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”! 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! 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!
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