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Hawaiian Haystacks Casserole

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A creamy chicken casserole with a base of rice and plenty of toppings to choose from such as black olives, crushed pineapple, cheddar cheese, green onions, chow mein noodles, and cherry tomatoes. A crowd and family pleasing meal!

Hawaiian Haystacks

I have a huge obsession with Hawaiian haystacks. You’ve all heard of them right? Some form of shredded meat on top of rice with a variety of different toppings to chose from? Otherwise known as: the best food ever.

My obsession for Hawaiian haystacks turned into creativity. In the form of trying to think of every possible way I could have more haystacks in my life. Haystacks in the form of a breakfast overnight oats kind of dish? Errr. Not so much. In the form of a snack or energy bite? Yeah, let’s not go there. A deliciously simple casserole? Ding ding! Winnnnner!

I adapted a traditional Hawaiian haystack dish into a cook-in-your oven, all-in-one-place kind of dish. And it’s pretty great if I do say so myself.

Start off by making up some rice. You can do brown or white, but traditionally haystacks are made with white. I used white rice for this dish.

The chicken gets mixed in with a cream base and placed on top of the rice. Shred some cheese on top and cover the casserole with foil. In to the oven it goes and cooks for about 25 minutes and then 5 minutes without the foil. And then it’s time for the FUN part! Also known as the toppings. And you can totally get crazy here. Like, seriously, anything goes! Well, I guess within the context of food…and wouldn’t taste too strange with creamy chicken and rice.

Okay so not anything, but lots of options here! Just pick your favorites.

The hubs loves olives, so he got his fair share (None on my piece of the casserole thankyouverymuch). Other toppings on this casserole included: drained crushed pineapple, crispy chow mein noodles (my personal fave), chopped green onions, sliced cherry tomatoes, and an extra helping of cheddar cheese.

You can place these toppings on the casserole as soon as it comes out of the oven. Orrrr if you have some picky eaters, you can place the different toppings in separate bowls around the table for people to pick and choose what they want on their casserole piece. Told ya it was totally kid friendly? Oh…or I guess I didn’t. But now you know!

hawaiian2

Now…if I can only think of more ways to get extra haystacks in my life…

5 from 1 vote
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Hawaiian Haystacks Casserole
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 
Servings: 4
Author: Chelsea Lords
Ingredients
  • 1 cup white or brown rice + water
  • 2 cups prepared rotisserie chicken shredded/chopped
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup chicken broth or stock
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp garlic salt
  • 1/4 cup sour cream, (I use fat free)
  • 3/4 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • Toppings of choice such as: black olives, cherry tomatoes, crispy chow mein noodles, drained crushed pineapple, green onions
Instructions
  1. Cook the rice according to package instructions.
  2. If baking the casserole right away, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

  3. In a small sauce pan over low heat, melt the butter. Slowly whisk in the flour until completely combined with no chunks (a thick dough will form). Stir over medium heat for 1 minute. Gradually (while whisking constantly) add in the chicken stock or broth and then the milk (add gradually). Add in the pepper, salt, and garlic salt.

  4. Stir over low heat until thickened.

  5. Remove from heat and stir in the sour cream and shredded chicken.

  6. Cover the bottom of an 8 x 8 pan with rice. Place the chicken mixture on top and cover with tin foil. If not cooking right now, place in the fridge.
  7. If cooking now, place in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil, cover with the cheese and return to the oven for another 5 minutes.
  8. Remove and place toppings of choice on casserole.

More delicious chicken meals:

One Pot Chicken Gnocchi

 

One Skillet Chicken Gnocchi

Crockpot Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup -- your favorite green chile chicken enchiladas in a creamy, delicious, and easy soup form

Crockpot Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup

Delicious and simple baked coconut-crusted chicken tenders with an easy four-ingredient honey mustard dipping sauce.

The BEST baked coconut chicken

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Comments

  1. Ummm…I have never had a hawaiian haystack?! I feel like I have been missing out on LIFE! Casseroles are my go to recipes, ’cause those babies be quick and easy, so I am loving a new twist! Plus, I love that I can get a little crazy with my toppings!
    Don’t worry, I won’t go too crazy. Although, chocolate makes everything better….right?

    Reply

  2. I love how colorful and fun this casserole looks! I’ve never had a Hawaiian Haystack but it sounds awesome and I know I would love it 🙂 Best part is I could totally get a little crazy with my toppings – pineapples, tomatoes and the crispy chow mein noodles for me too and maybe a little bit of toasted cashews too 🙂

    Reply

  5. Sooo I definitely didn’t know what a Hawaiian haystack was! haha I feel like I’ve been missing out on greatness! I love when something has a bunch of toppings – so good! I have a feeling I’d love these. But no olives for me either … I’ve tried to like them but just can’t do it!

    Reply

  6. I feel so left out, I’ve never heard of a hawaiian haystack before!!! luckily you’ve brought them into my life and wow, am I liking the way they look!!

    Reply

  8. I’ve never heard of Haystacks before, and obviously, I was missing out! This looks so good. I’m going to try making a vegetarian version:)

    Reply

    • That sounds awesome! You’ll have to let me know how it works out and what you do to make it vegetarian!

      Reply

  9. I’ve never heard of Hawaii haystacks before today but I am pretty sure that I need these in my life. I love how you can mix up the ingredients and add your favorite toppings. And your pictures are also so fresh and colorful, Chelsea!

    Reply

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