This delicious chicken and rice casserole is a perfect weeknight meal—quick, hearty, and easy to make. It features creamy textures, tender chicken, and a touch of melted sharp cheddar. With common pantry staples like green beans and rice, you can customize it with what you have at home for a comforting, adaptable dinner.
Recipe Ingredients:
- 1 (10 3/4 oz) can condensed cream of celery soup
- 1 (4 oz) jar pimentos
- 1 (8 oz) can drained and chopped water chestnuts
- 2 (14 1/2 oz) cans drained and rinsed green beans
- 3 cups diced cooked chicken
- 1 medium peeled and diced onion
- 2 tablespoons or vegetable oil butter
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 (6 oz) box cooked according to package directions long grain wild rice
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 pinch salt
How To Make Chicken And Rice Casserole?
- Sauté the onion: Heat 30 g / 2 tbsp of butter or oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine the ingredients: Add the cream of celery soup, pimentos, water chestnuts, green beans, diced chicken, mayonnaise, cooked rice, cheddar cheese, and a pinch of salt to the bowl. Mix thoroughly.
- Pour into the dish: Transfer the mixture to a greased 3-quart casserole dish and spread evenly.
- Bake and serve: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly. Let stand for a few minutes before serving for best results.
Recipe Tips
- Use freshly cooked chicken: For the best texture and flavor, use freshly cooked and diced chicken rather than pre-cooked or canned.
- Sauté the onions fully: Ensure the onions are translucent before adding them. This step adds more flavor to the casserole.
- Mix ingredients well: Combine all the ingredients thoroughly to distribute the flavors evenly throughout the dish.
- Choose sharp cheddar: Use sharp cheddar for a deeper, richer cheese flavor that balances the creamy base.
- Let it rest: Let the casserole sit for a few minutes after baking to set properly before serving.
How To Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: First, let the leftover chicken and rice casserole cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Let the casserole cool completely before placing it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, move the casserole to the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheat: Transfer a portion to a microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway, until fully heated.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 serving ( 1/8 of the casserole)
- Calories: 539 kcal
- Total Fat: 45.15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.5 g
- Cholesterol: 67.23 mg
- Sodium: 794.35 mg
- Potassium: 297.11 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 17.11 g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.82 g
- Sugars: 1.15 g
- Protein: 18.11 g
Check out More Recipes:
Paula Deen Chicken And Rice Casserole
Description
This delicious chicken and rice casserole is a perfect weeknight meal—quick, hearty, and easy to make. It features creamy textures, tender chicken, and a touch of melted sharp cheddar. With common pantry staples like green beans and rice, you can customize it with what you have at home for a comforting, adaptable dinner.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Sauté the onion: Heat 30 g / 2 tbsp of butter or oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine the ingredients: Add the cream of celery soup, pimentos, water chestnuts, green beans, diced chicken, mayonnaise, cooked rice, cheddar cheese, and a pinch of salt to the bowl. Mix thoroughly.
- Pour into the dish: Transfer the mixture to a greased 3-quart casserole dish and spread evenly.
- Bake and serve: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly. Let stand for a few minutes before serving for best results.
Notes
- Use freshly cooked chicken: For the best texture and flavor, use freshly cooked and diced chicken rather than pre-cooked or canned.
- Sauté the onions fully: Ensure the onions are translucent before adding them. This step adds more flavor to the casserole.
- Mix ingredients well: Combine all the ingredients thoroughly to distribute the flavors evenly throughout the dish.
- Choose sharp cheddar: Use sharp cheddar for a deeper, richer cheese flavor that balances the creamy base.
- Let it rest: Let the casserole sit for a few minutes after baking to set properly before serving.