Alright, let’s talk about this rice a roni casserole chicken thing, you know? My grandkids, they love it. Always yellin’ for it, “Grandma, make that chicken rice stuff!” So I make it, ’cause what else am I gonna do, right? Kids gotta eat.
First thing, you gotta get some chicken. Don’t matter much what kind, I usually just grab whatever’s on sale. Boil it up ’til it’s cooked, you know, not pink inside. Then chop it up, little pieces, so the kids don’t choke. Safety first, I always say. I mean, nobody wants a trip to the hospital, especially not with them little whippersnappers around.
Then, the rice-a-roni. Yeah, that stuff in the box. Follow the directions, it ain’t rocket science. Boil the water, add the rice and that little flavor packet. Smells kinda like chemicals, but the kids gobble it up, so who am I to complain? I remember when we just had plain rice, but these young folks, they always want somethin’ fancy.
- Get your chicken cooked and chopped.
- Make the rice-a-roni, just like the box says.
- Mix it all together. Easy peasy.
Now, here’s where you can get a little crazy, if you’re feelin’ wild. Sometimes, I throw in some cream of somethin’ soup. Cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, whatever I got in the pantry. Makes it all creamy and gooey, the kids love that. Other times, I might toss in some peas or carrots, try to sneak some vegetables in. They usually pick ’em out, but hey, at least I tried, right? And honestly sometimes I just dump a can of mixed vegetables in there. Saves me the trouble of chopping anything. I ain’t got time for all that fancy stuff.
Once you got everything mixed up, dump it in a pan. I use that big ol’ glass one, you know, the one I got at the church bazaar twenty years ago. Bake it in the oven ’til it’s bubbly and hot. How long? I dunno, ’til it looks done, I guess. Maybe 30 minutes? 40? Just keep an eye on it.
This chicken rice-a-roni casserole, it ain’t fancy, but it fills their bellies. And that’s all that matters, right? Keeps ’em from whinin’ about being hungry for a little while, at least. Gives this old woman a little peace and quiet. And sometimes if I’m feeling really nice I will sprinkle a little bit of cheese on top. The kids really love that extra bit, makes it feel a little special.
This chicken rice a roni dish is really easy to make, even someone like me can do it. And you can change it up however you want. If you don’t like chicken, use beef. Or pork. Or just don’t use any meat. Want more vegetables? Throw ’em in. Want it spicier? Add some chili powder. It’s your casserole, do whatever you want with it. That’s what I always tell those young mothers at church, you know? Don’t get so bogged down by all them recipes you can do your own thing. You know your family’s taste better than those fancy magazine writers. And honestly that’s probably why this dish is so popular. It’s simple, you can make it yours, and best of all? It’s cheap! Feeding a family these days costs an arm and a leg, you gotta make every penny count.
So, there you have it. My chicken rice a roni recipe. Not exactly gourmet, but it gets the job done. And honestly that is what really counts. Keeps those young ones full and happy. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go wash the dishes. Seems like that’s all I ever do these days.
This hearty casserole with rice a roni is good for busy families, busy people, or you know, just lazy people like me. So don’t go knocking it til you try it! And if the kids complain? Well just tell ‘em to eat it or go to bed hungry! That’s what my momma always told me.
Sometimes I make a big batch on Sunday and we just eat leftovers all week. Saves me from having to cook every night, and honestly, it tastes even better the next day, after all the flavors have had a chance to mingle. You know, like those fancy stews they talk about on the cooking shows. Except mine’s a whole lot easier, and probably a whole lot cheaper too. Anyways it’s really a simple delicious rice a roni meal.
Tags: rice a roni, chicken casserole, easy recipe, weeknight meal, budget friendly, hearty meal, family dinner, simple cooking, comfort food, oven baked.
