Chicken-Almond Supreme
Creamy chicken and rice casserole with almonds and mushrooms, baked to perfection, offering rich flavors and a satisfying texture ideal for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 3 cups diced cooked chicken ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds ⓘ
- 1 small can sliced mushrooms ⓘ
- 1 onion, chopped fine ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups cooked rice ⓘ
- 6 tablespoons butter ⓘ
- 6 tablespoons flour or cornstarch ⓘ
- 3 cups chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 small package grated Cheddar cheese, divided ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 1 cup toasted bread crumbs, divided ⓘ
Instructions
- Melt butter in a saucepan; add flour or cornstarch and stir until smooth.
- Gradually add chicken broth, mixing well and cooking until thickened.
- Stir in half of the grated Cheddar cheese until melted.
- Combine the cooked chicken, mushrooms, chopped onion, cooked rice, and remaining cheese in a large bowl.
- Spread half of the toasted bread crumbs in the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
- Pour the chicken mixture into the pan over the bread crumbs.
- Sprinkle with paprika and celery salt.
- Top with remaining bread crumbs and the rest of the cheese.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
- Serve hot over additional cooked rice if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider adding garlic or herbs like thyme to the butter mixture. If you want a gluten-free option, substitute flour with cornstarch and ensure your chicken broth is gluten-free. For a richer taste, use a combination of chicken and vegetable broth. You can also swap out the Cheddar for Gruyère for a different flavor profile.
Serving Suggestions
This Chicken-Almond Supreme pairs beautifully with additional cooked rice or a side salad for a complete meal. You can also serve it alongside steamed vegetables for a healthy touch. For a comforting twist, consider serving it with a bowl of Tomato Green Bean Soup(Prep. Time: 30 Minutes) for a cozy dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 20-25 minutes. Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave, covering it to retain moisture, but be cautious not to overheat.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken-Almond Supreme contains roughly 1571 calories, with 60g protein, 74g carbohydrates, and 121g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (120% of the Daily Value), calcium (94% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (61% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2496mg per serving (109% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use raw chicken instead of cooked chicken?
It's best to use cooked chicken for this recipe, as it ensures that the dish cooks evenly and thoroughly in the baking process. If you only have raw chicken, consider poaching or roasting it first before dicing and adding it to the mixture.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the Chicken-Almond Supreme a day in advance. Assemble the dish without baking, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, simply bake it as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if it's coming straight from the fridge.
What can I substitute for sliced almonds?
If you don't have sliced almonds, you can use chopped walnuts or pecans for a different texture and flavor. Alternatively, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds can provide a crunchy element while being nut-free, suitable for those with nut allergies.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).