This southern-style chicken and rice casserole is the most savory dish around! With just a few classic ingredients, this casserole will take you only minutes to combine and it's ready to pop in the oven. Topped with a buttery and mouthwatering crust, this one is perfect for any get-together or potluck!
Ya'll, the southern girl is coming out in me...so get ready for this one! And it's not because I started off my sentence with the word "ya'll"! Just like my ham potato casserole, this homemade southern-style chicken and rice casserole SCREAMS southern comfort food! And let me tell you...it's beyond delicious!
I get a lot of requests from my catering clients to make this dish and it's a favorite at the potlucks I attend! This recipe is so near and dear to my heart. This recipe came from a lady by the name of Brenda Rowland. Brenda was the preacher's wife at the small church I attended in Tennessee. Growing up in the south in a Southern Baptist church, we had potlucks all the time. People would bring in the most wonderful homemade recipes! There was always a variety of casseroles and wonderful vegetable dishes. I remember people would bring in cooked green beans that were flavored with onion and bacon that had been slow cooked for hours! Creamed corn dishes that had a sweet and buttery taste with a hint of fresh ground pepper were always present at church potlucks! Oh and the bread rolls...homemade yeast rolls that melted in your mouth! But casseroles were never absent from our church potlucks! But this isn't just any casserole...
This Chicken and Rice Casserole recipe is special to me because Brenda was my mom's best friend. Brenda was always so caring toward me and she was just a fantastic lady! Brenda would always bring this dish to our church potlucks and when I was 16 I personally asked her for the recipe and she gave it to me. And I've kept it all these years! And now I'm sharing it with all of you because it's THAT good and it needs to be shared! It's absolutely a recipe worth repeating and passing down!
I still don't think you understand...people get 3 and 4 servings of this casserole. It's THAT good! They will be filling their plates and bowls up left and right! Good thing this casserole feeds 10-12 people!!
Brenda passed away about 15 years ago. She will always hold a special place in my heart and every time I make this chicken and rice casserole recipe, I think of her. I make this recipe a lot... I take it to family and friend get-togethers and to company potlucks. I also take it to people who aren't feeling well or who just had surgery so their families can have a warm, comforting dinner. Yes, it's that special!
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So, how in the world do you make Chicken and Rice Casserole? I'm glad you asked because there are so many different ways to make a Chicken and Rice Casserole but this is hands down the absolute best recipe out there. This Chicken and Rice Casserole is made with soup (both Cream of Chicken, Cream of Mushroom and Chicken broth) and it's super easy to make! It has a wonderful crust made from Ritz Crackers, butter and chopped onion. And, this Chicken and Rice Casserole can be prepared ahead and frozen to be eaten at a later time. Yeah for FROZEN MEALS! Oh, and since we are talking frozen meals...you can make my Lasagna into a frozen meal, too. Check that one out for sure!
We need to talk gluten-free for a minute. This Chicken and Rice Casserole is not gluten-free. I know...believe me, I KNOW! But I've tried to make a gluten-free version and it was just...well, not good at all. I've tried making 3 different gluten-free versions of this casserole and I just can't get it to taste good!
So - here's my challenge to you. If you can figure out HOW to make this a gluten-free Chicken and Rice Casserole that tastes amazing, let me know and I'll send you a prize! Because I'm the master of making traditional recipes into amazing gluten-free ones and ya'll, I can't figure it out with this one.
Although the name of this recipe really should be something like "Southern Style Chicken Casserole", I really wanted Brenda to be associated to this one because this one is from her. It's unique and it's comforting...and that was Brenda. So that's why I decided to call it "Brenda Rowland's Chicken and Rice Casserole".
For 20 years, that's what I've called it and the name just sticks! Anyone who eats this Chicken and Rice Casserole falls in love with it and I know that statement will hold true for you too! So make sure to share this one with your friends and family!
More Casserole Recipes
If you loved this southern-style chicken and rice casserole, make sure you try my chicken pot pie casserole! Not only is it savory, but it's also amazingly delicious and a huge crowd pleaser! And if you've never had a Tex-Mex casserole before, try making this easy beef enchilada casserole! It's an easy-to-make corn tortilla casserole that has layers of beans, beef, cheese, and the most amazing sauce. Another one to try is this layered mexican chicken casserole. We're talking so flavorful and so savory....you are going to love every bite!
Brenda Rowland’s Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Breasts (See the quick substitute in the Recipe Notes section)
- ยฝ onion, quartered
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยผ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1 can water chesnuts, sliced
- 2 bags "Boil in a Bag" Rice (White or Brown Rice - Your Choice)
- 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1 can Chicken Broth
- 1 teaspoon sage, ground
- โ cup Cheese Whiz (Buy a 15 ounce jar and only use โ cup in the recipe)
- ยฝ onion, finely chopped
- 1 Tablespon butter
- 2 Sleeves Ritz Crackers, crumbled
Instructions
- Cook the raw chicken breasts in a pot of boiling water until cooked all the way through. When cooking the chicken, you want to make sure you include the fresh quartered onions, garlic, salt and pepper. That will help season the chicken while it cooks.
- While the chicken is cooking, bring a separate pot of water to a boil and cook the "Boil in Bag" rice according to box directions. When rice is done cooking, drain and set aside.
- Once the chicken is done cooking, drain the water and let the chicken cool. Throw away the onion and garlic that was cooked in the chicken.
- When the chicken has cooled, shred the chicken by hand and place in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine all ingredients in the recipe, excluding the finely chopped onion, Ritz Crackers and butter, into the big bowl of chicken and stir together.
- Place chicken and rice mixture in a 9x13 pyrex dish.
- Bake on 350 for an hour, covered with aluminum foil.
- When the casserole is done remove from the oven and set aside. Take the finely chopped onion and sauté in butter in a small saucepan.
- While the onions are sautéing, crumble up the up Ritz Crackers by hand and place in a separate bowl.
- Once the onions and butter are sautéed, pour the onion and butter mixture into the bowl containing the Ritz Crackers and mix well.
- Remove the aluminum foil on the casserole and pour the cracker mixture on top of the casserole and broil in the oven on high until crackers are lightly toasted.
- Let casserole cool for 15 minutes and then serve.
Notes
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Nutrition
Jen
I look forward to making this. It sounds delicious! Iโm sure I am misreading something. Since instructions say to add all ingredients , including ritz crackers and chopped onion to the cooked rice and chicken. โฆ..where are the topping ingredients?
Thank you for clarifying.
Amanda Mason
Hi Jen!! Thanks for calling this out!! The Ritz crackers chopped onions are the topping. I made the correction in the recipe card to read as follows: "Combine all ingredients in the recipe, excluding the finely chopped onion, Ritz Crackers and butter, into the big bowl of chicken and stir together.ย " Let me know if that is more helpful.
Brenda
How many cups of dry rice is that?
Amanda Mason
1.5 cups of dry rice.
Amanda Mason
I will do that now! Thanks for the comment!!
Amy Nash
I love the backstory behind this casserole and the special connection to your mom's friend. It looks so good and I love that crumbled topping!
Amanda Mason
Thanks! yeah - it has sentimental value but MAN is it delish!! Try it...it's so good!
Matt Kearns
What a simple and delicious looking casserole this is Amanda! I will definitely be making this dish in the near future. Well done!
Amanda Mason
Oh, thanks Matt!! I hope you enjoy it!