Indian Chicken Curry Casserole

Try This Easy & Delicious Chicken Casserole Recipe

This Indian chicken rice casserole is based on one of my most cherished family recipes, but this version is quite different in concept and flavoring. If you're looking for unique chicken casserole recipes and you like Indian food, you just might enjoy this one.

In looking for a different way to make our usual, much cherished family Chicken Rice Casserole recipe one night, I decided to try making an Indian version and it turned out pretty good! Like that one, it goes together quickly and can even be mostly assembled ahead of time.

Indian Chicken Curry Casserole

Ingredients:

2 to 4 chicken breasts or boneless thighs
1 onion, chopped
2 cups cooked basmati rice
Salt & pepper to taste
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. coriander
1 tsp. garam masala
1 tsp. turmeric
1 tsp. lemon juice

1/4 tsp. ginger
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
2/3 cup chicken broth
2/3 cup yogurt
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped salted cashews
1 to 2 T. chopped cilantro

Directions:

Cook the rice until done, following your usual routine or package directions. Cook the chicken either on top of the stove, by boiling in some water or in a casserole in the microwave with water. Either way, cook the onion with the chicken.

When the chicken is done, strain the broth out, retaining it and cut the chicken into bite-sized chunks. Combine all ingredients together (except the cilantro and cashews) in a 2-quart casserole.

Top with the chopped cashews and then sprinkle with cilantro. Then, bake at 325 for about 30 to 60 minutes, until hot and bubbly.

I've developed a number of ethnic variations on my original recipe. Be sure to check them all out at the bottom of this page! They're each delicious and meant to appeal to different tastes and moods, but they're all great.

Variations

Use brown rice or saffron rice
Use leftover cooked chicken or store-bought chicken breast strips
Change the seasonings to suit your palate
Use different vegetables

To keep the Indian food theme going, serve your casserole with Indian Naan bread.

There really are many ways you could go with this recipe, so once you've tried this one, the original, or any of the variations I've thought up, feel free to let go with your own imagination. You really can't go wrong, if you use the thrown together principles.