Spicy Buffalo Chicken and Creamy Rice Casserole
Elevate your weeknight dinner with this Spicy Buffalo Chicken and Creamy Rice Casserole! This hearty dish combines tender diced chicken, fluffy rice, and rich cream of chicken soup, all smothered in a zesty hot sauce that packs a punch. Ideal for busy evenings or a gathering during Monday Night Football, this casserole is not only quick to prepare but budget-friendly as well. Utilize leftover chicken or rice, and feel free to customize with your favorite cream soup. Top it off with a crunchy layer of Ritz crackers and your choice of bleu cheese or ranch dressing for an irresistible finishing touch. It's a cozy, satisfying meal that will have your family coming back for seconds!
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken Breasts
4 (cooked & diced)
White Rice
1 cup (cooked)
Cream of Chicken Soup
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can
Water
5 ounces (1/2 can)
Hot Sauce (Frank's)
1/2 cup
Bleu Cheese Salad Dressing
1/3 cup
Ritz Crackers
1 sleeve (crushed)
Butter
optional (melted for drizzling)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In an 8x11-inch casserole dish, evenly spread the cooked white rice across the bottom.
3
In a medium bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup and the water, mixing until well blended. Spread this mixture over the rice in the casserole dish.
4
In a separate mixing bowl, toss the diced cooked chicken with the hot sauce (Frank's) until evenly coated.
5
Layer the hot sauce-coated chicken over the creamy rice mixture in the casserole dish.
6
Drizzle your desired amount of bleu cheese or ranch dressing over the chicken—there's no need for even coverage; just a generous drizzle will do.
7
Crush the Ritz crackers and sprinkle them evenly over the top of the casserole for a crunchy texture.
8
For an extra touch of flavor, you can drizzle melted butter over the crushed Ritz crackers to achieve a golden, crispy finish.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
25g
Carbs
17g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Buffalo Chicken and Creamy Rice Casserole?
It is a hearty weeknight dinner that combines tender diced chicken, fluffy rice, and rich cream of chicken soup with a zesty hot sauce layer.
What oven temperature is needed for this casserole?
You should preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the dish.
How long does it take to bake?
The casserole should bake for 30 minutes until it is bubbly and golden brown.
What size baking dish is required?
An 8x11-inch casserole dish is recommended for this recipe.
Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?
Yes, using leftover cooked chicken is a great way to make this meal budget-friendly and quick to prepare.
What kind of rice should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of cooked white rice spread evenly across the bottom of the dish.
Which hot sauce is recommended?
Frank's Hot Sauce is the recommended choice to achieve the classic buffalo flavor.
Can I substitute the cream of chicken soup?
Yes, you can feel free to customize the dish with your favorite cream soup.
What kind of dressing is used in the casserole?
You can use either bleu cheese or ranch dressing to drizzle over the chicken layer.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 ingredients including chicken, rice, soup, water, hot sauce, dressing, crackers, and optional butter.
What provides the crunchy topping for the casserole?
One sleeve of crushed Ritz crackers is sprinkled over the top for a crunchy texture.
Is butter necessary for the recipe?
Butter is optional but can be melted and drizzled over the crackers to achieve a golden, crispy finish.
How do I prepare the soup mixture?
Combine the cream of chicken soup and 5 ounces of water in a medium bowl and mix until well blended.
Do I need to mix the dressing into the casserole?
No, you simply drizzle a generous amount of bleu cheese or ranch dressing over the chicken without needing even coverage.
Is the chicken cooked before it goes into the oven?
Yes, the chicken breasts should be cooked and diced before being tossed in hot sauce and added to the dish.
How much hot sauce should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of hot sauce to coat the diced chicken.
What are the nutritional values for this casserole?
One serving contains approximately 300 calories, 15g of fat, 25g of carbohydrates, and 17g of protein.
Is this recipe good for hosting events?
Yes, it is specifically noted as being ideal for gatherings like Monday Night Football.
Can I use raw rice in the dish?
No, the rice must be cooked before assembling the casserole.
How much water is added to the soup?
Use 5 ounces of water, which is approximately half of a standard 10.5 ounce soup can.
What is the first step in assembling the casserole?
The first step is spreading the cooked white rice across the bottom of the casserole dish.
How do I coat the chicken in sauce?
Toss the diced cooked chicken in a separate mixing bowl with the hot sauce until every piece is evenly coated.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving is approximately 300 calories.
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, rotisserie chicken is an excellent time-saving option for the cooked and diced chicken requirement.
How much dressing should I drizzle?
The recipe recommends about 1/3 cup of bleu cheese salad dressing.
Is this dish considered spicy?
Yes, the combination of 1/2 cup of hot sauce and buffalo seasoning makes it a spicy, zesty dish.
What type of crackers are used?
The recipe specifically calls for Ritz crackers.
What are common tags for this recipe?
Common tags include casserole, buffalo chicken, easy dinner, comfort food, and spicy.
Can I make this on a budget?
Yes, the recipe is designed to be budget-friendly by using simple pantry staples and leftovers.
What is the protein content?
There are 17 grams of protein per serving.