This dreamy dairy free chicken and rice casserole is your answer to healthy, comforting and easy weeknight dinners. Forget bland and boring – this dish is packed with flavorful, wholesome ingredients, making it perfect for cozy winter nights, festive gatherings or simply satisfying your soul. This casserole is hearty and filling. Tender chicken, fluffy rice, and colorful veggies come together in a savory green enchilada sauce, leaving you feeling warm and satisfied. It’s perfect for weeknights and requires minimal effort. Let your oven do the work while you relax or tackle other tasks. The best part is that you can make it all in one dish!
Why You’ll Love This Casserole
It’s packed with delicious flavors!
It is so easy to make and comes together in one dish.
This casserole is both gluten free and dairy free.
It is packed with veggies and nutrients.
This meal is the perfect cozy lunch or dinner.
It’s a great dish to meal prep!
This dish is also kid-friendly and your whole family will love it!
Equipment Needed
All you need to make this dairy free chicken and rice casserole is a knife, cutting board and an 8×8 baking dish.
Ingredients Needed
White Rice: I used frozen white rice here, which is a great hack and also key for this recipe. Feel free to also substitute with frozen brown rice, frozen quinoa or frozen cauliflower rice. If you are gluten free, make sure you are using a base that is certified gluten free.
Ground Chicken: I used organic ground chicken here. When it comes to meat, I always try to purchase the highest quality meat possible. My favorite place to get my meat and fish is ButcherBox because they have organic and high-quality options and it gets delivered right to your door!
Vegetables: I used zucchini, sweet onion, frozen corn and frozen peppers in this dairy free chicken and rice bake. Feel free to add additional vegetables if you choose! I used some frozen because that’s what I had on hand and it’s also a great shortcut for during the week.
Garlic: Garlic adds tons of flavor to this recipe. Feel free to use fresh garlic or garlic powder!
Salt: My favorite salt is Redmond’s Real Salt because it is high-quality and made with zero fillers. If you use my discount code LESSWITHLAUR you can get 15% off Redmond’s website.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Gather your ingredients. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Step 2: Chop your vegetables.
Step 3: Add frozen rice and ground chicken to the oiled pan. Pour in garlic and salt. Stir to combine.
Step 4: Add vegetables on top of the chicken and rice.
Step 5: Pour the enchilada over the top and bake for 60 minutes, or until chicken is done.
Storage
Store this dairy free chicken and rice casserole in an airtight container and refrigerate for 4-5 days.
To freeze, Divide the casserole into individual portions or freeze the entire dish in a freezer-safe container. Tightly cover the container with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, ensuring no air can escape. Label the container with the contents and date. The casserole will stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Variations
There are so many different ways to customize this dairy free chicken and rice casserole!
Add additional veggies: Try adding other vegetables like broccoli, peas, carrots, mushrooms or spinach.
Switch up the sauce: Use a red enchilada sauce instead of a green enchilada sauce.
Try a different meat: Use ground turkey or ground beef instead of ground chicken in this casserole.
Try a different base: Try out frozen brown rice, frozen quinoa or frozen cauliflower rice instead of frozen white rice.
How To Serve
I love adding toppings to this dairy free chicken and rice casserole. Add some classictoppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, Pico de Gallo, chopped cilantro, sliced red onion, salsa or sliced jalapeños to personalize your plate and add extra flavor and texture.
Consider adding some simple sides like black beans, refried beans or a side salad for a more complete and balanced meal.
Portion the enchilada mixture into bowls and top with your favorite toppings like a burrito bowl.
Use tortillas to scoop up the enchilada mixture and toppings like mini tacos.
No matter how you choose to serve it, I’m sure your dairy free chicken and rice casserole will be a delicious and satisfying meal!
Recipe FAQs
What can you substitute for white rice in this casserole?
Feel free to substitute frozen brown rice or frozen quinoa in this casserole!
Is this casserole gluten free?
Yes! This casserole is gluten free as long as you make sure all of the ingredients you use are gluten free.
What can I substitute for green enchilada sauce?
Try substituting red enchilada sauce if you prefer!
Related Recipes
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If you make this dairy free chicken and rice casserole and love it, I would really appreciate a 5 star review! I also love seeing your creations so please tag me on Instagram or TikTok.
Dairy Free Chicken and Rice Casserole
Equipment
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 8×8 baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 cups frozen rice
- 1 lb ground chicken
- dash salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 zucchini
- 3/4 sweet onion
- 1/2 cup frozen mixed peppers
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 1 jar green enchilada sauce
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Chop your vegetables.
- Add frozen rice and ground chicken to the oiled pan. Pour in garlic and salt. Stir to combine.
- Add vegetables on top of the chicken and rice.
- Pour the enchilada over the top and bake for 60 minutes, or until chicken is done.
LOVED this recipe. I packed it with a bunch of veggies.
Aw yay!