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December 16, 2021

Favorite Company Casserole

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Favorite Company Casserole–use your Instant Pot to help you put together this old family favorite casserole. With rice, chicken, ham, mushrooms, vegetables, cheese and a creamy sauce you’ve got all the makings of a great dinner.

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chicken and rice casserole with ham and curry powder

Favorite Company Casserole

I came across a recipe called favorite company casserole. As I read the recipe I realized it was very similar to a casserole my mom used to make when I was growing up. The author stated, “My guests like this casserole even if they don’t usually like all the ingredients in it! For instance, people who don’t care for broccoli don’t mind it in this dish. And I like the way it’s so easy to make and serve when company comes.” My mom’s version had chicken, ham, broccoli and a creamy mayo/curry sauce. My version of the recipe is a slightly different take on the original but it is still a favorite to make when company comes for dinner. This recipe serves 10-12 (but can be halved). The ingredients can be swapped out and you can get creative with what you have at home in the pantry and refrigerator.

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instant pot chicken and rice casserole with mayo

Ingredients/Substitution Ideas

  • 1 cup chicken broth–to cook the rice
  • 1 cup uncooked brown rice–you can also use white rice, see below for how to adjust recipe
  • 1 (8 oz) package sliced mushrooms–these are optional but if you choose to leave them out then increase broth to 1.25 cups
  • 1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs–you can also use 1-1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 3 cups frozen chopped spinach or broccoli–you can use any frozen veggies that you like but spinach and broccoli are my favorite choices
  • 1 cup cubed ham–make hay and straw with leftover ham
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese–other choices are colby jack or mozzarella
  • ½ cup mayonnaise–if you don’t like mayo you can use 1 cup sour cream instead of half a cup of sour cream
  • ½ cup sour cream–or plain greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard–or plain yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp curry powder–or turmeric or if you don’t like it you can leave it out
  • 1 tsp lemon juice–for flavor
  • 1 (10.5 ounce can) cream of chicken soup–or cream of mushroom soup
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese–optional, you can also swap out for panko bread crumbs for a crispy topping

Instructions

  1. Prepare rice, chicken and mushrooms: Pour broth into Instant Pot. Sprinkle in the rice. Dump in the mushrooms. Place chicken into Instant Pot. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper.
  2. Pressure cook: Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 22 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
  3. Chop chicken: Move chicken to a cutting board and chop. 
  4. Add to baking dish: Stir the rice and mushroom mixture together and spread in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. 
  5. Layer the chicken, spinach, ham and cheese on top. 
  6. Creamy layer: In a small bowl stir together the mayo, sour cream, mustard, curry powder, lemon juice and cream of chicken. Spread the mixture over the top. 
  7. Bake: Bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes. Sprinkle on the parmesan cheese and bake for 5 more minutes. 
  8. Serve: Scoop onto plates and enjoy!

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curried chicken casserole

What kind of chicken can I use?

I cooked frozen, boneless skinless chicken thighs along with the rice. You can also use frozen or fresh boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Another choice is to use cooked and chopped rotisserie chicken (no need to pressure cook).

What kind of vegetables can I use?

I used frozen spinach because Greg hates when broccoli is included in any sort of casserole (PTSD from his childhood 😂). But my favorite is a bag of frozen broccoli. Some other choices might be frozen cauliflower or peas. Really any bag of frozen vegetables can be used.

What kind of rice can I use?

I used long grain brown rice. However you can also use white rice. If you do use white rice then use fresh chicken that is cut into bite size pieces so that the rice and chicken can cook at the same rate. Cook white rice for 5 minutes (10 minute natural pressure release) and use 1.25 cups of broth.

I don’t like mayo…what else can I use?

If you don’t like mayonnaise you can use 1 cup of sour cream instead of half mayo and half sour cream.

I don’t like curry powder…what else can I use?

You can leave out the curry powder. You can also substitute it with a teaspoon of turmeric.

Can I make this ahead of time?

The way that I would make this ahead of time is to complete steps 1-6 and then cover the baking dish with foil. Refrigerate until ready to bake. Then bake for 5 minutes with the foil on, remove the foil and bake for 25 minutes, add parmesan and bake 5 more minutes.

Can I make this in the slow cooker?

If you have cooked rice (2 cups cooked) and cooked chicken (about 2-3 cups) already prepared you can layer the ingredients into your 6 quart slow cooker and cook on high for 2-3 hours.

Can I make this in the Instant Pot with the air fryer lid?

If you’d rather bake this casserole in your Instant Pot that has an air fryer lid you can do that. You can use the bake setting at 300 degrees for 15 minutes and then add the parmesan and bake for 5 more minutes.

Can I halve this recipe?

This recipe makes a large 9×13 inch pan that serves 10-12 people. You can easily halve this recipe and bake in a 9×9 inch pan instead. Just halve all the ingredients and keep the same cooking time.

More Instant Pot Old Fashioned Casserole Recipes…

Instant Pot Mamaw’s Casserole

Instant Pot Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Instant Pot Cherokee Casserole

Instant Pot Southern Meatloaf Casserole

Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc. Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.

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chicken, ham and curry creamy sauce casserole recipe

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Favorite Company Casserole


★★★★★

4.5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: 365 Days of Slow and Pressure Cooking
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 22 minutes in pressure cooker/30 minutes in oven
  • Total Time: 50 minute
  • Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
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Description

Use your Instant Pot to help you put together this old family favorite casserole. With rice, chicken, ham, mushrooms, vegetables, cheese and a creamy sauce you’ve got all the makings of a great dinner.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup uncooked brown rice
  • 1 (8 oz) package sliced mushrooms
  • 1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 3 cups frozen chopped spinach or broccoli
  • 1 cup cubed ham
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 (10.5 ounce can) cream of chicken soup
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Pour broth into Instant Pot. Sprinkle in the rice. Dump in the mushrooms. Place chicken into Instant Pot. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper.
  2. Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 22 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
  3. Move chicken to a cutting board and chop. 
  4. Stir the rice and mushroom mixture together and spread in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. 
  5. Layer the chicken, spinach, ham and cheese on top. 
  6. In a small bowl stir together the mayo, sour cream, mustard, curry powder, lemon juice and cream of chicken. Spread the mixture over the top. 
  7. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes. Sprinkle on the parmesan cheese and bake for 5 more minutes. 
  8. Scoop onto plates and enjoy!

Notes

If you have cooked rice (2 cups cooked) and cooked chicken (about 2-3 cups) already prepared you can forego steps 1-3. 

  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Instant Pot and Oven

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chicken and rice casserole with ham and curry powder

*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

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20 Comments Filed Under: All Recipes, Chicken, Instant Pot, Ham, Rice, Other Methods Tagged With: casseroles

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Comments

  1. Linda Lorenzo says

    March 4, 2022 at 3:38 pm

    Trying this tonight but rating ahead of time as I know it will be great. I don’t see where you added the chicken back in when you bake this. i assume you layer it in with the ham & cheese?

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 5, 2022 at 8:31 pm

      It’s in step 5. I just corrected it!

      Reply
  2. Chrissy says

    March 3, 2022 at 3:16 pm

    Would it change the cooking time to use jasmine rice? Am I reading it correctly, if white rice is used five minutes but brown rice is 22 minutes? Besides instant rice, I only have jasmine, but would love to make this tonight (right now, haha) for dinner.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 5, 2022 at 8:44 pm

      Yes that is correct. Jasmine is 5 minutes

      Reply
  3. Regan says

    February 6, 2022 at 2:42 pm

    Do I thaw or cook the frozen broccoli before I add it the the casserole, or just put it in frozen?

    Reply
    • LV says

      February 6, 2022 at 4:33 pm

      Yes

      Smartass snark notwithstanding… pretty much anything frozen can be used without thawing inside the IP – just requires an adjustment to cooking time (both under pressure AND natural release time.
      Enjoy

      Reply
      • Regan says

        February 6, 2022 at 4:47 pm

        I must be reading the recipe wrong. It looks like there chicken, rice broth and mushrooms are all that are cooked in the instant pot. Then it is taken out and layered in the casserole to bake. Do I put the broccoli in the instant pot also?

        Reply
  4. Liser says

    January 4, 2022 at 9:56 pm

    Great, 3 day eating down the 9*13 dish. I used panko instead of parmesan, spray the top with avocado oil. Will make again, thank you!

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 5, 2022 at 2:37 pm

      You’re welcome! Thanks Liser

      Reply
  5. Trang says

    December 20, 2021 at 11:56 am

    What about using pasta instead of rice and baking it or slow cooker since I don’t have an instant pot. Thank You

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 24, 2021 at 5:06 pm

      Sure you could do that. Use cooked pasta and cooked chicken and bake in the oven.

      Reply
  6. Allison Pfeiffer says

    December 19, 2021 at 12:48 pm

    Also know as “Chicken Divan.”

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 24, 2021 at 5:10 pm

      Oh! Cool! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  7. Betty Cram says

    December 17, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    Looks good Do you ever do any gluten free recipes?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 17, 2021 at 9:17 pm

      yes here are the recipes I have: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/recipes/?fwp_dietary_restrictions=gluten-free

      Reply
  8. Laura Gale Dickerson says

    December 17, 2021 at 10:26 am

    What if you don’t have an instant pot?

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 17, 2021 at 9:22 pm

      You can use cooked rice and cooked chicken and make it however you like 🙂

      Reply
  9. Carrie Anne says

    December 17, 2021 at 5:39 am

    Sounds interesting! I’m like your husband with broccoli, when it comes to rice….😂 I’m good with it on the side but mixed in with things… Yuck!
    Any ideas on using potatoes in place of rice? Like maybe thick chunks (so they won’t cook down to nothing…) cut and added?
    Help 😃

    Reply
    • Karen says

      December 17, 2021 at 9:24 pm

      You could cut the chicken into cubes and potatoes into thick slices and pressure cook for 5 minutes. I would recommend putting the potatoes in a steamer basket above the chicken that cooks in the bottom.

      Reply
      • Carrie Anne says

        December 18, 2021 at 1:49 am

        Sounds like a plan. Thanks!

        Reply

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Hi, I’m Karen. I know that dinner time can be less than relaxing. Busy schedules and cranky kids and a hundred other things can lead to weariness when it comes to putting dinner on the table. I can help! I make homemade, family-friendly slow cooker and Instant Pot dinners and share the recipes with you.

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