Description
This Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting dish perfect for family dinners. It features tender chicken browned with herbs, wild rice cooked with mushrooms and onions, and a rich sauce made from cream of mushroom soup and sour cream, all baked to bubbly perfection with melted cheddar cheese on top.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Vegetables
- 6 ounces wild rice mixture (1 package)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 6 ounces brown mushrooms or cremini, sliced
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sauce and Cheese
- 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with heavy-duty foil for easy cleanup.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a saucepan over medium heat, cook the diced onion and sliced mushrooms until they are slightly softened, releasing their flavors and moisture.
- Cook Wild Rice: Add the wild rice mixture and the amount of water specified on the package to the saucepan. Cook the rice according to the package directions until tender.
- Prepare Chicken: While the rice is cooking, season the cubed chicken breasts with dried basil, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the chicken on all sides until almost fully cooked through.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooked wild rice and vegetables, browned chicken, condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, chicken broth, and half (½ cup) of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well to combine all elements evenly.
- Bake Covered: Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and cover it with foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to meld the flavors and finish cooking.
- Add Topping and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese on top. Continue baking for an additional 5 to 7 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 10 minutes before serving to let it set and cool slightly for easier portioning.
Notes
- Chicken & wild rice casserole is a creamy & cheesy casserole that everyone loves.
- You can substitute the wild rice mixture with a long grain and brown rice blend if preferred.
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
- Adding fresh herbs like parsley before serving enhances the presentation and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 299 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 496 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
