Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole-make ahead for an easy weeknight meal
I’m a big believer in Paying it forward, in Karma, in Payback’s a Bitch, what goes around, comes around. You get the idea. It’s usually not hard to be kind to someone no matter what the circumstance.
Letting the person with just a few items go in front of you when you have a cart full at the grocery store. Smiling and asking if the cashier is doing well as you pay for your gas. Dropping off cookies or leftover cake in the teacher’s lounge (and really I just need to get it out of the house so I don’t eat it all.)
It’s little things, like holding a door for someone. When walking into the store, offering to return a cart from the lady who just put the last bag in her car (come on, I needed the cart anyway and it’s probably a good one.) I don’t even think about doing these things.
It’s volunteering for your child’s class, or for the ball team, or the local hospital.
Sometimes, it’s just picking up that empty soda can at the park and putting it in the garbage can.
I’m blessed and these things are all easy for me. I have the flexibility to help out at the schools. I’m healthy, I can bend over and pick up that can.
What I always find remarkable are those that give when it’s hard.
I’ve volunteered to work the concession stand for the High School football games. Proceeds from one booth go to the band, and the other goes to JROTC. I’ve got a child in both so I figure I should. Working the JROTC side Friday night, we had 7-8 kids helping out. They worked just as hard as the adults, the whole game. And it was hard work, I was exhausted. Yes, they are teenagers, they have more energy, but they’ve also been up since 5 am, been in school all day…by 11pm, when the game’s over, we’re all ready to drop.
As we’re cleaning up, one of the young men comes to me and asks if I think he’s a “good person.” Of courses he is, he’s part of the JROTC program, he worked hard all night, why would I think anything else. And I told him so. It turned out, he and his brother needed a ride home from the game or they would have to walk. I don’t have to tell you, I didn’t hesitate. I learned, driving them home, that they had stayed at the school, after school, from 3pm-6pm, just hanging out so they could help out at the game. They lived about 3-4 miles from the school, not far, but not in the best part of town.
Giving for these two wasn’t “easy.” But I honestly think, they didn’t know that. It was just something they could do to help out so they did it. I’ll be keeping my eye on them. I think that we’ll see great things from these young men because they just do what needs doing.
This casserole is so easy to put together and always a hit in our house. The mushrooms are optional but my son and I love then so, yeah, I always add them.
Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 2-3 chicken breasts cooked and shredded
- 1 1/4 cup rice
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can cream of celery soup
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
Instructions
- In a frying pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter, add in mushrooms and lightly saute. In a large bowl, combine soups, broth, melted butter and rice, stir until well blended. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 4 quart casserole dish.
- Sprinkle Chicken and sauteed mushrooms over rice mixture. gently stir in just to coat. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top.
- Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for about 1 hour or until rice is cooked.
Notes
This recipe can easily be divided into 2 casserole dishes and frozen if desired.
Recipe source ChocolateChocolateandmore.com
Need more ideas for dinner?
Cindy Burrell says
I love your blog and recipes. I really am liking the Chicken and Rice Casserole, but you forgot to put rice on the ingredients list and how much. Is it possible to fix this? Thanks so much!
Joan Hayes says
wow, I can’t believe I left that off, I need to stop writing so late at night, thanks fro catching that!
mommar6 says
How much rice do we need to add. Looks like a good casserole that I’d like to try!
Joan Hayes says
I’m so sorry I left the rice out of the recipe, it’s 1 1/4 cup and I’ve updated to correct. Thanks for catching that for me.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
So, this casserole looks delicious, but the actual post….
amazing. I absolutely love your philosophy of paying it forward and those two boys sounds extraordinary. So wonderful. Thanks for sharing <3
Joan Hayes says
Thanks Kayle, I really think with the attitude these boys have, they will achieve anything they want to in life.
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
Awww, what wonderful boys. I think it’s really sweet that one of them asked you if you think they’re a good person. It really warms my heart to know that there are still so many out there who give so freely of themselves and want to make sure that they’re doing good in the world. I always try to treat everyone with kindness. You never know what’s going on in their lives and the one kind word might change their day. Love this easy casserole too. I have a feeling I’ll be putting this into rotation this winter!
Kalamity Kelli says
One of my favorite dishes! I haven’t had it in years so I’m going to make this soon!
angie Farquhar says
Trying this recipe tonight!! Is the rice cooked or uncooked??
Joan Hayes says
Hi Angie, the rice is uncooked. Enjoy!
Rae says
Recipe looks awesome. Gonna try it tomorrow night before class.
Liz mackey says
Hello,what kind of rice do we use…thank you
Joan Hayes says
Hi Liz, I just used regular white rice.
Christine says
We made this recipe on Sunday. Very good. The only thing I would change is the amount of butter. I think 1 stick would be plenty. I can’t wait to try it again using different veggies. Thanks for sharing
Joan Hayes says
So glad you enjoyed it Christine, and yes, that’s one of the great things about this recipe, you can change it up to what you have available!
Rachael says
This is really good! I made it about a month ago, and am making again today! I used rotisserie chicken and topped with French fried onions (Only because I had them on hand, and didn’t have bread crumbs). Thanks for sharing, tastes just like the recipe my mother used “back in the day” when this recipe first became popular. I recommend using Uncle Bens rice.
Nancy says
Really. 1 cup of butter?
Joan Hayes says
yup, 1 cup of butter!
Linda pare says
Do u cover it while cooking?
Joan Hayes says
No, I don’t cover it.
Mitzi Herron says
Looks awesome!! I have boneless skinless thighs. Do they have to be cooked beforehand? Or can I just chunk them up & throw them in to cook with the rice?
Sarah says
I made a chicken and rice casserole recipe exactly like this tonight except for one ingredient but felt like it was missing something. I stumbled across your blog and found my answer seasoned bread crumbs would be perfect!