I’m totally obsessed with rice bakes lately because they literally have everything you need in one dish – protein, carbs, and veggies all baked together into pure comfort food perfection. I love these rice bakes because they offer a balanced combination of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables all in one. I have a few other variations that I like to make for meal prep, as they’re great for batch cooking, so I wanted to create a fun new one. I’m a huge fan of Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, with their incredible combination of spicy chicken, tangy pickles, and creamy, sweet slaw. So, I thought, why not turn that into a rice bake? This Nashville hot chicken rice bake is basically a lower-carb, more wholesome version of that iconic sandwich, and honestly, it might be even better than the original!
Making Nashville Hot Chicken Rice Bake
This recipe is seriously so easy and perfect for meal prep. The best part? Everything bakes together in one dish, so cleanup is minimal and the flavors meld together beautifully.
First, you’ll want to start your coleslaw, as it needs time to marinate. Mix your slaw and green onions, then whisk together that tangy dressing with light mayo, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, spices, and a touch of powdered sugar. Toss it all together and let it chill in the fridge for 30-40 minutes while you work on the rice bake.
For the rice bake, you’ll combine your cooked chicken (rotisserie works great here!), frozen cauliflower rice, chopped pickles, onions, cheese, and instant rice in a big bowl. The magic happens with the Nashville hot sauce – whisk together mayo, light ranch, chicken broth, hot sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pickle juice. That pickle juice is key for that authentic Nashville flavor! Pour the sauce over everything and toss to coat.
Bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes, or until the edges are nicely browned. Top it with that tangy coleslaw and extra green onions, and you’ve got yourself a complete meal that tastes like your favorite Nashville hot chicken sandwich, but way more nutritious. Store leftovers separately from the slaw to keep everything fresh for up to 4 days!
More Rice Bake Ideas
Looking for more rice bake inspo? Try our Buffalo Chicken Rice Bake for a spicy, cheesy twist, the BBQ Chicken Rice Bake for smoky comfort, or the Elote Chicken Rice Bake for bold, street corn flavor—all easy, one-pan meals perfect for busy nights.
And don’t forget the Healthy Cole Slaw—a crisp, refreshing side that pairs perfectly with any of these hearty bakes!
Nashville Hot Chicken Rice Bake
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- 9×9 Baking Dish
- Oven
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken breast cooked and diced or shredded
- 3 cups cauliflower rice frozen
- 1 cup pickles chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion chopped
- 1/2 cup green onion chopped
- 1 cup fat-free shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup instant white rice uncooked
- 2 tbsp mayo
- 1/3 cup light ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2/3 cup hot sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp pickle juice
- 14 oz cole slaw mix
- 1/4 cup green onion chopped
- 2/3 cup light mayo
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1.5 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- Pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp celery seed
Instructions
- Combine slaw mix and chopped green onion in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
- Combine all dressing ingredients and whisk together until smooth. Adjust seasonings to taste.
- Coat slaw mix in dressing and toss to fully coat. Let sit in the fridge for 30-40 minutes prior to serving.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Combine chicken, cauliflower rice (still frozen), chopped pickles, red onion, green onion, shredded cheese, and instant rice in a large bowl.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients. Pour over chicken mixture and toss to fully coat.
- Pour mixture into a 9×9″ baking dish and bake for 30-40 minutes, until the edges are browned.
- Finish it off with cole slaw on top and extra chopped green onions.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat in the microwave for ~1 minute. Store cole slaw separately. Enjoy!
