A classic copycat family favorite casserole of chicken, rice, and veggies cooked in a creamy sauce with a crispy Panko topping!
Today I want to share a copycat recipe I found a couple weeks back. I'm a big fan of a few of the Stouffers Entrees, mainly the Lasagna and the Grandmas Chicken and Vegetable Rice Bake. They're perfect when I'm pressed for time and I still want to get a hot meal on the table.
Now what I don't like is the size of the packages. The Lasagna is a pretty good size and feeds our whole family, but the chicken bake is quite small. Which is a shame because it's so good. If I purchase two than it's just way too expensive, so I was so excited to find a recipe online, but I did tweak the recipe more to my liking and the results were fabulous!
I know just about everybody has a can of condensed soup in their pantry. Canned soups are great for sprucing up so many dishes and entrees. Some people like using condensed soups, but others frown upon using them at all. I can say canned soups have changed a lot over the years.
Now what I don't like is the size of the packages. The Lasagna is a pretty good size and feeds our whole family, but the chicken bake is quite small. Which is a shame because it's so good. If I purchase two than it's just way too expensive, so I was so excited to find a recipe online, but I did tweak the recipe more to my liking and the results were fabulous!
I know just about everybody has a can of condensed soup in their pantry. Canned soups are great for sprucing up so many dishes and entrees. Some people like using condensed soups, but others frown upon using them at all. I can say canned soups have changed a lot over the years.
You can now purchase low sodium and fat free versions which is nice, because it give consumers a few alternatives. Not to mention the taste has improved dramatically. My favorite thing about condensed soups is how it can transforms just about any casserole into a creamy dreamy dish.. So, I guess you could say I'm a big fan of condensed soups. If you would like to use a homemade condensed soup check out my homemade cream soup recipe. The original recipe made two large baking pans, so I scaled the recipe down to one pan. . Let's get started on this delicious recipe.
To start cook the rice according to package directions and set aside. Rotisserie chickens are a huge time saver for this recipe. If using chicken breasts you will need to cook the chicken before baking the casserole. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 5 tablespoon of butter. Add the onions, garlic, and frozen peas and carrots.
Saute the vegetables until the onion is translucent. Remove from heat and set aside. In a large bowl, add the soups and milk, mix to combine. Add the shredded cheese, rotisserie or cooked chicken, vegetables and cooked rice, gently mix everything together. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Pour the mixture into two 9 x 11 disposable pans or a 13 x 9 inch baking dish. (I like to use disposable roaster pans w/lids). In a small bowl melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and mix with the Panko bread crumbs. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture evenly over the top of both casseroles. Place the casseroles in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 40 - 45 minutes or until the mixture is bubbly and the topping is lightly golden brown.
I have to say this is the best chicken and rice casserole I've had in a long time. I actually think it taste better than the Stouffers version. I know that is a bold statement but it was so good and creamy.
76 comments
@mommysusan1, yes I did add the panko bread crumbs to the second casserole before freezing. I don't know the results since this was the first time I made it. I won't know until I bake the freezer casserole.
I love your recipes. I've made quite a few and they've all been winners with my family of very picky eaters! Thank you!
It is just a blend of krafts shredded cheddar cheese. It's a triple cheese blend. You can also just use regular cheddar cheese. I fixed the ingredient so it's not confused.
It states to cover the casserole (unbaked) with Glad Press & Seal or plastic wrap. Then add two layers of aluminum foil. Using a sharpie label the pan with the name of the dish and the date. Add the plastic cover that comes with the pan and place in the freezer.
http://www.chickyscafe.com/2013/04/19/tried-true-thursdays-1/
To cook freezer casserole: Remove casserole from freezer, thaw and bake at 350 degrees for 40 - 45 minutes or until casserole is bubbly and heated through.
So I did manage to get 4 small casseroles out of it, one for eating last night and then 3 frozen in 8x8 pans since it's just me and my husband and that's about the right size for us (also about the same size as the Stoffer's version anyways).
Thanks for the recipe! I'm going to try to modify it to make the Broccoli & Cheddar bake from Stoffer's as well. That one's my personal favorite. Seems like it'd be easy enough with this recipe as a base.
It turned out quite well. I made a few changes: Since I'm not a fan at all of mushrooms, I eliminated the cream of mushroom soups and just added more of the cream of chicken soups. I used jasmine rice instead of brown or parboiled rice (converted rice was just too "welfare" for use such a wondrous meal; and I loathe the cheap and hideous taste of converted rice).
I used 9 large boneless/skineless chicken breasts, cooked and cubed up so that there was a LOT of chicken to balance out the portions.
This will be a regular thing for my freezer. I love these sumptuous stick-to-your-ribs meals, and was saddened when Walmart gave up carrying the original Stouffer's line.
Thanks for the recipe!
Frozen Broccoli or even a frozen California Blend would both be good in place of peas and carrots.
Tricia
I was concerned it would be too soupy so I increased the Jasmine rice by 1 cup and in the future I will add some additional veggies that I love..
It made 1 large 8" x 12" pan and one small pan. I plan to give the small 8" x 8" pan to my elderly mother.
For those of you who dislike mushrooms you could add Cream of Asparagus or Cream of Celery instead of the Cream of Mushroom.
If you like the Stouffers, you’ll love this.
It's just my wife and me now, so I divided this recipe by four in silicone 8X8 baking pans. I freeze 3 helpings following your instructions and use cardboard to layer between the 8X8s to make better use of limited freezer space.
This recipe is simple and so good for using those cream of something soups that seem tomultiply in my pantry. And, having an extra one to freeze when you're done is such a good feeling! The only hard part is waiting 40 minutes for it to bake. I'm putting this on my regular rotation!
Also, when using the Prigressive brand cream of mushroom did you make any adaptations? I believe it comes in a larger can.
Going to go check out your other recipes- thank you!