Chicken Spectacular - Master Cookbook Recipe # 312

Name: Chicken Spectacular - Master Cookbook Recipe # 312
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 8-10
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 3-4 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite-size pieces; 6 oz. box Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice (or 8.8 oz. packet of ready rice), cooked with seasonings; 10.5 oz. can cream of celery or chicken soup; 1 cup sour cream; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 15 oz. can French-style green beans, drained; 8 oz. can water chestnuts, drained and chopped; 2 oz. jar diced pimentos, drained and chopped; 1 medium onion, chopped; 6 oz. container French fried onions; 1 to 2 cups shredded cheese (optional)

True to its name, this casserole is a "spectacular" blend of textures and flavors. The combination of savory wild rice, crunchy water chestnuts, and French green beans creates a sophisticated dish that’s incredibly easy to assemble. It's a perfect choice for potlucks or family gatherings where you need a reliable crowd-pleaser.

This is recipe #312 in Tammy’s Master Cookbook.

Prep time: 15 minCook time: 1 hr Total time: 1 hr 15 min Resting Time: 15 min

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Ingredients

3-4 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite-size pieces
6 oz. box Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice (or 8.8 oz. packet of ready rice), cooked with seasonings
10.5 oz. can cream of celery or chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
15 oz. can French-style green beans, drained
8 oz. can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
2 oz. jar diced pimentos, drained and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
6 oz. container French fried onions
1 to 2 cups shredded cheese (optional)

Instructions

Prepare Rice: Cook the wild rice according to the package directions, ensuring you include the seasoning packet.
Chop & Mix: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, chopped chicken, onion, pimentos, water chestnuts, green beans, soup, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Stir until everything is well incorporated. (Do not add the fried onions yet!)
Assemble: Spray a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with cooking oil. Pour the chicken mixture into the pan and spread it out evenly.
Top: If using cheese, sprinkle it over the mixture first, then top the entire casserole with the French fried onions.
Bake: Bake at 350°F for 60 minutes.
Rest: Let the casserole sit for 15 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.

Notes

Tammy’s Tips The water chestnuts are the "secret" to this dish,they stay crunchy even after an hour in the oven, providing a wonderful contrast to the creamy rice and chicken. If you prefer, you can swap the French-style green beans for regular cut green beans. Also, if you plan on freezing this for later, wait to bake it until you are ready to serve to keep the topping crisp!