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
Scale
- 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