Print

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/the-ultimate-chicken-wild-rice-casserole-recipe/