This chicken, chestnuts, and rice casserole must be older than I am, because my entire family makes it. It’s so easy to make with leftovers, just be sure to stock some sliced or chopped water chestnuts.
We typically always have slivered or sliced almonds in the freezer (they stay so fresh this way). So, I had leftover rice and some rotisserie chicken, so I’m sharing this awesome, inexpensive recipe. Call this true comfort food, since it is delicious and easy to make. Just like so many of my other recipes, I love making dinner from scratch. How To Cook Rice.
In 2025, Mark and I decided to live off of our food storage, which includes our freeze-dried foods. I’m 76, and Mark will be 80 in June. What are we saving it for? Our kids will not want it, I can guarantee it. We are saving so much money each month, and it feels great. It’s also been a learning curve in using our commercially processed freeze-dried food daily. It takes more water than I had pictured. Please practice with some of your freeze-dried food. Dehydrated food is mainly good for soups; it requires much more water.
Kitchen Items You May Need
- A Good Knife
- Chopping Board or Silicone Cutting Boards
- Large Bowl
- Baking Dish (9 by 13-inch)
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- Onions: A must-have in most casseroles, they add a sweet, savory flavor that complements the chicken and vegetables. Chopped onions add texture and flavor to the dish.
- Celery: Celery adds a fresh, bright flavor to the casserole and a nice crunch. Chopped celery gives the dish a natural and wholesome texture.
- Sliced Water Chestnuts: Sliced water chestnuts are a unique and delicious addition to this casserole, adding a nutty and slightly sweet flavor. They also provide a nice texture to the dish.
- White Rice (cooked): A staple ingredient in many casseroles, providing a neutral base for the other flavors. Some cooks prefer long-grain rice for casseroles.
- Cooked Chicken: My favorite cooked chicken is rotisserie chicken (cooked and ready to chop). I generally buy the pre-cooked rotisserie chicken at Costco. I think they use chicken breasts, but they may include chicken thighs. Either way, the chicken has always been tender in all my recipes that call for it.
- Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise binds the ingredients together. Some cooks will use a creamy sauce, too.
- Sliced Almonds: They add the finishing crunch topping to any baked dish.
- Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a little touch of tartness to the casserole.
Chicken and Rice Casserole
Step One: Gather Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C). Gather all of your ingredients.
Step Two: Chop or Shred Chicken
Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces, chop the onion into bite-sized pieces, and chop the celery into bite-sized pieces. This makes cooking things fully easier, so you know they are done. If you’ve stored your chicken in the freezer, be sure to thaw it so the cooking time allows the casserole to come out hot and fully cooked.
Step Three: Combine All Ingredients
Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl, except the almonds. Stir the chicken and rice mixture until blended well. Set the almonds aside.
Step Four: Grease A Casserole Pan and Bake
Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. I usually use a cooking spray since it’s so easy. Scoop or pour the ingredients into the casserole dish or pan. Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, or until heated through. Add the almonds to the top of the casserole during the last 5-10 minutes of baking.
Finished Product
Chicken, Chestnuts, and Rice Casserole Recipe
Chicken, Chestnuts, and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken cut into bite-size pieces
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 1 chopped fresh onion
- 1 cup fresh celery chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1 can water chestnuts drained, sliced or chopped (approximately 8 ounces)
- 1 cup mayonnaise or miracle whip
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup almonds (slivered)
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).
-
Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
-
Chop the onion into bite-sized pieces.
-
Chop the celery into bite-sized pieces.
-
Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl, except the almonds. Stir the mixture until blended well. Set the almonds aside.
-
Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Scoop the ingredients into the baking dish.
-
Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, or until heated through. Add the almonds to the top of the casserole during the last 5-10 minutes of baking.
The History of Chicken, Chestnuts, and Rice Casserole
Chicken, chestnuts, and rice casserole is a comforting dish with deep roots in European and early American home cooking, where simple ingredients were combined to create hearty, nourishing meals. While it may feel like a classic mid-century casserole today, its origins stretch back much further.
Chestnuts have been a staple food for centuries, especially in France, Italy, and parts of Asia, where they were often used as a starch long before potatoes became widespread. In rural European kitchens, chestnuts were commonly paired with poultry and grains like rice to stretch meals and provide warmth during colder months.
When European settlers arrived in America, they brought these traditions with them. Chestnut trees once covered much of the eastern United States, making chestnuts an affordable and abundant ingredient. Combined with chicken—one of the most accessible proteins for farm families—and rice, this dish naturally became part of early American comfort food culture.
The casserole version we recognize today gained popularity in the early-to-mid 1900s, when home cooks began baking meals in a single dish for convenience. Rice casseroles became especially common during times of rationing and economic hardship, as they allowed families to feed many people using fewer resources.
Chicken, chestnuts, and rice casserole have long been associated with holiday meals and winter gatherings, thanks to the rich, nutty flavor of chestnuts and the heartiness of baked rice. It strikes a balance between rustic simplicity and subtle elegance, making it equally at home on a weeknight table or a festive spread.
Today, this dish is appreciated for its old-fashioned appeal, connection to seasonal cooking, and reminder of a time when meals were built around what was local, affordable, and nourishing.
What other ingredients can I add to change the flavor or texture of the casserole?
Some family members like to add different soups to the mixture to help expand or stretch the recipe. They have tried cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, and even cream of celery soup, since celery is a key ingredient.
Along that same line of thinking, they’ll add some sliced mushrooms to their cream of mushroom soup. Each of these will change the flavor as the tastes of the new ingredients come through.
To get more creative, consider adding some broccoli to increase the vegetable content of the casserole. You can add butter and/or cheddar cheese to make it more creamy, too. Instead of sliced almonds, consider topping the casserole with crushed Ritz crackers.
Another creative approach would be to replace the rice with some cubed potatoes, but then you’d have to call it chicken and potato casserole. (lol)
Add a spice flavor with salt, pepper, or garlic powder, all common favorites.
How do I store the leftovers?
I like to use an airtight container with a secure lid to store my leftovers, because it keeps the casserole from drying out. Be sure to put your container in the fridge after dinner to help maintain freshness.
When it’s time to serve the casserole again, just pop it in the microwave and heat it until it’s hot enough to enjoy.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
I wouldn’t recommend it because it contains mayonnaise. The texture would not be the same. I would cut the recipe in half, instead.
What can I serve with this recipe?
- Spinach Salad
- Tossed Salad
- Fruit Salad
- Fresh Fruit
- Fresh Vegetables
Easy Chicken Casserole Recipes
Final Word
Please let me know if you try making this easy chicken and rice casserole. I’m trying to share as many inexpensive recipes as possible. The price of groceries is so high that we have no choice but to cut back wherever we can. If you get discouraged going to the grocery store, you’re not alone. I won’t cave to the higher prices I see for certain foods. I have to stop buying them. It’s a fact, and I’m not alone.
The post Chicken, Chestnuts, and Rice Casserole appeared first on Food Storage Moms.
from Food Storage Moms
No comments:
Post a Comment