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–+ servings
Chicken Casserole Bake
This classic chicken casserole reflects the mid-20th-century American love for convenient, hearty meals built from pantry staples. Combining canned soups, rice, and chicken, it delivers a creamy, comforting dish that requires minimal prep but rewards with rich, savory flavor. Recipes like this became popular as families sought easy, filling dinners that could feed a crowd with little effort. The addition of dry onion soup mix gives it a signature depth, while the baked method allows everything to meld into a cohesive, satisfying casserole. It’s a dependable, no-fuss meal perfect for weeknights or potlucks.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 can cream of celery soup
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup uncooked white rice
  • 2 to 3 lbs chicken pieces (boneless, skinless, cut into serving sizes)
  • ½ cup boiling water
  • ½ tsp instant chicken bouillon
  • 1 pkt dry onion soup mix

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare Soup Mixture

  • In a bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, milk, and uncooked rice.

Step 2: Assemble Base Layer

  • Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Pour half of the soup mixture into the dish.

Step 3: Add Chicken

  • Place chicken pieces evenly over the soup mixture.

Step 4: Add Remaining Mixture

  • Pour the remaining soup mixture over the chicken.

Step 5: Prepare Bouillon Liquid

  • Mix boiling water with instant chicken bouillon until dissolved.

Step 6: Add Moisture

  • Drizzle the bouillon mixture over the casserole.
  • Gently mix slightly to distribute moisture.

Step 7: Add Topping

  • Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the top.

Step 8: Bake

  • Cover the dish with foil.
  • Bake at 325 to 350°F for about 2 hours until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.

Tips

  • Use brown rice but increase cooking time slightly
  • Add vegetables like peas, carrots, or broccoli
  • Substitute cream of chicken soup for a richer flavor
  • Use rotisserie chicken for quicker prep
  • Add shredded cheese in the last 20 minutes
  • Use low-sodium soups to reduce salt content
  • Swap milk for half-and-half for extra creaminess
  • Try adding garlic powder or paprika for extra seasoning

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 28gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 980mgPotassium: 420mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 450IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 2mg
Keyword casserole, chicken dinner, comfort food, easy meals, family dinner, retro recipes, vintage recipes
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