If you need a practical homemade gift that actually turns into dinner, this Chicken and Rice Casserole in a Mug Mix gets the job done. You layer a simple dry rice mix with a can of chicken in a 1 1/2-cup mug, then the recipient adds water, butter, and cheddar for a quick single-serving casserole.
It is pantry-friendly, easy to assemble, and ideal when you want something more useful than another dust-collecting trinket. If you like make-ahead mug meals, you might also like Sausage and Rice Casserole Mix in a Mug or Tuna and Noodle Casserole in a Mug.
Ingredients
For the dry mix and gift assembly, you will need:
- 1/3 cup instant rice
- 1 teaspoon dried celery flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon dried onion flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- 1 (4 1/2 ounce) can chunk chicken
Attach these finishing ingredients to the gift tag directions:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese
The rice is the bulk of the mix, while the dried vegetables add flavor without making the mug fussy. The canned chicken keeps it hearty enough to pass for supper instead of a sad snack pretending to be a meal.
Assembly Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the instant rice, dried celery flakes, dried onion flakes, and dried chives.
- Mix well until the seasonings are evenly distributed through the rice.
- Spoon the dry mixture into a sandwich-size zip-top bag and seal it tightly.
- Place the can of chunk chicken in a 1 1/2-cup mug.
- Set the sealed bag of rice mixture on top of the can inside the mug.
- Decorate the mug if desired and attach the preparation directions.
Keep the dry mix sealed so the rice does not pull moisture from the air. A snug 1 1/2-cup mug matters here, because the can and bag need to fit without turning the whole thing into a balancing act.
How to Prepare the Casserole
- Empty the chicken and rice casserole mix from the bag into the mug.
- Drain the canned chicken and add it to the mug.
- In a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup water and 1 tablespoon butter to a boil.
- Pour the boiling liquid over the ingredients in the mug and stir well.
- Let the mug stand for 5 to 8 minutes so the rice can absorb the liquid.
- Top with 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese.
- Microwave just until the cheese melts, then serve hot.
That short standing time does the heavy lifting, so do not skip it unless crunchy rice is somehow your life goal. For a similar pantry-style dinner idea, Chicken Rice Bake in a Jar is another handy make-ahead option.
Helpful Tips
- Use instant rice only. Regular long-grain rice will not soften properly with the short steeping time in the directions.
- Drain the chicken well. Extra liquid can make the casserole looser than intended.
- Stir after adding the boiling water. That helps the dried onion and celery distribute instead of sitting in one stubborn little clump.
- Microwave briefly. You only need enough heat to melt the cheese, not turn the mug into lava.
For the safest leftovers, refrigerate the prepared casserole within 2 hours and keep your refrigerator at 40 degrees F or below, as outlined by the FDA food storage guidance.
Easy Variations
- Swap the cheese. Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a mild cheddar blend will melt just as well.
- Add black pepper. A pinch perks up the canned chicken without changing the basic mix.
- Stir in extra dried herbs. A pinch of parsley works nicely if you want a greener finish.
- Make a few at once. Multiply the dry ingredients for several mugs and bag each portion separately.
If you want a different flavor profile built on a similar shortcut, Veggie Rice Soup Mix in a Mug is another frugal pantry favorite.
Storage
Dry gift mix: Store the sealed rice-and-seasoning bag in a cool, dry place. For best quality, use it within 6 months. That is a conservative estimate based on the dried herbs and vegetables, which lose flavor before the rice does. Keep the can of chicken unopened at room temperature until needed.
Prepared casserole: Refrigerate leftovers promptly in a covered container and use them within 3 to 4 days. If you want to freeze it, wrap well and use within about 2 months for best quality. Reheat until hot throughout.
Serving Suggestions
This makes a simple single serving, so it works well on its own for lunch or a light supper. If you want to round it out, serve it with buttered peas, green beans, a side salad, or a piece of fruit. It also fits nicely into a care package or college-student gift basket because everything is straightforward and low drama, which is more than I can say for most dorm cooking.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Chicken and Rice Casserole in a Mug Mix
Ingredient |
Walmart Item |
Pkg Price |
Amount Used |
Cost Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Instant rice |
$3.42 |
1/3 C. |
$0.09 |
|
Dried celery flakes |
$1.68 |
1 t. ≈ 1 count ≈ 0.5 cup(s) |
$0.01 |
|
Dried onion flakes |
$2.98 |
1/4 t. |
$0.01 |
|
Dried chives |
$3.98 |
1 t. |
$0.37 |
|
4 1/2 ounce can chunk chicken |
$2.47 |
1 ≈ 1 can/count = 4.5 oz = 127.573 g |
$2.47 |
|
Water |
– |
1/2 C. |
$0.01 |
|
Butter |
$2.98 |
1 T. |
$0.09 |
|
Shredded cheddar cheese |
$1.97 |
2 T. |
$0.12 |
💸 |
Cost |
|---|---|
🧾 Total Batch Cost |
$3.17 |
👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving |
$3.17 |
📅 Walmart prices last verified August 26, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change. Learn how to calculate the cost of a recipe on your own!
🛒 Walmart Grocery List
- Instant White Rice, 14 oz
- Dried Celery Flakes, 5 oz
- Dried Onion Flakes, 8 oz
- Freeze-Dried Chives, 0.22 oz
- Canned Chunk Chicken, 4.5 oz
- Salted Butter Sticks, 16 oz
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese, 8 oz
Not sure exactly what this batch costs you per serving? Here’s how to break down the real cost of any recipe so you know before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken and Rice Casserole in a Mug Mix
No, not if you want the timing to work as written. Instant rice is precooked and dries quickly, so it softens during that 5 to 8 minute stand. Regular rice needs much longer cooking and more liquid, so you would end up with chewy rice and a mug full of regret.
Yes, that hot liquid matters. Boiling water starts rehydrating the rice and dried vegetables right away, while the butter adds flavor and helps the casserole taste finished instead of merely assembled. Warm tap water will not give you the same texture in the short standing time.
Use a mug that holds at least 1 1/2 cups, exactly as directed. That gives you enough room for the can of chicken and the dry mix when gifting it, and enough headspace when you prepare the casserole so it is easier to stir without sloshing dinner onto the counter.
You can. The cheddar mainly adds a creamy finish and a little richness, so the casserole will still work without it. If you skip it, add an extra teaspoon of butter or a spoonful of cream soup on the side if you want a fuller flavor.
Dried parsley or a small pinch of extra dried onion works best in a pinch. Chives give a mild onion note without taking over, so you want a substitute that stays gentle. Avoid anything strongly peppery or woody here, because this is a mug casserole, not a seasoning endurance test.
Plan on about 6 months for best quality if the bag stays tightly sealed in a cool, dry place. The mix is shelf-stable, but the dried herbs and vegetables lose flavor first, so the casserole tastes better if you do not let it linger in the pantry until next century.
Use leftovers within 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Once you add the chicken, butter, and cheese, it becomes a perishable cooked dish, so cover it and chill it promptly instead of letting it sit around at room temperature.
Yes, but make it in a saucepan or a larger microwave-safe bowl instead of one mug. Double everything, including the 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons butter, and 4 tablespoons cheddar, then let it stand until the rice is tender before heating just enough to melt the cheese.
The usual culprit is undrained chicken or not waiting the full stand time. Drain the can well, stir after adding the boiling liquid, and give the rice the full 5 to 8 minutes to absorb it. If it still looks loose, another minute or two of standing usually fixes it.
Keep it simple. A side salad, steamed green beans, peas, or fruit all work well because this mug casserole is rich enough already. If you are packing it as a gift, tuck in crackers or a small soup spoon and call it handled.
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🖨️ Print-Friendly Chicken and Rice Casserole in a Mug Mix
Chicken and Rice Casserole in a Mug Mix
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup instant rice
- 1 teaspoon dried celery flakes
- ¼ teaspoon dried onion flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- 1 4 1/2 ounce can chunk chicken
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese
Equipment
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the instant rice, dried celery flakes, dried onion flakes, and dried chives.
- Mix well and place the dry mixture in a sandwich-size zip-top bag. Seal tightly.
- Place the can of chicken in a 1 1/2-cup mug and top with the filled bag.
- To prepare, empty the mix from the bag into the mug.
- Drain the canned chicken and add it to the mug.
- In a small saucepan, bring the water and butter to a boil.
- Pour the boiling liquid over the ingredients in the mug and stir well.
- Let stand 5 to 8 minutes.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese and microwave until the cheese is melted.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
Notes
Prep time is an estimate based on measuring, bagging, and assembling the mug gift.
Cook time is listed as 0 minutes because the recipe uses only a brief microwave finish after standing.
Estimated dry mix storage: up to 6 months in an airtight bag in a cool, dry place for best quality.
Estimated prepared casserole storage: refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3 to 4 days.
i bring the water and butter to a boil in the mug.really quick and no pan to wash.
great idea!! i’m all about less cleaning! lol!
going to try the first recipe! you people are simply ingenious with all of these great ideas!! i’m so addicted to this site!
Love it Love it I’m going to take this to work for lunch.