley says
Our kiddos are exactly 14 months apart.. February 26th and then April 26th. I totalllly understand where you are coming from! It’s hard and I’m not sure how I did it in the beginning, but now its so awesome. They are friends (most of the time) and so much fun. Happy birthday to your little man!
Ashlyn @ Belle of the Kitchen says
Just wanted to come back and let you know that I made this for dinner tonight, Jen. It was DELICIOUS! My family has been sick with the stomach flu this past week and I just wanted something comforting and yummy for our first real meal in nearly a week! This was perfect and everyone loved it. Thank you!
Jen says
Oh Ashlyn, I’m so sorry everyone has been sick! Big hugs to you guys. I’m so thrilled you liked it! It’s always nerve-wracking when a fellow food blogger tries your recipes! 😉 Thanks so much friend! I hope you have a sick-free weekend! xo!
Donna says
Jen, I made this for dinner tonight and we loved it! It is so flavorful . No more chicken and rice with canned soup for us!
Jen says
YAY!! So happy to hear you liked it! Thanks for the sweet comment!
Alli Morris says
Is this a good recipe to freeze? how would you adjust the cooking time if so?
Jen says
Hi Alli! I haven’t tried freezing this one but I think the best thing to do is make the whole casserole, cover it and freeze before cooking and then let thaw in the refrigerator and bake at around the same time as the recipe indicates. I hope this helps! Thanks for the comment!
Kay says
Hi, have been making this for about a year, it’s a fave at our house. I also try to keep my mom’s freezer stocked & wanted to tell you this freezes just fine in individual servings. I usually put two in a zippy bag. As a matter of fact, hubby & I are having some for dinner! Thanks for a great dish.
Jen says
Oh wow! Thanks for this update! I’m so happy you like the recipe! It’s one of our favorites, too!
Sarah says
Hi – just tried this tonight and it was a crowd pleaser! And… Plenty of leftovers! Thank you. Can’t wait to check out some other recipes on here.
Jen says
Woohoo! I’m so happy you liked it! I hope you find lots more yummy recipes on here! Have a great week!
Amelia says
This was great.
I modified a bit and it turned out perfect. Subbed a second container of greek yogurt for the mayo. Added Chicken base/bullion to the milk mixture. Used green beans instead of mushrooms. Added some toasted almonds. Mixed in the cheese instead of putting on top before baking.
Thanks!!
Jen says
I love your modifications! Sounds wonderful, thanks for the comment!
Jessica @ Bikini Baker says
This was so delicious! I added broccoli and used quinoa instead of rice and it was amazing. My fiance went back for seconds. 🙂 Excited to eat for lunch tomorrow!
SoCalGal619 says
We made the chicken and rice dish today and it was DELICIOUS!!! Husband and teenage son said they wouldn’t mind it in regular rotation. Easy enough for hubs to make (he gets home first) so that’s a plus! Thank you!!!
Jen says
YAY! I’m soooo happy you liked it!
Alli says
This is one of my go-to weekly meals! So easy and tasty!! Does anybody have the nutrition facts for this??
Mary says
Just wanted to let you know that I tried your skinny chicken and rice casserole last night. I had just been recovering from the stomach flu and felt ready for a real meal but nothing too rich. This was a great recipe for that! I didn’t add the greek yogurt and it was still creamy enough. This is a really good recipe that is flavorful, easy to make and one that kids and teenagers will like because it does not have too many spicy ingredients. Thanks for posting it!
Jen says
I am so happy you liked it!! Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Mary!
Susan says
What a delicious alternative to one of my childhood favorites! Thank you for posting this healthy version!!
Jen says
You’re welcome!! Thanks for the sweet comment!
Colleen says
I made this last night and it was awesome! I used extra yogurt instead of mayo and added some frozen chopped spinach that was slightly thawed to it and it was wonderful! Thanks for the recipe!
Jen says
I’m so happy you liked it Colleen! Thanks for the nice comment!
Shannon says
Jen,
Saving this to try in the next week or two. I love your story! My husband and I have five children. We have “Irish triplets,” so to speak. I gave birth to our three sons within 24mo.
It was a wild, crazy, fun ride and we survived. We went on to have our daughters when our youngest son was two and and then when our daughter was just over 2 1/2. We love our crazy, silly precious babes. Can’t wait to try this dish.
Thanks,
Shannon
Karen says
I used riced cauliflower instead of brown rice and really cut down on calories
Jen says
Great idea!!
John says
Jen, this recipe sounds great and I can’t wait to give it a try. One question though, you don’t specify what type of milk to use, should it be whole, skim, 1%, etc.? Thank you and I would appreciate your feedback.
Jen says
Hi John! I usually use skim milk to keep the calories down but you can use whatever you like!
Vamika says
Love this “Skinny Chicken and Rice Casserole”, these are so amazing , thanks for sharing this one . Will love to try this one.
Girish Jha says
Love this Skinny Chicken and Rice Casserole recipe . this one seems so delicious and amazing. Will love to try this.
Rose says
Love this Skinny Chicken and Rice Casserole, this one seems super delicious . Never tried this recipe before. Will surely gonna try this one .
Authentic Homestay in Uttarakhand says
Thanks for sharing this Skinny Chicken and Rice Casserole , seems super delicious and unique. Can’t wait to try this one .