Chicken and Rice Potato Chip Casserole

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My mom has been making this Chicken and Rice Potato Chip Casserole for as long as I can remember. I believe that my Grandmother made it too. 

Chicken and Rice Potato Chip Casserole

When you are a kid, the potato chip part stands out and now that’s what MY kids call this yummy casserole: Potato Chip Chicken Casserole or Potato Chip Casserole for short. I call is a pleasure to make because it’s easy and everyone loves it!

Potato Chip Casserole is always a hit around here for many reasons. It’s easy, filling and affordable to make. It’s hard to find easy chicken casserole recipes plus this one takes things to new levels with the crispy crunchy potato chip topping. If you want to win over a teen with a hot chicken casserole recipe, this one is it!

This hearty meal is definitely one of my favorite go-to recipes—Potato Chip Casserole is perfect for a small gathering or expandable to serve at events like baby or bridal showers.

And this potato chip chicken casserole recipe is so easy to put together and makes a tasty meal that the whole family will love. I usually have the items on my grocery list when it’s on my meal plan schedule, but this is also a great recipe to make if you end up with any leftover rotisserie chicken.

Ingredients for Chicken and Rice Potato Chip Casserole

Obviously you can double (or triple) this recipe for larger groups, but here’s the basic recipe for a smaller group or family of 4-6 people: 

• 1 C. cooked rice (I use Minute Rice)
• 1 C. chicken, chunked in bite-size pieces (rotisserie preferred)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 C. mayonnaise
• 1 t. lemon juice
• ½ t. salt
• 2 hard boiled eggs
• Bag of Potato Chips

How to make Chicken and Rice Casserole with Crushed Potato Chip Topping

Prepare rice and hard boil eggs; cool eggs and set aside. Chop onion and dice celery; add to rice.

Coarsely chop chicken and add to rice.

Mix in mushroom soup, mayonnaise, and lemon juice, stirring until well blended.

Coarsely dice eggs and fold into fluffy white rice mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. I like to use my favorite seasoned salt in moderation for a bit more flavor.

*you could also try garlic powder or onion powder if you like. I think it’s perfect with just salt and pepper. 

Transfer to a casserole dish and refrigerate.

Remove from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes prior to baking to bring to room temperature. Prior to baking, top with crushed potato chips.

I place all of the potato chips in a ziplock bag and let the kids take turns and crushing them. This step is always a huge hit and my kids have been known to fight over who gets to crush the chips, lol! 

Once crushed, sprinkle crushed chips evenly over casserole. 

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. 

Keep an eye on your casserole. I love to have the top golden brown and crispy. 

 

Tips for Doubling Casserole Recipe

For larger crowds, I just increase everything proportionately (usually double); be careful in doubling the mayonnaise—you don’t want it soupy; and three eggs will work in most cases.

Consider doubling this recipe as it really does make a fabulous family meal, but is also wonderful reheated for lunch. If you do reheat it the next day, I suggest adding “new” crispy potato chips before you reheat, that will freshen it up a bit.

More Potato Chip Casserole Tips

As I mentioned above, this is a great recipe to make with leftover chicken so keep it in mind if you are menu planning and might have leftover chicken that needs a purpose.

My favorite use of this recipe is when we need to bring another family or neighbor a meal. It is always well received and chicken potato chip casserole always seems to be a hit with kids and adults a like. It’s easy to heat up and serve and it’s very filling. I try to keep the ingredients on my grocery list for when I’m at the grocery store, as it is a great go-to for so many different occasions.

You might find that you really like the kick that the lemon juice adds – and I use up to a tablespoon lemon juice at times.

This recipe calls for Cream of Mushroom Soup but I have made it with both Cream of Chicken Soup and Cream of Celery Soup – and while I prefer the cream of mushroom flavor, all three will work to create a creamy sauce.

I hope that your family will enjoy this hot potato chip chicken salad casserole as much as mine does, it is truly one of our favorite meals. It has great flavor and seems to fill everyone up. While we tend to serve this by itself, you could add a tossed salad or vegetables as a side.

Other Easy Meals for Family Dinners

Looking for more easy recipes? With a busy family (and two growing teens) I’ve had a lot of time to develop a list of favorite easy recipes for our family menu planning. Here are a few of my favorites: 

Sheet Pan Fajitas Recipe

Taco Pasta Recipe

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

Meal time is so important but it doesn’t have to be stressful, especially when you have your go-to favorite recipes that make shopping and meal prep easy.

Teaching your kids how to make your favorite recipes is also a bonus – not only can they help you make them now, but they’ll have favorite recipes to take with them when they are grown and cooking on their own! 

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