Description
This comforting Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole combines tender cubed chicken, earthy wild rice, and mushrooms in a creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s a hearty, satisfying dish perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings, featuring baked layers of flavorful chicken, wild rice mixture, and melted cheddar cheese.
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
- 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Foil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a saucepan over medium heat, cook the diced onion and sliced mushrooms until they are slightly softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Cook Wild Rice: Add the wild rice mixture to the saucepan with the onions and mushrooms. Pour in the water as directed on the rice package and cook according to package instructions until the rice is tender and the moisture absorbed.
- Brown the Chicken: While the rice cooks, season the cubed chicken breasts with dried basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown the chicken pieces on all sides until almost cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked wild rice mixture, browned chicken, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, chicken broth, and ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well to blend all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the mixture evenly into the foil-lined baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with foil to ensure moisture retention during baking.
- Bake Covered: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes covered to heat through and meld flavors.
- Add Cheese Topping and Finish Baking: Remove the foil covering, sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top, then return to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow flavors to settle and make serving easier.
Notes
- Chicken and wild rice casserole is a creamy and cheesy dish that appeals to all ages, making it perfect for family meals.
- Be sure to brown the chicken well to add depth of flavor and ensure it’s cooked through before baking.
- Using foil to line the baking dish helps prevent sticking and simplifies cleanup.
- Letting the casserole rest after baking helps it set and improves serving texture.
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
