Chicken and Tomato Casserole all made in one dish. Full of Italian flavors, perfectly cooked rice and chicken making a hearty, delicious meal.

Why Make This Chicken Tomato Casserole

This meal is full of pantry staples. I am guessing most of the ingredients are right in your pantry! Just a little fresh zucchini is needed to elevate the meal and add some texture and nutrition.

This casserole is so nourishing and hearty. It will be loved by everyone, even picky eaters. You can dump everything into the baking dish, set it in the oven and be on your way to other tasks. The meal is great for meal prep, it reheats great and keeps well. Also consider my Sheet Pan Honey Butter Chicken or One Pan Chicken And Orzo for other easy meals!

Ingredients Needed To Make This Recipe

Chicken Breasts. The protein in this dish is boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Cut them in small pieces to ensure they are spread evenly and cook quickly. Also consider trying my Maple Chicken if you have leftover breasts!

Marinara Sauce. Use your favorite brand, this is a big flavor component. Pasta Sauce will also work just fine. Try my Chicken & Tomato Soup for another cozy meal.

Zucchini. I love to add fresh chopped zucchini to Italian flavored dishes. It’s the perfect texture and sneaky veggie.

Rice. Any long grain rice will work well.

Capers. These add a unique salty flavor to the dish.

Seasonings. Salt, dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, black pepper, red pepper flakes

All other ingredients and measurements can be found in the recipe card below. 

Recipe Variations

Chicken Breasts. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if preferred.

Chicken Broth. Please use chicken, beef or veggie broth. You can also substitute water if needed however it wont offer as much flavor.

Cheese. Use any cheese of choice! I prefer Italian blend cheese. Mozzarella, pepper jack or any melty cheese will work well.

Capers. If you don’t have capers (or don’t like them) you can substitute chopped olives or skip this ingredient and add a pinch more salt.

Steps To Make This Recipe

Step One. Preheat the oven to 425º. Gather the ingredients. Start with cubing the chicken breasts into small pieces. I do about 1/2 inch cubes (I prefer my chicken smaller) It will cook even and quicker if you make it evenly cubed and smaller.

Step Two. Spritz the 9×13 casserole dish with oil. Add the uncooked rice evenly into the dish. Next, add the canned diced tomatoes, onions, capers and brine, zucchini garlic, marinara, broth seasonings and stir well. Add the cubed chicken next, stir well again.

*8×10 casserole dish will also work however it may take longer to cook through since the dish will be more crowded.

Time To Bake The Chicken And Tomato Casserole

Step Three. Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil. Add the dish to the preheated oven, center rack and cook for 35 minutes (it will cook for a total of 50-75 minutes). At 30 minutes, pull the casserole out, stir it well, cover it again and pop it back in.

Step Four. Bake the casserole for another 20 minutes. Pull it out again and stir well. At this point, grab a piece of chicken to check the cook (with a thermometer, should be at 165º) or slice it in half to see it’s it still pink. Also check the rice. It’s normal for it to cook slow in the beginning but don’t worry it will cook. After the second stir place it back in the oven, covered, and cook for another 10-15.

**Please note, rice varies from variation and brand, oven temps vary greatly and the casserole dish style and size will really vary the times as well! This is why checking the casserole is crucial.**

Step Five. Whenever I make this casserole it takes about 1 hour – 1 hour and ten minutes. Once the chicken is cooked and the rice is al dente and starting to stick together it’s about done!

Step Six. Once it’s about cooked, take it out once more, spread the shredded cheese and parmesan over the top and place back into the oven uncovered and let the cheese melt for 5 minutes. Pull it out.

Step Seven. Let the casserole sit, cool and set for about 5 minutes and serve! Top with chopped basil and more parmesan if desired. Enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

Recipe Tips

Rest Before Serving. Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after it comes out of the oven. This helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to serve without falling apart.

Check That Chicken Throughout The Cook! Be sure to keep an eye on the cook.

Watch the Baking Time. Be mindful of the baking time and be patient. Overcooking the casserole can result in dry chicken which is why it needs to be checked often. A lot of factors can change the cooking time drastically. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked (165°F).

Recipe Pairings

This recipe is so satisfying on it’s own but I love to pair it with a veggie loaded size like Grilled Zucchini Salad or Kale Salad With Roasted Red Pepper. You can also pair it with garlic bread or rolls.

Other Great Easy Chicken Meals

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