Quick Paula Deen Chicken And Rice Casserole Recipe

Paula Deen’s chicken and rice casserole represents the quintessential comfort food that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Southern home cooking reaches new heights with this one-pan wonder that promises warmth and satisfaction.

Families gather around the table, eagerly anticipating the rich, creamy layers of protein and grains.

Soft, tender chicken melds perfectly with fluffy rice, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Hearty ingredients come together effortlessly, making this dish a go-to solution for busy weeknight dinners.

Its versatile nature allows for creative modifications that suit individual tastes and available ingredients.

Each forkful delivers a delightful combination of comfort and nostalgia that feels like a warm embrace: dive in and savor the deliciousness.

Why Paula Deen’s Chicken and Rice Casserole is a Family Favorite

• Whip Up Comfort in a Dish: This chicken and rice casserole delivers pure comfort food magic with its creamy, cheesy blend that wraps you in warmth like a cozy blanket.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: With just 40 minutes from start to finish, this recipe transforms basic ingredients into a delicious meal that's perfect for busy families craving home-cooked goodness.
• Celebrate Texture Adventure: Experience a delightful mix of tender chicken, soft rice, crunchy water chestnuts, and melted cheese that creates an exciting playground of textures in every single bite.
• Customize Your Culinary Creation: Easily adaptable recipe allows home cooks to swap ingredients or add personal touches, making it a flexible dinner solution that never gets boring.

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Chicken and Rice Casserole

• Diced Chicken: Lean protein that adds substance and flavor to the casserole, preferably using boneless and skinless chicken breast for easy preparation.

• Onion: Aromatic base that provides depth and sweetness to the dish, fresh and finely diced for best texture.
• Green Beans: Adds nutritional value and a fresh vegetable component to the casserole.
• Water Chestnuts: Provides a crisp, unique texture and subtle nutty flavor to the dish.
• Pimentos: Bright red peppers that contribute color and mild sweet pepper taste.

• Cream of Celery Soup: Creates a rich, creamy base that helps bind the casserole ingredients together.
• Mayonnaise: Adds extra creaminess and helps to keep the casserole moist during baking.
• Cooked Rice: Serves as the hearty foundation of the casserole, providing substance and texture.

• Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds a sharp, tangy flavor to the casserole.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall flavor of the dish.

• Butter or Oil: Used for sautéing onions and preventing sticking in the cooking process.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Chicken and Rice Casserole

Step 1: Prepare The Onion Sauté

Heat of butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook for 5 minutes until they become soft and translucent. Transfer the sautéed onions to a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Combine All Ingredients

• Cream of celery soup
• Pimentos
• Water chestnuts
• Green beans
• Diced chicken
• Mayonnaise
• Cooked rice
• Cheddar cheese
• Salt (a pinch)

Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined.

Step 3: Prepare The Casserole Dish

Grease a 3-quart casserole dish. Pour the mixed ingredients into the dish and spread evenly across the surface.

Step 4: Bake The Casserole

Preheat the oven and bake the casserole for 20 to 25 minutes. The dish is ready when it becomes bubbly and heated through. Allow the casserole to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to help it set and enhance the flavors.

Tips for Perfecting Paula Deen’s Chicken and Rice Casserole

• Boost Cheese Richness: Sharp cheddar delivers a deeper, more complex flavor profile that transforms the entire casserole.
• Master Onion Technique: Sauté onions until perfectly translucent, releasing their natural sweetness and creating a robust foundational flavor.
• Ensure Perfect Moisture: Freshly cooked chicken maintains optimal texture, preventing dryness and ensuring each bite remains succulent.
• Blend Ingredients Strategically: Thoroughly mix all components to guarantee every spoonful carries balanced, harmonious flavors.
• Optimize Serving Presentation: Allowing the casserole to rest briefly after baking helps ingredients settle, creating a more cohesive and appetizing dish.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Chicken and Rice Casserole

• Freeze Flat for Maximum Space: Transfer cooled casserole into heavy-duty freezer bags, laying them flat to save precious freezer real estate. Press out excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal flavor preservation.
• Portion and Preserve: Divide casserole into individual serving sizes before storing. This strategy allows quick defrosting and reheating of exact portions, reducing waste and making meal prep a breeze for busy households.
• Vacuum Seal for Longevity: Invest in a vacuum sealer to extend the casserole's storage life. Vacuum-sealed containers protect against freezer burn and maintain the dish's original taste and texture for up to 3 months, keeping your comfort food ready whenever cravings strike.

Creative Twists on Paula Deen’s Chicken and Rice Casserole

• Seafood Sensation: Replace diced chicken with cooked shrimp or crab meat for a coastal-inspired version. Mix in diced bell peppers and use a splash of white wine for extra flavor complexity.
• Vegetarian Victory: Swap chicken with roasted cauliflower or cubed tofu. Add mushrooms and spinach for protein and extra nutrition. Use vegetable cream soup instead of cream of celery.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Incorporate diced green chiles, replace cheddar with pepper jack cheese, and add corn kernels. Include a sprinkle of cumin and chili powder to give the casserole a zesty southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Magic: Use rotisserie chicken, add artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt and include fresh herbs like oregano and parsley for a Mediterranean-inspired transformation.

Final Thoughts on Paula Deen’s Chicken and Rice Casserole

Paula Deen’s Chicken and Rice Casserole emerges as a comforting southern classic that whispers home-style warmth.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with hearty ingredients, creating a nostalgic culinary experience.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated such simple yet satisfying dishes that connect generations.

Cheese melts perfectly, binding chicken and rice into a harmonious masterpiece.

Families gathering around dinner tables will savor each delightful spoonful of this recipe.

Readers, dive into this culinary journey, share the recipe with loved ones, spark conversations in comment sections, and spread deliciousness across your social networks.

Paula Deen Chicken And Rice Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Paula Deen’s Chicken and Rice Casserole delivers comfort straight from Southern kitchens. Creamy rice, tender chicken, and golden cheese create a hearty one-dish meal that welcomes families around the dinner table with warm, satisfying flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 3 cups diced cooked chicken
• 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

Vegetables and Pantry Items:

• 2 (14 ½ ounces or 411 grams) cans drained and rinsed green beans
• 1 (8 ounces or 227 grams) can drained and chopped water chestnuts
• 1 (4 ounces or 113 grams) jar pimentos
• 1 medium peeled and diced onion
• 1 (10 ¾ ounces or 305 grams) can condensed cream of celery soup

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 (6 ounces or 170 grams) box cooked according to package directions long grain wild rice
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil butter
• 1 pinch salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the aromatic base by gently melting 30 grams (2 tablespoons) of butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Introduce finely chopped onions and sauté for approximately 5 minutes until they become translucent and develop a soft, golden hue. Carefully transfer the caramelized onions to a spacious mixing bowl.
2. Create the casserole mixture by combining cream of celery soup, vibrant diced pimentos, crisp water chestnuts, tender green beans, succulent diced chicken, creamy mayonnaise, fluffy cooked rice, and sharp cheddar cheese. Season with a precise pinch of salt to enhance the overall flavor profile. Thoroughly blend all ingredients until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
3. Prepare a 3-quart casserole dish by lightly greasing its surface to prevent sticking. Gently pour the assembled mixture into the dish, using a spatula to spread the contents uniformly, ensuring an even layer that will cook consistently.
4. Position the casserole in a preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Look for visual cues of bubbling edges and a golden surface, indicating the dish is heated through. Allow the casserole to rest for 3-5 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps the ingredients settle and makes serving easier.

Notes

• Resting time allows the casserole to stabilize, creating a more cohesive and easier-to-serve dish.
• Sharp cheddar provides a bold, tangy punch that cuts through the creamy texture and elevates the overall flavor profile.
• Thorough mixing ensures every bite delivers a perfect blend of chicken, cheese, and seasonings.
• Fully sautéed onions develop a sweet, caramelized undertone that adds depth to the casserole’s base.
• Freshly cooked chicken guarantees maximum moisture, tenderness, and a just-prepared taste that frozen or canned alternatives can’t match.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 539 kcal
• Sugar: 1.15 g
• Sodium: 794.35 mg
• Fat: 45.15 g
• Saturated Fat: 8.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 17.11 g
• Fiber: 0.82 g
• Protein: 18.11 g
• Cholesterol: 67.23 mg