Description
Chicken Wild Rice Casserole brings comfort straight from Grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Hearty layers of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and nutty wild rice combine into a satisfying meal your family will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Grains and Base:
- 2 cups cooked wild rice
- 1 cup cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- ½ cup onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Warm your oven to precisely 350°F, preparing a welcoming environment for your casserole.
- If your wild rice is uncooked, rinse it thoroughly, then simmer 1 cup rice with 2 cups water until tender and fluffy.
- Grab a skillet and soften ½ cup chopped onion with 2 minced garlic cloves in olive oil for about 5 minutes, creating a fragrant base.
- Grab a large mixing bowl and combine your cooked wild rice, 2 cups shredded chicken, sauteed onion-garlic mixture, 1 cup cream of mushroom soup, and 1 cup chicken broth.
- Stir 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables into your mixture, then season with 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper until everything is evenly distributed.
- Transfer the entire mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it smoothly and evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the top if you desire a golden, melty finish.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for exactly 30 minutes until the edges bubble and the top turns a beautiful golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow your creation to rest for 5 minutes, letting the flavors settle and meld together before serving.
Notes
- Save time by using rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken strips for faster preparation.
- Swap dairy ingredients with dairy-free alternatives like almond milk cream soup and vegan cheese for lactose-intolerant diners.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary can replace dried thyme for a brighter flavor profile.
- For added protein and texture, consider stirring in sliced almonds or chopped pecans before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 275 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg