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The Ultimate Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 76 reviews

A hearty and comforting Chicken Wild Rice Casserole featuring tender chicken, earthy wild rice, sautéed vegetables, and a creamy cheesy sauce, topped with a crispy parmesan breadcrumb crust. Perfect for a family dinner or potluck occasion.

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)
  • 1 ½ 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 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 cooked wild rice, shredded chicken, sautéed vegetables, and the 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

  • Use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
  • Substitute heavy cream with milk for a lighter sauce.
  • For gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.
  • Make the casserole a day ahead and refrigerate; bake before serving.
  • Add a handful of chopped fresh parsley for garnish if desired.

Keywords: chicken wild rice casserole, creamy chicken casserole, wild rice recipe, comforting casserole, baked chicken and rice

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