Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

This Chicken Wild Rice Casserole is the definition of comfort in a dish, a complete meal-in-one that’s both hearty and wonderfully creamy. It’s a hug in a bowl, perfect for those evenings when you crave something truly satisfying. This recipe brings together tender chicken, a nutty wild rice blend, and fresh vegetables in a savory homemade sauce.

I’ll always remember Dad coming in from the cold, his face lighting up at the cozy aroma of his favorite Sunday supper baking. This hearty chicken casserole was our warm welcome, a dish filled with simple love and shared stories.

Why I Cherish This Recipe

• A Meal for the Whole Family: This Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for a cozy family dinner.
• Customizable: Feel free to add other vegetables like broccoli or peas to make it your own.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

What Goes Into Our Casserole

For the Casserole:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 cup wild rice blend, rinsed
• 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)

For the Creamy Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar (for topping, optional)

My Favorite Tools for This Dish

• A Large Oven-Safe Skillet: I find using a large oven-safe skillet makes this a wonderful one-pot meal, which means less time cleaning up and more time with family.
• A Good Whisk: A good whisk is your best friend for making a perfectly smooth and creamy sauce without any lumps.

Putting It All Together with Love

Step 1: A Gentle Sauté to Start

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots and sauté for 4–5 minutes until they’re just starting to get tender. If you’re using mushrooms, add them in and cook for another 2 minutes. I love the smell of these vegetables cooking; it always reminds me that a wonderful meal is on its way.

Step 2: Letting the Rice Drink Up the Broth

Stir in the rinsed wild rice blend and let it toast for a minute to bring out its nutty flavor. Pour in the chicken broth, then add the thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring it all to a simmer, cover the skillet tightly, and bake for 45–50 minutes. You’re looking for the rice to be just tender and for most of the liquid to be absorbed.

Step 3: The Secret to That Creamy Sauce

While the rice is baking, you can make the lovely creamy sauce. In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute, this little step is what helps thicken the sauce beautifully. Gradually whisk in the milk and let it simmer until it thickens. Once it’s off the heat, whisk in the sour cream and Parmesan cheese until it’s smooth.

Step 4: Bringing All the Goodness Together

Carefully take the skillet out of the oven. Stir in the cooked chicken and the creamy sauce until every grain of rice and piece of chicken is coated. This is a good time to give it a little taste and see if it needs any more salt or pepper.

Step 5: Baking Until Bubbly and Golden

If you like a cheesy topping, now is the time to sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the top. Return the skillet to the oven and bake, uncovered, for another 15–20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s bubbly and getting a little golden brown around the edges. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before you serve it; this helps everything set up perfectly.

A Little Note on Nutrition

Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and quantities used.

Ways to Lighten It Up a Bit

For a lighter version of this comforting dish, you can make a few simple swaps. Using low-sodium chicken broth helps control the sodium content. Opting for plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream adds a bit more protein. You can also increase the amount of vegetables to add more fiber and nutrients.

How We Love to Serve It

This hearty rice casserole is a wonderful meal all on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a simple side salad or some steamed green beans. For a complete and comforting meal, I love to serve it with warm, crusty bread to soak up every last bit of the creamy sauce.

A Few Family Secrets for Success

• Don’t Let the Rice Get Mushy: Be sure to check the rice at the end of its initial baking time. If it’s cooked too long, it can become mushy in the final casserole.
• Keep the Sauce from Being Too Thin: Make sure to let the sauce simmer long enough to thicken properly before adding it to the casserole. A watery sauce can make the whole dish a bit soupy.
• Let It Rest Before Serving: Letting the casserole rest for about 10 minutes after it comes out of the oven is an important step. It allows the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together.

Saving Some for Later

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four or five days. You can also freeze the casserole for up to three months. To reheat, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake in a 350°F oven until it’s heated through.

From My Kitchen to Yours

There is so much love baked into this simple dish. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a collection of warm memories and shared moments. I hope that when you make this chicken and wild rice casserole in your own kitchen, it brings the same feelings of comfort and joy to your table and helps you create new memories with the ones you love.

Your Questions, Answered with a Smile

Can I use another kind of rice?

While wild rice gives this dish its signature nutty flavor and chewy texture, you could substitute it with brown rice for a similar hearty feel.

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes, this is a great recipe to prepare in advance. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to two days before baking.

Is it okay to use a rotisserie chicken to save time?

Absolutely! Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a wonderful time-saver for this dish. You will need about three cups of shredded chicken.

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

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• Author: Sarah
• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This Chicken Wild Rice Casserole is creamy, hearty, and comforting — the perfect family meal-in-one baked with tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and vegetables in a savory homemade sauce.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 cup wild rice blend, rinsed
• 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar (optional, for topping)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, celery, and carrots for 4–5 minutes until tender. Add mushrooms (if using) and cook 2 more minutes.
3. Stir in rinsed wild rice blend, toast for 1 minute, then add chicken broth, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover tightly, and bake 45–50 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
4. Meanwhile, make the creamy sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and simmer until thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in sour cream and Parmesan.
5. Remove skillet from oven, stir in cooked chicken and creamy sauce until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
6. If desired, sprinkle shredded cheddar on top. Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a lighter version, swap sour cream with Greek yogurt, use low-sodium broth, and add extra vegetables. Leftovers store 4–5 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 720mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: chicken wild rice casserole, creamy chicken rice bake, comfort food casserole