Zesty Paula Deen Chicken & Rice Casserole Recipe Magic
Paula Deen’s chicken and rice casserole bursts with Southern charm, transforming humble ingredients into a culinary sensation.
Comfort food reaches its pinnacle in this soulful, one-pan marvel that whispers tales of home-cooked goodness.
Tender chicken nestles among fluffy rice, creating a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.
Creamy, golden layers promise a feast that warms both body and spirit.
Families will crave every savory spoonful, finding solace in its rich, hearty embrace.
Simple yet sophisticated, this casserole turns ordinary weeknight meals into extraordinary memories.
Your taste buds are about to embark on a delectable journey that celebrates the heart of home cooking.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Calories: 550 kcal
Servings: 5
What Goes Into Paula Deen’s Chicken and Rice Casserole
For Protein and Base:For Creamy and Binding Ingredients:For Texture and Crunch:Bakeware and Tools for Casserole
Cooking Instructions for Chicken and Rice Casserole
Melt butter in a skillet and sizzle onions until they turn soft and golden. Slide these aromatic onions into a large mixing bowl, setting the stage for a delicious culinary adventure.
Combine the sautéed onions with cream of celery soup, vibrant pimentos, crunchy water chestnuts, tender green beans, succulent diced chicken, creamy mayonnaise, fluffy rice, and sharp cheddar cheese. Stir everything together until the mixture looks like a harmonious comfort food symphony.
Generously coat a casserole dish with butter or cooking spray. Pour the mixed ingredients into the dish, spreading them evenly to ensure every bite is packed with flavor. Slide the dish into a preheated oven and let the magic happen.
Bake the casserole until it bubbles with excitement and turns a beautiful golden brown, typically around 20-25 minutes. Once done, let it rest briefly to allow the flavors to mingle and settle, creating a mouthwatering meal that’ll make everyone at the table smile.
Tips for Flavoring Paula Deen’s Chicken & Rice Casserole
Serving Ideas for Chicken and Rice
Storage and Meal Prep Instructions
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Comforting Paula Deen Chicken And Rice Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 5 1x
Description
Comfort meets convenience in Paula Deen’s chicken and rice casserole, a Southern classic that brings warmth to family dinners. Creamy, cheesy goodness combines with tender chicken and fluffy rice, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
- 3 cups diced cooked chicken
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 (10 ¾ oz or 305 g) can condensed cream of celery soup
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 (6 oz or 170 g) box cooked long grain wild rice
- 2 (14 ½ oz or 411 g) cans drained and rinsed green beans
- 1 (8 oz or 227 g) can drained and chopped water chestnuts
- 1 (4 oz or 113 g) jar pimentos
- 1 medium peeled and diced onion
- 2 tbsps vegetable oil butter
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Caramelize Base: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, sauté onions until translucent and golden, then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix cream of celery soup, pimentos, water chestnuts, green beans, diced chicken, mayonnaise, cooked rice, and cheddar cheese. Season with salt and blend thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Prepare Dish: Grease a 3-quart casserole dish, then pour the mixture into the dish, spreading it uniformly to ensure consistent cooking.
- Bake and Rest: Place the casserole in an oven preheated to 350°F and bake for 20-25 minutes. Look for bubbling edges and a golden surface as indicators of doneness. After removing from the oven, let the casserole rest for 3-5 minutes to allow ingredients to settle before serving.
Notes
- Sauté Secret: Caramelize onions slowly to unlock deep, sweet flavors that elevate the entire casserole’s taste profile.
- Texture Balance: Combine crunchy water chestnuts and soft rice to create a delightful contrast in every bite.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Shred cheddar cheese fresh for smoother melting and more intense flavor development.
- Resting Ritual: Let the casserole sit for a few minutes after baking to allow ingredients to meld and set properly, ensuring perfect serving consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Jessica Martinez
Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Organic Baking Techniques, Gluten-Free Recipe Development, Southwestern Dessert Specialties, Food Styling and Photography
Education
Santa Fe Community College (SFCC)
Jessica brings the sweet side to Urban Organic with her passion for baking and love for the Southwest. She trained at Santa Fe Community College and has built a career creating beautiful, gluten-free, and organic desserts that feel both nostalgic and new.
She believes baking should be fun, creative, and open to everyone, no matter your diet or skill level. Jessica’s recipes are simple enough to follow, but special enough to remember.