Description
Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole is a comforting, creamy baked dish combining tender cooked chicken breasts, instant white rice, and a rich blend of cream of mushroom, chicken, and celery soups. This hearty casserole is topped with slices of butter and baked to perfection, creating a flavorful and satisfying family meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken and Rice
- 3 cooked chicken breasts, cubed or shredded
- 2 cups instant white rice
- 2 cups water
Soup Mixture
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 can cream of celery soup
Additional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, cut into slices
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Lightly grease the sides and bottom of a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make Soup Mixture: In a large bowl, stir together the cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, and cream of celery soups with 2 cups of water. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and blended.
- Add Chicken and Rice: Fold the cubed or shredded cooked chicken and the instant white rice into the soup mixture. Sprinkle in the salt and black pepper, then stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Carefully scoop the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Place the slices of butter evenly on top of the casserole to add richness during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 60 to 75 minutes. Bake until the rice is fully cooked and tender and the chicken is heated through, with the casserole bubbly and golden around the edges.
Notes
- Using cooked chicken breasts saves time and ensures the chicken stays tender.
- Instant rice helps reduce overall cooking time while absorbing the creamy soup mixture well.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste; you can add herbs like thyme or parsley for extra flavor.
- Butter slices on top melt and create a rich, golden crust—do not skip this step.
- If the casserole appears dry during baking, you can loosely cover it with foil or add a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture.
- This dish can be reheated well and makes excellent leftovers.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approximately 1/12th of casserole)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg