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Recipes like this Cheesy and Creamy Amish Chicken and Rice are fairly common among the Amish. What I like about this one is that it doesn’t contain Velveeta cheese. Not that I mind Velveeta cheese, but it’s just so highly processed, or generically known as “melting cheese.
Store-bought melting cheeses just sort of caught on among the Amish during the 1970s and I don’t think it was a great influence on Amish cooking. Same can be said for canned soups. Highly processed and packed with sodium. like it because this recipe is more return to the roots when it comes to Amish cooking. There’s nothing processed in it. I mean you have the crushed butter flavored crackers, which are like Ritz, but if you wanted to be super traditional you could just take some saltines, butter them and toast them. The American cheese in this recipe isn't the individually wrapped American cheese (that is highly processed), but the from-the-deli sliced white or yellow American.
Rice and the Amish
Rice, historically, is not a dish that the Amish have embraced, going back to their roots in Europe in the 1600s. Rice is, however, the most common food in the world. And as the Amish have settled in the United States and they have opened up bulk food stores, it was found that rice traveled well, could be sold in large burlap sacks, and gradually rice caught on among the Amish. So you can go in the Amish stores today and find bulk sacks of rice. Amish people usually buy some and take it home and store it. Rice is great to bulk up casseroles, stews, soups and so on. So while rice has no historical connection to Amish cooking and culture, it’s become incorporated into their food repertoire.
Rice and Casseroles
Rice has especially found a home in Amish casseroles where they serve to add cheap bulk. I mean, think about it, most Amish families have 6, 7, 8, or more mouths to feed. Simply adding several cups of rice to a dish can serve to stretch it quite well. This Super Creamy Chicken and Rice casserole is a perfect example.
Cheesy and Creamy Amish Chicken and Rice pairs well with sliced tomatoes, corn on the cob, green beans, and, well, if you are like me, sliced and buttered bread.
I feel like I am always saying this, but Amish cooking by tradition doesn't usually have a bunch of spices. I mean, if you look at this casserole, it is a classic example, just a little seasoned salt and some garlic powder it terms of spice. That is true to Amish tradition, if you want to infuse more flavor and color, try paprika, thyme, or a little sage. Otherwise, enjoy!
🍲 Super Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked rice
- 1 /2 cup butter
- 1 /4 cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillion granules
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 /2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 /4 teaspoon pepper
- 5 cups cubed chicken
- 12 ounces American cheese
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1 1 /4 cups crushed butter-flavored crackers
📋 Instructions
1. Spread rice into a greased shallow 3 quart baking dish.
2. Set aside.
3. In a saucepan melt 1 /4 cup butter
4. Stir in flour until smooth.
5. Gradually add milk, boullion, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
6. Bring to a boil.
7. Cook until thickened.
8. Add chicken, cheese, and sour cream.
9. Stir until cheese is melted.
10. Pour over rice.
11. Melt remaining butter.
12. Toss with cracker crumbs.
13. Sprinkle over casserole.
14. Bake uncovered at 350 for 30 minutes or until heated throughout.
🍚 More Amish Rice Recipes
🖨️ Full Recipe
Cheesy and Creamy Amish Chicken and Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked rice
- 1 /2 cup butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillion granules
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 5 cups cubed chicken
- 12 ounces sliced American cheese
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1 ¼ cups crushed butter-flavored crackers
Instructions
- Spread rice into a greased shallow 3 quart baking dish.
- Set aside.
- In a saucepan melt 1 /4 cup butter
- Stir in flour until smooth.
- Gradually add milk, boullion, seasoned salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil.
- Cook until thickened.
- Add chicken, cheese, and sour cream.
- Stir until cheese is melted.
- Pour over rice.
- Melt remaining butter.
- Toss with cracker crumbs.
- Sprinkle over casserole.
- Bake uncovered at 350 for 30 minutes or until heated throughout.
Hi Kevin,
I really enjoy reading your articles and recipes!
Question: Isn't American Cheese (like the cheese singles) the same as Valetta cheese.
Yes, it could be..I was thinking the sliced from-the-deli white American cheese, I am going to clarify that...
I would like to try this but using macaroni in place of rice. What do you think?
Chicken and macaroni, that is a combination that works for me! I think you could use the recipe exactly the same just swap out rice for two cups of mac.