Easy Chicken-Rice Supper
A hearty and flavorful chicken and rice casserole with a creamy mushroom sauce, green peppers, and almonds. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, this dish combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and savory ingredients baked to perfection, offering a satisfying meal with rich textures and tastes.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup margarine or butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups milk ⓘ
- 1 cup chicken broth ⓘ
- 2 cups cooked chicken or turkey, cut up ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups cooked white rice or wild rice ⓘ
- 1/3 cup chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons chopped pimento ⓘ
- 1 (4 oz.) can mushroom stems and pieces, drained ⓘ
Instructions
- Heat margarine in a 2-quart saucepan until melted.
- Stir in flour, salt, and pepper.
- Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until bubbly.
- Remove from heat.
- Stir in milk and chicken broth.
- Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.
- Boil and stir for 1 minute.
- Stir in cooked chicken or turkey, cooked rice, green pepper, slivered almonds, chopped pimento, and drained mushroom stems and pieces.
- Pour into an ungreased 2-quart casserole or rectangular 10 x 6 x 1 1/2-inch baking dish.
- Bake, uncovered, in a 350°F oven until bubbly, about 40 to 45 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider adding a splash of heavy cream or substituting half of the milk with sour cream. If you prefer a healthier option, swap in olive oil for margarine and whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour. You can also use leftover rotisserie chicken for added flavor and convenience. This dish is versatile; feel free to toss in your favorite vegetables like peas or carrots.
Serving Suggestions
This Easy Chicken-Rice Supper pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. You can also serve it alongside crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. For a fun twist, try topping each serving with crispy fried onions or a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Explore more American recipes for additional meal ideas.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, place the cooled casserole in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 20-25 minutes until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions, covered, for about 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through for even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Easy Chicken-Rice Supper contains roughly 612 calories, with 8g protein, 58g carbohydrates, and 40g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (72% of the Daily Value), iron (29% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (22% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2142mg per serving (93% 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 brown rice instead of white rice in this recipe?
Yes, you can use brown rice, but keep in mind that it has a longer cooking time. Make sure the brown rice is fully cooked before adding it to the casserole, as the baking time will not be sufficient to cook it from raw.
What can I substitute for chicken broth?
If you don’t have chicken broth on hand, vegetable broth or even water can be used as a substitute. For added flavor, consider using a bouillon cube dissolved in water or homemade broth if available.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, and ensure that the chicken broth and any canned ingredients are labeled gluten-free. Check labels on all processed ingredients to ensure they meet gluten-free standards.
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).