The Ultimate Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

Introduction

The Ultimate Chicken Wild Rice Casserole is a warm, comforting dish perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Packed with tender chicken, earthy wild rice, and a creamy cheesy sauce, this casserole offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures.

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 (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or homemade)
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or homemade)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Swiss)
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers)
• 2 tbsp butter (melted)
• ¼ cup 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 already 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, garlic, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened. Season with salt, black 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 well mixed.
6. Step 6: In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole.
7. Step 7: Bake the casserole uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use homemade cream soups for a fresher, less processed flavor.
• Substitute chicken with turkey or leftover roasted vegetables for a vegetarian twist.
• Add fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary to brighten the dish.
• For extra creaminess, swap milk with heavy cream or half-and-half.
• Use crushed crackers instead of panko for a different crunchy topping.

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 hot throughout. This casserole can also be frozen for up to 2 months—thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Bake it fresh when ready, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s cold from the fridge.

What can I use instead of wild rice?

You can substitute wild rice with brown rice, white rice, or even quinoa for a different texture. Keep in mind that cooking times and liquid amounts may vary.

The Ultimate Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 60 reviews

This Ultimate Chicken Wild Rice Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender chicken, nutty wild rice, sautéed vegetables, and a creamy cheesy sauce, all baked to golden perfection with a savory breadcrumb topping. Perfect for a family dinner or meal prep, this casserole combines rich flavors and textures in an easy-to-make baked dish.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes (rice) + 35 minutes (baking)
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 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 (or homemade)
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or homemade)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
• 1½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Swiss)

For the Topping:

• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (or crushed crackers)
• 2 tbsp butter (melted)
• ¼ cup 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 the package instructions. Wild rice takes about 45 minutes to cook, so plan accordingly.
3. Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt 2 tbsp of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
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 smooth and 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 together until well mixed.
6. Add the Topping: In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the casserole.
7. Bake & Serve: Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

• You can substitute the cream of mushroom and chicken soups with homemade versions for a fresher taste.
• Use heavy cream instead of milk in the sauce for a richer casserole.
• If you prefer, swap panko breadcrumbs for crushed crackers for the topping.
• Make sure the wild rice and chicken are fully cooked before assembling to ensure proper texture.
• This casserole stores well and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: Chicken casserole, wild rice casserole, creamy chicken casserole, comfort food, baked casserole