Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Chicken and Rice Casserole



I know that casseroles, especially ones like these, aren't exactly the trendiest meals right now, but how can I possibly turn my back on a dish that loved so much growing up. Not only that, but you can't deny the total deliciousness and simplicity that you get when you make this casserole. It calls for pretty much everything you already have in your cupboard, it take about five minutes to throw together, and I've yet to meet someone that doesn't like this combo of chicken and rice. My kids especially LOVE it. When you make this, try really hard to use chicken thighs, not breasts. I have made this with chicken breasts before, and it's not even close to as good as it is with chicken thighs. Since I have small children, I'll cut the chicken up before baking it, but I prefer it when the chicken thighs are cooked whole. And there is my two cents, ENJOY!

Chicken and Rice Casserole

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds chicken thighs
1 cup dry rice
2 chicken bullion cubes
2 cups water
1 package onion soup mix
1 tablespoon paprika (I just eyeball it)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 soup can full of water (can you tell this is a family recipe!)

Directions

Butter bottom of 9x13 casserole pan. Arrange dry rice at bottom of pan, lay chicken on top and sprinkle with paprika. Dissolve bullion in water and pour over chicken. Sprinkle soup mix over chicken and rice. Mix mushroom soup with 1/2 can water and pour over all. Cover and bake one hour at 350. Uncover and bake 30 more minutes at same temperature.


Kathy, a friend from Three on Food, was nice enough to offer me this really cool award. Thanks so much Kathy!! It's called the Premio Meme award, and with it I'm supposed to list seven things about my personality. Then I'm supposed to pick seven bloggers to pass this award to. It's hard to pick out attributes of my own personality, but I'll do my best, here goes!

1. Positive. Of course we all have down days, or go through experiences that are difficult, but overall I try my hardest to always look on the bright side of any situation. Life is just better that way!

2. Adventurous. Not in the crazy extreme sports kind of way, but I like to put myself out there every once and a while and do something a little scary and unfamiliar. I just ran a 5K on Saturday, something I NEVER thought I'd do, and loved it!

3. Bossy. I'm the oldest of five siblings, so I bossed them a TON growing up. Now I have a husband and two kids to boss, although that side of me is mellowing out quite a bit.

4. Friendly. I really love meeting people and making new friends, so I consider myself pretty outgoing.

5. Restless. I definitely enjoy quiet time, and I really look forward to my evenings after the kids are in bed, but I have to have something to do. It's hard for me to just sit, even if I'm watching a movie, I almost always have to be doing something else to keep my hands busy, otherwise I get bored! It drives my husband crazy and it kind of drives me crazy too. I blame my dad, he's restless too.

6. Curious. I really enjoy learning new things and getting educated whenever I can. I've been out of school for a while while so my husband can finish dental school, but I really look forward to continuing my education when he's finished.

7. Loving. My family and friends are so important to me and I love them with every sugar-soaked cell in my body. I don't know where I'd be without them!

So there you have it! I'd like to pass this award on to the following:

1. Donna, from My Tasty Treasures
2. Jennifer at Bread plus Butter
3. Heidi at Tried and True Cooking with Heidi
4. Coleen at Coleen's Recipes
5. MaryBeth and Dunkin Cooking the Semi-Homemade Way
6. Dar at Girlichef
7. Ingrid at 3 B's, Baseball, Baking and Books



All of these are fantastic blogs that should be visited often. Happy Wednesday everyone!

25 comments:

theUngourmet said...

I grew up eating this also! I have never been able to make it quite like my mom did! Yours looks like my moms. It's browned up just perfectly. I will have to try you recipe soon!

Cristine said...

YUM! I love chicken and rice! Congrats on your award!

Sara said...

Love casseroles - in fact, I'm making one tonight! This looks delicious.

Rebekah said...

yummy! you can't go wrong with this meal!! one of my faves!!!

Ulla said...

I think casseroles are coming back:) That looks really good! C

Gina said...

There is nothing better than good old fashion comfort foods. My mom always made them and we still have them from time to time. Yours looks so good, I will have to make it for my guys.

Gina from Eat at Bett's

Jenn said...

Thank you, Teresa!! I'm honored to be one of the recipients of this award.


Chicken and rice. Can't beat that combination!! Yum!!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Thanks!!! I'm at very busy today at work so I shouldn't be on here....trying to get done,I'll be back. The casserole looks good, never had it before and I loved learning more about you.
~ingrid

Katy ~ said...

Can't go wrong with chicken and rice! Homey meals are my favorite by far.

Kristen said...

I just made a chicken and rice casserole about a week ago and didn't blog it, it was so tasty - yours looks yummy

Pam said...

This looks like my kind of comfort food. I love chicken and rice.

Judy said...

When my kidsstill lived at home, I made something similar to this a lot. It tastes great and everyone loves it.

Reeni said...

I love chicken and rice, and especially one-dish meals!! Thanks for sharing all those tidbits about yourself.

Unknown said...

We love casseroles! This sounds tasty!!

Heather S-G said...

Aw...thanks Teresa, you're so sweet! I love casseroles...homey and delicious and not a thing wrong with them! Congrats to you on gettin this award, also :)

Coleens Recipes said...

We really enjoy recipes like this. I will certainly give this one a try. Thank you for the award!!

Kathy said...

So nice to get to know you better! Thanks for playing along! :o)

Lin said...

I've made something like this using pork chops instead of chicken. I'll bet I can get the fam to eat chicken thighs this way. I'm the only one around here who will eat dark meat, they prefer the breasts. Makes it easier for us to split up a whole chicken without fighting! I'm going to make this as chicken thighs are often on sale! Thanks, love your blog!

Netts Nook said...

Wow I remember having chicken that way looks and sounds great.

Anonymous said...

Hey, thanks for the great recipe. I am going to try making it today. Do you have any recipe that adds acai juice?

Donna-FFW said...

Thanks you teresa for this award, I am so happy you thought of me. I will post and pass it on soon. Your casserole dish looks amazing.. still waiting on your answer for your most fav cooking light recipe:) email me if u get a minute..

Anonymous said...

Teresa, I think we'll get along very well. We're quite alike, even the "bossy" type! I'm also definitely reaaaally restless!
rice casserole...this is very popular here in Asia, but they call it baked rice and usually have cheese all over on top. this might just be the only way I'll eat rice!

teresa said...

I don't have any acai berry recipes, I've never tried it, but it looks wonderful!

Donna, I'm going to rack my brain today and then get back to you!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

This looks fantastic. Casseroles make such great weeknight meals!

Elyse said...

Congrats on your award!! You have such a wonderful blog. This casserole looks like comfort food on a plate. YUMMY!