The Ultimate Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

Introduction

The Ultimate Chicken Wild Rice Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish that combines tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and savory vegetables in a creamy sauce. Perfect for family dinners or potlucks, this casserole is flavorful and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked wild rice
• 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
• 1 small onion (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup mushrooms (sliced)
• 1 cup carrots (diced)
• 1 cup celery (diced)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup milk or heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Swiss)
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp melted butter (for topping)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready when your casserole is assembled.
2. Step 2: If your wild rice isn’t cooked, prepare it according to the package instructions, which usually takes about 45 minutes.
3. Step 3: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, carrots, celery, and sliced mushrooms. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften. Season with salt, pepper, and dried thyme.
4. Step 4: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, milk (or heavy cream), and shredded cheese until smooth.
5. Step 5: In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, combine the cooked wild rice, shredded chicken, sautéed vegetables, and creamy sauce. Stir everything together until evenly mixed.
6. Step 6: In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
7. Step 7: Bake the casserole uncovered for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden and bubbly. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use leftover roasted chicken for extra flavor and convenience.
• For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with cooked lentils or chickpeas and use vegetable broth.
• Add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for added brightness before serving.
• Swap the mushrooms for chopped zucchini or spinach to incorporate more veggies.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave or oven until heated through. This casserole also freezes well; freeze in portions and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use white rice instead of wild rice?

Yes, white or brown rice can be used as a substitute, though wild rice gives the casserole its distinctive nutty flavor and texture.

Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can assemble the casserole up to a day before baking. Cover it tightly and keep it refrigerated until ready to bake.

The Ultimate Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.6 from 662 reviews

A comforting and hearty chicken wild rice casserole featuring tender chicken, earthy wild rice, sautéed vegetables, and a creamy cheese sauce, topped with a golden buttery breadcrumb crust, baked to perfection.

• Author: Elias
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes (excluding wild rice cooking time of 45 minutes if cooking rice fresh)
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Casserole:

• 2 cups cooked wild rice
• 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
• 1 small onion (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup mushrooms (sliced)
• 1 cup carrots (diced)
• 1 cup celery (diced)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp dried thyme

For the Creamy Sauce:

• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ cup milk or heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Swiss)

For the Topping:

• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready when your casserole is assembled.
2. Cook the Wild Rice: If your wild rice isn’t already cooked, prepare it according to package instructions, which typically takes about 45 minutes.
3. Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, carrots, celery, and sliced mushrooms. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Season with salt, black pepper, and dried thyme, then remove from heat.
4. Make the Creamy Sauce: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, milk or heavy cream, and shredded cheese until well combined.
5. Assemble the Casserole: In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, combine the cooked wild rice, shredded chicken, sautéed vegetables, and creamy sauce. Stir everything until the mixture is well blended and evenly distributed.
6. Add the Topping: In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole to create a crispy crust.
7. Bake & Serve: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set.

Notes

• You can substitute wild rice with a blend of wild and brown rice if preferred.
• For extra flavor, add fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary to the sautéed vegetables.
• Use low-sodium soups and broth to reduce salt content if desired.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
• To make it gluten-free, substitute panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.

Keywords: chicken casserole, wild rice casserole, baked casserole, creamy chicken dish, comfort food, easy dinner recipe