Easy & Flavorful Chicken Fried Rice Bubble Up Casserole: The Ultimate Family Meal
Who says beloved Chinese flavors can’t be reimagined into a cozy, comforting casserole? While traditional Chinese cuisine might not be my everyday go-to, my absolute adoration for classic chicken fried rice sparked a “crazy idea”: to transform it into one of my ever-so-popular and fuss-free “bubble up” dishes. And oh, what a fantastic decision that proved to be! This Chicken Fried Rice Bubble Up Casserole is an absolute triumph – brimming with authentic, savory-sweet flavors, incredibly simple to prepare, and destined to become a new, much-requested family favorite.
Imagine all the delectable elements of your favorite chicken fried rice – tender, shredded chicken, vibrant, crisp-tender vegetables, perfectly cooked rice, and a rich, umami-packed sauce – all baked together under a golden, fluffy biscuit topping. This innovative casserole offers a wonderful symphony of textures and an unmatched ease of preparation, making it the ideal meal for any night of the week, especially when time is short. Furthermore, its versatility allows you to effortlessly incorporate extra vegetables, experiment with different proteins, or adjust the seasonings to perfectly suit your family’s unique tastes. It truly is a complete, satisfying meal, all cooked in a single dish, prioritizing convenience without compromising an ounce of that delicious, comforting flavor.
Beyond its irresistible taste, this recipe is also thoughtfully designed with a balanced lifestyle in mind. Each generous serving delivers approximately 260 calories and just 6 Freestyle SmartPoints (or 7 SmartPoints/PointsPlus using older calculators), positioning it as a smart and delicious choice for those actively managing their dietary intake. Get ready to awaken your taste buds, gather your loved ones around the table, and savor every bite of this delightful, stress-free culinary creation!
Chicken Fried Rice Bubble Up Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 7.5 oz pack of biscuit dough, these are the small packs that typically come with 10 small biscuits (e.g., from Walmart in the U.S.). If using a larger pack, weigh out 7.5 oz and ensure the dough is cut into small pieces.
- 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, diced
- 1 cup carrots, cut in small pieces (I used frozen but cooked them in the microwave prior to adding)
- 1/3 cup diced onion
- 8 oz cooked shredded chicken, about 2 cups
- 3 Tbsp teriyaki sauce
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 egg, cooked and scrambled
- 1 1/2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 284 ml can low fat cream of chicken soup, see picture for reference
Instructions
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Before you begin the assembly, ensure both your white rice and chicken are fully cooked and ready. This step is crucial for streamlining the preparation process.
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, generously spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
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In a large frying pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced garlic, carrots, and onions, and sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften and release their aromatic fragrance.
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While the vegetables are cooking, take your pack of 10 small biscuits and cut each individual biscuit into 6 smaller, roughly equal pieces. Arrange these biscuit pieces evenly to cover the entire bottom of your prepared casserole dish. These pieces will “bubble up” to form a delightful, fluffy crust.
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In a separate, small frying pan, quickly cook and scramble your egg until it’s fully set and broken into small, fluffy pieces. Set the scrambled egg aside for later.
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To the pan containing your sautéed vegetables, add the cooked shredded chicken, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, and the cooked white rice. Stir all these ingredients together thoroughly until everything is well combined and evenly coated in the savory sauces.
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Once your egg is cooked and scrambled, add it directly to your chicken and rice mixture in the large frying pan. Gently stir to fully incorporate the scrambled egg throughout the mixture.
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Finally, stir in the entire can of low-fat cream of chicken soup to the mixture. Mix everything very well, ensuring the soup is uniformly distributed and creates a creamy, flavorful base for the casserole filling.
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Using a large spoon, carefully scoop the entire chicken and rice mixture over the biscuit dough pieces in the casserole dish, spreading it out evenly to cover them completely.
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Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the biscuit dough pieces appear fully cooked through and are golden-brown underneath the mixture. You can gently lift a corner of the mixture to check for doneness. Once baked, remove from the oven, let it rest for a few minutes to set, then cut into 6 equal servings and enjoy your hearty and unique meal!
Notes
SP Freestyle: 6 per serving (calculated using Weight Watchers recipe builder)
SmartPoints: 7 per serving (calculated using a SmartPoints calculator)
PointsPlus: 7 per serving (calculated using a PointsPlus calculator)
Nutritional information per serving (including all vegetables):
Calories: 260
Fat: 5.4g
Saturated Fat: 0.6g
Carbohydrates: 39.2g
Fiber: 1.8g
Sugars: 3.6g
Protein: 14g
(Please note: Nutritional data provided is an approximation, typically calculated using tools like MyFitnessPal, and may vary based on specific brands, ingredient variations, and exact measurements used.)
Additional Info
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Fried Rice Bubble Up Casserole
This recipe isn’t just another meal; it’s a delightful culinary adventure that harmonizes convenience, deep comfort, and incredible flavor. Here’s why this Chicken Fried Rice Bubble Up Casserole is poised to quickly become a cherished and frequently requested dish in your family’s meal rotation:
- Effortless Preparation: With the main components like chicken and rice cooked ahead of time, the active preparation and cooking time for this casserole are surprisingly minimal. This means less time spent slaving over a hot stove and more precious moments enjoying a delicious meal with your loved ones.
- Unmatched Family-Friendly Appeal: The familiar, universally loved flavors of chicken fried rice, coupled with the fun, bubbly, and tender biscuit topping, make this dish an instant hit with both children and adults alike. It’s an excellent and approachable way to introduce exciting new textures and flavors without being overly adventurous for picky eaters.
- Highly Customizable to Your Liking: While our recipe provides a perfectly balanced and delicious base, don’t hesitate to unleash your creativity! Feel completely free to add more of your family’s favorite vegetables, switch up the protein (perhaps shrimp or diced pork?), or adjust the sauce and spice levels to perfectly match your personal preference.
- Budget-Friendly & Economical: By intelligently utilizing common pantry staples, along with any leftover cooked chicken or rice you might have on hand, this casserole transforms into an economical meal that never compromises on its rich, satisfying taste. It’s smart cooking at its best.
- Hearty, Wholesome & Satisfying: This robust casserole is thoughtfully packed with a balanced combination of lean protein, wholesome carbohydrates, and nutritious vegetables, ensuring a truly filling and deeply satisfying meal that will keep everyone at the table content and energized.
- Weight Watchers Friendly Option: Our recipe has been carefully designed to fit seamlessly into a balanced dietary plan, offering a wonderfully delicious meal option that boasts manageable calorie counts and favorable SmartPoints, making healthy eating both easy and enjoyable.
Expert Tips for the Perfect Bubble Up Casserole
To guarantee that your Chicken Fried Rice Bubble Up Casserole achieves perfection every single time you make it, keep these simple yet effective tips in mind:
- Pre-Cooked Ingredients are Absolutely Key: It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to have your chicken and rice fully cooked and cooled before you start assembling the casserole. For fried rice dishes, day-old or chilled rice often works best as it’s drier and less prone to becoming mushy or clumpy when mixed with other ingredients.
- Biscuit Dough Size Matters Significantly: Carefully cutting the biscuit dough into small, roughly uniform pieces (about 6 pieces per small biscuit) is essential. This ensures that they cook evenly throughout the casserole and create that delightful, airy “bubble up” effect. If the dough pieces are too large, they might not cook completely through or could form a dense, undercooked layer.
- Avoid Overcrowding the Sauté Pan: When you’re sautéing your vegetables, always use a large enough frying pan or skillet. This allows the vegetables to spread out in a single layer, enabling them to genuinely sauté and develop a slight char and deeper flavor, rather than steaming and becoming watery.
- Ensure Even Distribution: After preparing your flavorful chicken and rice mixture, make sure to spread it evenly and thoroughly over the biscuit pieces in the casserole dish. This critical step ensures that every single serving provides a harmonious blend of both the savory, aromatic fried rice topping and the soft, fluffy biscuit base.
- Foil is Your Best Friend for Baking: Covering the casserole tightly with aluminum foil for the majority of its baking time (typically 40-45 minutes) is a crucial step. This helps the biscuit dough cook thoroughly and evenly without the risk of the top layer becoming burnt or overly browned. If you desire a slightly crispier top, you can remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking, though it’s not strictly necessary for delicious results.
- Allow for Resting Before Serving: Just like many baked dishes, permitting the casserole to rest for a few minutes after it’s taken out of the oven is beneficial. This short resting period allows the flavors to meld together more deeply and helps the casserole set, making it much easier to scoop and serve beautifully.
Creative Customization Ideas to Make it Your Own
One of the most appealing aspects of this Chicken Fried Rice Bubble Up Casserole is its incredible adaptability. Here are some inspiring ideas to customize it and truly make it unique to your family’s preferences:
- Experiment with Various Veggies: Don’t feel confined to just carrots and onions. Feel free to explore other vegetables that you enjoy. Peas, sweet corn, thinly sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), sautéed mushrooms, or even a generous handful of chopped fresh spinach would integrate beautifully. Remember to cut them into small, manageable pieces and pre-cook them slightly, especially harder vegetables like broccoli florets, before adding them to the mixture.
- Power Up with Different Proteins: While chicken is a traditional and fantastic choice, you can effortlessly substitute it with other cooked proteins. Consider succulent cooked shrimp, tender diced pork, or even firm tofu for a delicious vegetarian rendition (you might need to adjust the sauces slightly to complement the new protein). Leftover Thanksgiving turkey is also an exceptional and flavorful option, making this casserole a wonderful post-holiday meal solution.
- Introduce a Spicy Kick: If your family enjoys a bit of heat, it’s easy to introduce some spice. Add a dash of sriracha sauce directly into the chicken and rice mixture, sprinkle in a pinch of red pepper flakes, or grate in a teaspoon of fresh ginger for a vibrant, warming zing. Adjust the quantity to your preferred spice level.
- Explore Diverse Sauces: If the combination of teriyaki and soy sauce isn’t exactly what you’re craving, consider other Asian-inspired sauces. A touch of rich oyster sauce, a bit of sweet and tangy hoisin, or even a splash of fragrant sesame oil can add an entirely new depth of flavor. Always taste as you go and adjust the sauces to your exact preference.
- Embrace Garnish Galore: A simple garnish can elevate both the appearance and taste of your casserole. A generous sprinkle of fresh green onions (scallions) or toasted sesame seeds just before serving adds a lovely fresh touch, a pleasant textural contrast, and an inviting aroma that signals a delicious meal awaits.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
This casserole is incredibly hearty and stands alone as a complete meal, but you can certainly pair it with a complementary side dish to further enhance your dinner experience:
- What to Serve With It: For a balanced meal, consider pairing this rich casserole with a light, crisp green salad tossed in a refreshing ginger-sesame dressing. Alternatively, a bowl of steamed edamame offers a healthy, protein-rich complement, or a clear, simple vegetable broth soup can lighten the overall meal.
- Storing Leftovers: Any delicious leftovers can be easily stored in an airtight container. Place them in the refrigerator, where they will keep fresh and flavorful for up to 3-4 days, making them perfect for quick lunches or dinners.
- Reheating Leftovers: For optimal results, reheat individual portions in the microwave until thoroughly warmed through. If you prefer, you can also reheat larger portions in the oven: cover the casserole with foil and bake at 300°F (150°C) for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until piping hot, being careful to ensure the biscuit layer doesn’t dry out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can I use brown rice instead of white rice in this recipe?
- Yes, absolutely! Cooked brown rice works wonderfully in this casserole and will add an extra boost of fiber and a nuttier flavor. Just ensure that, like white rice, it is fully cooked and cooled before you incorporate it into the mixture.
- What specific type of biscuit dough should I look for?
- The recipe specifically calls for a small 7.5 oz pack of biscuit dough, which typically contains 10 small, individual biscuits. Popular brands like Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Layers (ensure you get the smaller size) or comparable store-brand refrigerator biscuits work perfectly. The main objective is to use a dough that puffs up nicely and to cut it into small, bite-sized pieces for even cooking and distribution.
- Is it possible to prepare this casserole ahead of time?
- Yes, you can certainly do some prep work in advance! You can prepare the entire chicken and rice mixture up to a day ahead of time and store it securely in an airtight container in the refrigerator. On the day you plan to bake, simply cut your biscuits, assemble the casserole in the dish, and proceed with baking. This method significantly speeds up dinner on busy weeknights.
- Does this recipe have a spicy flavor?
- No, the base recipe, as written, is not spicy. The teriyaki and soy sauces provide a balanced savory and slightly sweet flavor profile. If you and your family enjoy a bit of heat, you are more than welcome to add chili flakes, a dash of sriracha, or a touch of a spicy Asian chili oil to the mixture to suit your personal taste preferences.
- How can I ensure the biscuit dough fully cooks through?
- The key to ensuring the biscuit dough cooks perfectly is to cover the casserole with aluminum foil for the majority of the baking time (about 40-45 minutes). This traps steam, which helps the biscuits cook evenly and become light and fluffy. You can gently lift a corner of the fried rice mixture towards the end of the baking time to check for golden-brown, cooked biscuit bottoms.
Conclusion: A New Take on a Classic Favorite
This Chicken Fried Rice Bubble Up Casserole is far more than just a simple meal; it stands as a delightful testament to how creative culinary thinking can beautifully transform familiar and beloved flavors into something entirely new, exciting, and effortlessly satisfying. It ingeniously takes the universally adored elements of classic chicken fried rice and seamlessly marries them with the comforting, convenient, and utterly delicious format of a bubble up casserole, culminating in a dish that is both innovatively fresh and profoundly gratifying.
Whether your aim is to quickly whip up an easy yet impressive weeknight dinner, bring a crowd-pleasing dish to a potluck gathering, or cleverly utilize any leftover ingredients from previous meals, this versatile recipe delivers on all fronts with remarkable consistency. Its straightforward instructions, adaptable ingredient list, and undeniably delicious outcome make it an absolutely perfect and indispensable addition to any home cook’s repertoire, regardless of their skill level. So go ahead, embark on this unique culinary adventure, give this exceptional casserole a try, and prepare to be utterly delighted by its irresistible blend of textures and tastes. Your family, friends, and even your taste buds will undoubtedly thank you for it!