Green Chile Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole

Green Chile Chicken Rice-A-Roni Casserole
Serves 6

• 1 box Chicken Rice-a-Roni, plus water called for on package
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 (10-3/4oz) can Cream of Chicken Soup
• 1 (4.5oz) can diced green chiles
• 1 tsp cumin
• 2 cups pepper jack cheese shredded
• 2-1/2 to 3 cups (12 oz) chopped cooked chicken 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray.

Prepare Chicken Rice-a-Roni according to package directions.

In a large bowl, combine sour cream, Cream of Chicken soup, green chiles, cumin, 1 cup of pepper jack cheese and cooked chicken. Stir in prepared rice. Spoon into prepared baking pan.

Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of pepper jack cheese on top of casserole. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.


From whence it came: I told you I was repenting and not just pinning but actually trying the recipes I've pinned on Pinterest. And I am! Here's another really good one that I found on Plain Chicken. Whoever plain chicken is, they know how to make a really good chicken, rice and green chili casserole!

Why it's blogable: The first time I made this casserole The Spy was VERY complimentary about it. Here's the down and dirty truth about The Spy - he's kind of spoiled! I'm not saying he's married to the best cook in town, he's not, but he is married to someone who loves to cook and bake, so he gets lots of homemade meals and goodies. Spoiled! He's a good boy, I can count on him saying, "Thank you, this is really good," just about every night. But every now and then, he will be really complimentary about something I make.  This recipe is one of those somethings. I shouldn't have been surprised. The Spy grew up eating Rice-A-Roni and he's a fan. I didn't grow up eating it, but I've learned it has it's place in life, and in recipes. This recipe easy-peasy. I'm all about easy-peasy. And it freezes really well, too! I put half in one smallish casserole dish and half in another. Then we eat one and I freeze one. I love pulling something out of the freezer on a busy day or a day when I just don't feel like stirring it up.

Warning: I made this for my grandpunks, who aren't super picky eaters, and they didn't love it. They picked out the chicken and ate that but I think the green chilies and pepper jack cheese were a bit much for them. It's not very spicy, but they weren't super into it. But being the "whatever the punks want the punks get" kinda grandma, I just made them quesadillas and all was right with the world.

I hope you enjoy stirring it up!