Even now, when I’m tired, stressed, or depressed, one of the things I crave the most is my mother’s chicken rice. A simple, unpretentious dish of chicken breast, white rice, and cream of mushroom soup that provides great comfort when you need it most.
Rice is an absolutely essential Southern staple that can be used in countless ways to make quick and easy meals, sumptuous dishes, and everything in between. You can make it creamy, spicy, crunchy, or sweet, and its versatility is endless. Therefore, it is convenient for making casseroles and baked dishes that require less cleanup and less time. This grain forms a solid base and adds weight to our favorite dishes, making all-in-one meals super easy to complete.
When your mom isn’t around and can’t make your favorite rice dishes, try these recipes. You might just find your family’s new favorite.
Victor Protasio.Food Styling: Rishon Hannahs; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
This simple and healthy casserole uses microwaveable rice as the starch.
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Props Stylist: Shell Royster
Made with Italian sausage and bottled marinara, this comforting stuffed pepper is easy to make on a weeknight.
Victor Protasio. Food stylist: Ruth Blackburn.Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
Legier than broccoli, broccolini is a delicious way to upgrade a classic chicken and broccoli casserole recipe for company.
Caitlin Bensel.Food Styling: Tory Cox
Don’t be fooled by canned soups. This recipe is loaded with fresh vegetables and herbs. Many of the ingredients may be in your pantry right now.
Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Shel Royster
Use leftover collard greens and pot licker to easily create this incredibly comforting dish.
Victor Protasio. Food Styling: Emily Neighbors Hall.Prop styling: Audrey Davis
This spinach and artichoke dip can be made with kale for dinner.
Caitlin Bensel.Food stylist: Tori Cox
The traditional version of this casserole involves baking the chicken in the casserole, but placing the chicken breasts on top allows the stuffing to absorb the juices and fat from the chicken.
Victor Protasio.Food Styling: Rishon Hannahs; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
One bite of this Buffalo Ranch Chicken and Broccoli Casserole might just be the same as a ranch-cured buffalo wing. The hot sauce pairs beautifully with the melted cheddar cheese and tender carrots.
Victor Protasio.Food Styling: Rishon Hannahs; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
This recipe takes a simple broccoli and cheese casserole to the next level with rich, sophisticated flavors. With elegant Italian flavors from mushrooms and thyme, this casserole is the perfect dinner dish.
Photographer Victor Protacio, food stylist Ruth Blackburn and prop stylist Christine Keeley.
If you love the crunchy top of your casseroles, this recipe is for you. Using a sheet pan will make the surface even more crispy and delicious.
Victor Protasio. Prop styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones.Food Styling: Emily Neighbors Hall
A Dutch oven makes this notoriously difficult recipe easy, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your meal.
Victor Protasio.Food Styling: Rishon Hannahs; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
This light casserole is perfect for busy weeknights. With a working time of just 20 minutes and a rich flavor that everyone will love, this recipe is as simple as it is delicious.
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Mindy Shapiro Levine.Food Styling: Tory Cox
This flavorful, spicy dish, characteristic of the Georgia coast, is a vibrant pilaf-like meal that can be served as a main dish or side dish.
Hector Sanchez
Using fresh ingredients is the key to taking this dish to the next level with a little sacrifice of time, and the crunchy breadcrumbs give it a delicious crunch.
Becky Luigert Stayner
This dish is perfect for the holidays (or any time!). You can make ahead and freeze for up to a month, or cook into attractive individual ramekins. The roasted almonds on top add a warm accent to the dish.
Ian Bagwell
This isn’t your mom’s chicken casserole. This grilled chicken, mushroom, and sage casserole features the unique flavor of fresh mushrooms, chopped shallots, and garlic. Sage adds warmth to the dish, and a little sherry gives it a distinctive nutty-sweet flavor.
Greg Dupree
Would you like to eat rice, chicken, and collards together? It doesn’t get more Southern than that. This flavorful one-pot meal is packed with delicious ingredients like ready-to-cook basmati rice, onions, celery, carrots, garlic, collard greens, and Cajun smoked sausage.
Antonis Achilles. Prop styling: Kay E. Clark.Food Styling: Emily Neighbors Hall
If you want an easy meal that doesn’t sacrifice any taste, this One Pan Hot Honey Chicken and Rice Dinner is a great place to start. Easy to clean up and use for leftovers, this recipe is sure to stay in your weeknight rotation.
Hector Sanchez
Okra is really delicious when fried, but it’s more versatile than you might think. This baked dish is easy to make, yet packed with flavor from tender sautéed okra, sweet corn, Cajun spices, and buttery garlic breadcrumbs.
Victor Protasio, Food Styling: Rishon Hannahs, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Fried rice with a dynamic flavor made with tomatoes, bacon, and green peppers.
Hector Sanchez
The chicken and wild rice work together to make this a full-fledged one-pan meal.
Hector Sanchez
This versatile dish can be made with your favorite vegetables, including kale, collards, and spinach. However, we prefer chopped kale because it has a better texture. Plus, use superfood ingredients to complete your casserole.
southern living
This hearty seafood casserole includes fresh shrimp, cheese, and rice (and a little white wine!). Fresh okra, crunchy green peppers, and a healthy dose of cayenne pepper give it a spicy Cajun flavor.
