Why You’ll Love This Ham, Chicken, and Rice Casserole

There’s something inherently comforting about a well-made casserole, and this Ham, Chicken, and Rice Casserole is no exception. It’s a complete meal in one dish, packed with savory flavors, tender chicken, hearty ham, and perfectly cooked rice, all brought together in a rich, delicious sauce. This recipe is not just a treat for your taste buds but also a smart way to utilize leftover ham or cooked chicken, minimizing food waste while maximizing flavor.

Imagine coming home after a long day to a warm, bubbling casserole that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare. With just 10 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes in the pan, you can have a wholesome, delicious meal on the table in under an hour. It’s ideal for busy weeknights, potlucks, or simply when you’re craving a hearty, no-fuss dinner that the whole family will adore. The combination of ingredients creates a symphony of textures and tastes – from the slightly crispy bits of browned meat to the soft rice and sweet peas – making every spoonful a delight.

This dish is incredibly versatile, allowing for various customizations to suit your family’s preferences. Whether you want to add extra vegetables, a different type of cheese, or adjust the seasoning, this ham, chicken, and rice casserole provides a fantastic foundation for culinary creativity. Let’s dive into how you can create this amazing casserole that’s sure to become a regular in your meal rotation!

Ingredients for Your Hearty Casserole

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delightful casserole. Most of these items are pantry staples, making this a convenient recipe to whip up anytime. Here’s what you’ll need to make this flavorful ham and chicken rice casserole:

• 1 tbs butter: Adds richness and helps brown the chicken for a deeper flavor.
• 1 tbs olive oil: For sautéing and preventing the butter from burning at higher temperatures.
• 1 lb chicken breast, cubed: Provides lean protein. Cubing allows for even cooking and distribution throughout the casserole. If you have leftover cooked chicken, you can easily use it here by skipping the initial browning step and adding it in with the ham.
• ½ tsp salt (for chicken): Essential for seasoning the chicken as it browns, building flavor from the start.
• ½ tsp pepper (for chicken): Complements the salt and enhances the natural taste of the chicken.
• ½ lb smoked pre-cooked ham, cubed: The star of the show, adding a wonderful smoky and savory depth. This is a perfect opportunity to use up leftover holiday ham!
• 1 white onion, diced: Provides a sweet and aromatic base for the casserole, softening and caramelizing as it cooks.
• 1 tbs minced garlic: Essential for a rich, savory flavor profile. Freshly minced garlic offers the best aroma and taste.
• 14 oz can petite diced tomatoes: Adds a touch of acidity and moisture, helping to balance the richness of the meats and create a cohesive sauce.
• 2 cups chicken broth: Forms the flavorful liquid base for cooking the rice and infusing every component of the casserole with savory notes.
• 1 cup uncooked rinsed jasmine rice: Rinsing removes excess starch, which is key to achieving fluffy, separate grains of rice rather than a sticky consistency. Other long-grain rice varieties like basmati or even regular white rice can also be used, though cooking times might vary slightly.
• 1 tsp paprika: Contributes a warm, slightly smoky flavor and a beautiful reddish hue to the dish, enhancing its visual appeal.
• ½ tsp dried thyme: Adds an earthy, aromatic note that complements the chicken and ham beautifully, creating a classic comfort food flavor.
• 1 tsp salt (for casserole): This is for the entire casserole. Adjust to taste, considering the inherent saltiness of the ham and chicken broth. Always taste and adjust before serving.
• ½ tsp pepper (for casserole): Balances the overall seasoning of the casserole.
• 1 cup frozen peas: Added at the end, these provide a pop of vibrant color, sweetness, and tender texture, completing the dish. No need to thaw them beforehand.

For an extra layer of richness and gooeyness, consider stirring in a cup of shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella during the last few minutes of cooking, or sprinkle it on top before serving. This casserole is truly a blank canvas for your culinary creativity!

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Casserole

Creating this delicious Ham, Chicken, and Rice Casserole is straightforward and rewarding. Follow these simple steps for a hearty meal that will impress your family and friends:

1. Brown the Chicken: To a large sauté pan or a sturdy pot (one that can comfortably hold all your ingredients and has a tight-fitting lid), add 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Heat over medium-high heat until the butter is melted and shimmering. Add the cubed chicken breast to the hot pan and season immediately with ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Brown the chicken on all sides until it develops a nice golden crust. This crucial step develops deep, savory flavors through the Maillard reaction. You don’t need to cook the chicken through completely at this stage, just give it a good sear on the exterior.
2. Sauté the Ham: Next, add the cubed, smoked pre-cooked ham to the pan with the chicken. Continue to sauté for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the ham is lightly browned on each side. This enhances its smoky flavor and gives it a pleasant texture. If you are using pre-cooked chicken leftovers, you can add them at this point along with the ham.
3. Combine All Ingredients: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced white onion, minced garlic, the entire 14 oz can of petite diced tomatoes (including their juices), 2 cups of chicken broth, the 1 cup of rinsed jasmine rice, 1 teaspoon of paprika, ½ teaspoon of dried thyme, the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper to the pan. Stir all the ingredients thoroughly to ensure everything is well combined and the rice is evenly distributed and submerged in the liquid.
4. Simmer to Perfection: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once it starts to bubble, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and let it cook for 18-22 minutes. Stir the casserole occasionally (every 5-7 minutes) to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan and to ensure even cooking and liquid absorption. The rice should become tender and most of the liquid should be absorbed by the end of the cooking time. Keep an eye on it towards the lower end of the time frame to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
5. Add Peas and Finish: Once the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed, stir in the 1 cup of frozen peas. The residual heat from the casserole will be sufficient to cook them through perfectly in just a couple of minutes. If you’re adding cheese, now is the time to stir it in, covering the pan again for a minute or two until it melts into gooey perfection.

Serve your hearty Ham, Chicken, and Rice Casserole immediately, garnished with fresh parsley or chopped green onions for a touch of freshness and color, if desired. Enjoy this incredibly comforting and flavorful dish!

Watch the Recipe Video

For a visual guide to making this casserole, watch Julia Pacheco’s detailed video. It’s a great way to see the steps in action and pick up extra tips directly from the chef. Seeing the process can build confidence and help you achieve perfect results!

This video is part of a series on easy one-pot meals, highlighting just how convenient and delicious this ham, chicken, and rice casserole truly is for a quick weeknight dinner.

Variations, Customizations, and Expert Tips

This Ham, Chicken, and Rice Casserole is incredibly forgiving and adaptable, allowing you to tailor it to your personal taste and what you have on hand. Here are some creative ideas to make it truly your own, along with expert tips for ensuring the best results every time you make this delicious comfort food:

Customization Ideas:

• Enhance with More Vegetables: Boost the nutritional value and add more textures by incorporating additional vegetables. Sautéed mushrooms, diced bell peppers (red, green, or yellow), corn kernels, or even a handful of fresh spinach (stirred in at the very end until wilted) would be fantastic additions. Consider adding a can of drained cream of mushroom or chicken soup for an even creamier consistency.
• Cheese, Please! For an even creamier and richer casserole with that irresistible gooey factor, stir in about 1 cup of shredded cheese. Sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even a blend of Italian cheeses would work wonderfully. You can either stir it into the casserole during the last few minutes of cooking or sprinkle it on top, cover the pan, and let it melt until bubbly and golden.
• Spice It Up: If you enjoy a little heat in your dishes, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other seasonings. A dash of your favorite hot sauce drizzled over individual servings before eating can also elevate the flavor profile.
• Herb Alternatives: While dried thyme provides a beautiful classic flavor, feel free to experiment with other dried herbs. Oregano, a touch of rosemary, or a blend of Italian seasoning could also be used. For a brighter, fresher taste, fresh chopped parsley or cilantro stirred in at the end can make a big difference. Adding a bay leaf during the simmering stage (remember to remove it before serving) can also add depth.
• Different Rice Types: While jasmine rice is recommended for its lovely aroma and fluffy texture, you can certainly use other long-grain white rices like basmati or regular white rice. If you prefer a whole grain option, brown rice can be used, but be aware that it will require more liquid (typically 2.5-3 cups broth) and a significantly longer cooking time (around 40-45 minutes).
• Protein Swaps and Additions: No chicken? This casserole is wonderfully flexible! Leftover cooked turkey works perfectly as a substitute. For a different flavor profile, consider adding cooked crumbled sausage (breakfast sausage or a mild Italian sausage) or crispy bacon bits for an extra layer of savory deliciousness.

Expert Tips for Success:

• Don’t Skip Browning the Meats: Browning the chicken and ham is a foundational step for this casserole. This process creates a depth of flavor (the Maillard reaction) that simply boiling or steaming the meats won’t achieve. It builds the savory base for the entire dish.
• Rinse Your Rice Thoroughly: Rinsing jasmine rice or any long-grain white rice removes excess starch from the surface of the grains. This is crucial for preventing the rice from becoming gummy and sticky, ensuring you achieve a light and fluffy texture in your finished casserole.
• Maintain a Low Simmer: Once you’ve added the liquid and covered the pan, maintain a steady, low simmer. Cooking at too high a heat can cause the liquid to evaporate too quickly, leading to burnt rice at the bottom and potentially undercooked rice on top. A gentle simmer ensures even cooking and perfect absorption.
• Adjust Seasoning to Taste: Both pre-cooked ham and chicken broth can vary significantly in their salt content. Always taste the mixture before adding the full amount of salt specified in the recipe. It’s much easier to add more salt later than to fix an overly salty dish. Adjust at the end if needed.
• Allow for Resting Time: Like many rice and casserole dishes, allowing the Ham, Chicken, and Rice Casserole to rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes after it’s finished cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the rice to firm up slightly. This makes it easier to serve and ensures a more cohesive dish.

Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips

This Ham, Chicken, and Rice Casserole is a satisfying meal on its own, offering a perfect balance of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables. However, it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides to round out your meal.

Serving Suggestions:

• Fresh Green Salad: A crisp, light green salad with a tangy vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the hearty and rich casserole. It’s a great way to add more fresh vegetables to your plate.
• Crusty Bread: A warm, crusty baguette or artisanal bread is perfect for soaking up any delicious, savory juices remaining in your bowl or on your plate.
• Steamed Green Beans or Asparagus: For an extra boost of green vegetables, a simple side of steamed green beans or roasted asparagus spears offers a fresh and healthy accompaniment.
• Roasted Vegetables: Complement the casserole with roasted root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or sweet potatoes for an even more substantial meal.

Storage and Reheating:

One of the best qualities of this ham, chicken, and rice casserole is how well it stores and reheats, making it an excellent option for meal prepping throughout the week.

• Storing Leftovers: Any leftover casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day!
• Freezing for Longer Storage: For longer preservation, you can freeze individual portions of the casserole in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking. Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Instructions:
  • Microwave: For individual servings, reheat in the microwave on medium power, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated through. You might want to add a tablespoon or two of chicken broth or water to prevent it from drying out.
  • Oven: For larger portions or to reheat for multiple people, transfer the casserole to an oven-safe dish. Add a splash of chicken broth or water, cover tightly with foil, and reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 20-30 minutes, or until warm and bubbly. The foil helps to retain moisture.

Nutrition Information

Here’s an approximation of the nutritional breakdown per serving for this Ham, Chicken, and Rice Casserole. Please note that these values are automatically calculated and should only be used as an estimate. Actual values may vary based on specific brands, ingredient quantities, and preparation methods.

This nutrition information is an estimate. It is based on the ingredients and quantities specified in the recipe and may not be exact. If you have specific dietary concerns, please consult a qualified health professional or nutritionist.

Final Thoughts on This Comforting Casserole

This Ham, Chicken, and Rice Casserole truly embodies the essence of comfort food – it’s warm, satisfying, and deeply flavorful. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, especially leftovers, can be transformed into a culinary delight that feeds both body and soul. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, an ingenious way to use up holiday ham, or just a cozy, hearty meal to share with loved ones, this recipe is guaranteed to deliver on taste and satisfaction.

We hope you enjoy preparing and sharing this wonderful casserole with your family and friends. Don’t forget to experiment with the variations and make it uniquely yours to discover new favorite flavor combinations. Happy cooking, and bon appétit!