Chicken And Rice Deluxe
A hearty and flavorful chicken and rice casserole with green peppers, cheese, and a creamy, savory sauce, perfect for comforting family dinners and entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. butter ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. chopped onion
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise ⓘ
- 1 can cream of celery soup ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. salt ⓘ
- Juice of 1 lemon ⓘ
- 1 (6 oz.) package wild rice or long grain and wild rice, cooked ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 2 cups cooked chicken, cut in pieces ⓘ
- 1 (6 oz.) can French-style green beans ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sliced water chestnuts ⓘ
- Pepper to taste ⓘ
- 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Saute green pepper and onion in 2 tablespoons butter.
- Drain the green beans.
- Combine all ingredients in a greased 2-quart casserole dish.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C), uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Top with grated Cheddar cheese and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Tips & Substitutions
For an extra flavor boost, consider adding garlic or using flavored butter. You can substitute the cream of celery soup with cream of mushroom or chicken soup if preferred. To lighten the dish, Greek yogurt can be used instead of mayonnaise. Make sure the rice is well-cooked before combining with the other ingredients to ensure even baking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Chicken And Rice Deluxe with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Broccoli And Rice With Cheese for a comforting dinner. For a heartier option, consider serving alongside crusty bread or rolls. This dish also works well as a main course for potlucks or family gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel, heating in 1-minute intervals until warmed through. Alternatively, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until hot, about 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken And Rice Deluxe contains roughly 539 calories, with 10g protein, 33g carbohydrates, and 42g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1816mg per serving (79% 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 leftover rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Using leftover rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver and adds great flavor to the dish. Just make sure to shred or chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces before mixing with the other ingredients.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole a day ahead. Simply combine all ingredients and store it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s coming straight from the fridge.
What can I use instead of wild rice?
If you don't have wild rice, any long grain rice can be used as a substitute. Just adjust the cooking time according to the rice package instructions to ensure it's fully cooked before adding it to the casserole.
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).