If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate comfort food, Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole is about to become your best-kept secret. Creamy, savory, and bubbling with warmth, this family classic brings together simple pantry staples for a dish that tastes like a cozy hug. It’s the kind of meal you make once and end up craving all season long.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbeatable Creaminess: The combination of three types of creamy soup makes every bite velvety and irresistible, perfect for spooning up with a smile.
- Set-and-Forget Ease: After a quick prep, everything bakes together in one dish, filling your kitchen with the coziest aromas—just set it and let the magic happen.
- Ultimate Crowd Pleaser: Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole always gets rave reviews—from picky kids to hungry adults, it vanishes fast at any gathering.
- Lasting Leftovers: This casserole tastes just as delicious the next day, making it a wonderful make-ahead meal that gets better with time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
It truly doesn’t get much easier: just a handful of everyday ingredients come together to create the coziest casserole imaginable. Each one brings its own touch—whether it’s indulgent creaminess, savory flavor, or that perfect golden finish on top.
- Chicken breasts (3, cubed): Boneless, skinless chicken breast is lean and absorbs all the creamy goodness, adding satisfying protein throughout.
- Water (2 cups): Essential for perfectly fluffy rice and a luscious, creamy texture as everything bakes.
- Instant white rice (2 cups): Instant rice cooks quickly in the oven and soaks up all the flavors—no sogginess, just comfort in every bite.
- Cream of chicken soup (10.5 oz can): Brings rich, classic chicken flavor and dreamy creaminess.
- Cream of celery soup (10.5 oz can): Adds a subtle vegetal note and complexity to the sauce.
- Cream of mushroom soup (10.5 oz can): Balances everything with savory umami and a silky finish.
- Salt and ground black pepper: Season to taste, brightening up all the classic flavors.
- Butter (½ cup, sliced in pats): Layered on top for that signature golden crust and a rich flavor that seals the deal.
Variations
The beauty of Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole is in its flexibility—don’t be afraid to tweak it to fit what you have on hand, your favorite flavors, or anyone’s dietary needs. Just a tiny swap and you’ve got a fresh spin every single time.
- Make it cheesy: Add a generous sprinkle of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack over the top before baking for a bubbly, melty finish.
- Go veggie-friendly: Swap the chicken with lightly sautéed mushrooms, broccoli florets, or frozen mixed vegetables for a satisfying vegetarian casserole.
- Use brown rice: For extra nuttiness and fiber, try quick-cooking brown rice (just extend the bake time and check texture before serving).
- Add seasoning flair: Stir in a teaspoon of garlic powder, onion powder, or fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for extra depth.
How to Make Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole
Step 1: Prep the Dish and Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s piping hot and ready for baking. While it’s heating up, lightly grease the sides and bottom of your favorite casserole dish—nothing fancy, but it makes cleanup a breeze and keeps the casserole from sticking.
Step 2: Mix It All Together
In the prepared casserole dish, toss in your cubed chicken, water, instant rice, and all three cans of soup. Don’t be shy—stir well so each rice grain and chicken chunk is coated in that luscious mix. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. This is the point where it’s hard not to sneak a taste!
Step 3: Butter Up and Bake
Scatter the pats of butter all over the top. Those little golden islands ensure a rich flavor—and, as the casserole bakes, create a lightly crisp, buttery lid. Slide your dish into the hot oven and let it bake, uncovered, for 60 to 75 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the rice is tender and the chicken is thoroughly cooked (peek to see a golden, bubbling top).
Step 4: Rest, Serve, and Savor
Let Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole rest for 10–15 minutes before serving. This helps everything set up perfectly—so your servings hold together beautifully and no one burns their mouth on molten casserole!
Pro Tips for Making Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Rice Wisdom: Stick with instant rice for guaranteed tenderness—long-grain or regular rice won’t cook the same way in this dish!
- Perfect Chicken Bite: Cut your chicken cubes to roughly the same size so they cook evenly and stay juicy in every forkful.
- No-Stick Secret: Don’t forget to grease your baking dish well—the creamy base loves to cling as it caramelizes near the edges.
- Golden Top Finish: If you want a more deeply browned top, switch on the broiler for just 2–3 minutes at the very end—keep a careful eye so the buttered top gets perfectly toasty, not burnt.
How to Serve Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or sliced green onions right before serving adds a pop of color and a fresh bite that brightens this creamy casserole. If you’re leaning into comfort, a little freshly ground black pepper or even extra cheese works wonders on top.
Side Dishes
Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole is plenty hearty on its own, but a crisp green salad, steamed veggies (like broccoli or green beans), or a basket of soft dinner rolls make the meal truly complete. For an extra treat, add something tangy like cranberry sauce or pickled veggies on the side!
Creative Ways to Present
For cozy family gatherings, serve the casserole straight from the dish at the table—there’s just something inviting about a bubbling casserole on display. For parties or potlucks, you can spoon individual servings into ramekins or mason jars for an adorable, personal presentation. Leftover squares are also fabulous stacked into lunchboxes for meal prep magic.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once completely cooled, cover leftovers tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container. Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 3–4 days, making it a welcome sight for busy weeknights or easy lunches.
Freezing
This casserole freezes like a dream—just portion into freezer-friendly containers, label, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture and flavor.
Reheating
Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or pop larger portions back in the oven at 350°F covered with foil until hot and bubbly throughout. A splash of water or broth when reheating helps keep the casserole extra moist and creamy.
FAQs
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Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breasts?
Absolutely! If you have cooked or rotisserie chicken on hand, just shred or cube it and fold it in after mixing the other ingredients. Since it’s already cooked, you can reduce the bake time by about 10–15 minutes—just bake until everything is bubbly and the rice is tender.
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What if I don’t have instant rice?
If instant rice isn’t available, you can par-cook regular white rice for several minutes so it’s just barely tender, then use it in place of the instant rice. Just keep a close eye while baking, as you may need to add extra liquid or a bit more time to ensure it becomes perfectly soft and absorbs all the creamy goodness.
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Is it possible to make Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole dairy-free?
Yes—you can swap in dairy-free or vegan creamy soups and use a plant-based butter alternative. The result will still be deliciously creamy and satisfying, so everyone can dig in!
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How do I know when the casserole is finished baking?
The casserole is finished when the rice is tender, the chicken is fully cooked, and the top is golden and bubbling. Check by fluffing the edge of the rice and making sure the chicken pieces are white and opaque inside—if in doubt, bake an extra 5–10 minutes covered with foil.
Final Thoughts
If wholesome, creamy comfort is what you crave, you simply can’t go wrong with Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole. I hope you’ll make it soon, share it with the people you love most, and build new cozy memories around your own table. Enjoy every creamy, satisfying bite!
Print
Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hr
- Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Oven
Description
Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish that brings together tender chicken, fluffy rice, and creamy soups for a satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
For the casserole:
- 3 chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups instant white rice
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of celery soup
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup butter, sliced into pats
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and grease the casserole dish.
- Combine ingredients: In the casserole dish, mix chicken, water, rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of celery soup, and cream of mushroom soup; season with salt and pepper.
- Add butter: Place butter slices evenly over the top of the mixture.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1.25 hours until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
