Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
This comforting Chicken Wild Rice Casserole is a hearty and delicious dish featuring tender chicken, nutty wild rice, creamy soup, fresh vegetables, and melted cheese baked to perfection. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or meal prep, this casserole combines simple ingredients into a savory and satisfying one-dish meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Grains
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup wild rice, uncooked
- 2 cups water or chicken broth (for cooking rice)
Vegetables
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (such as carrots, peas, and green beans), fresh or frozen
Other Ingredients
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the wild rice: Rinse 1 cup of wild rice under cold water, then combine with 2 cups of water or chicken broth in a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 45-50 minutes until the rice is tender and water is absorbed. Drain any excess liquid.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Mix the casserole ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cooked wild rice, mixed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, milk, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, stirring well to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Assemble in baking dish: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish. Spread evenly.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole mixture.
- Bake the casserole: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then serve warm as a comforting main dish.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken leftover from a roast or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Wild rice adds a chewy texture and nutty flavor but can be substituted with brown rice if desired.
- Feel free to swap cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soups with condensed cream of celery or cream of broccoli soups for variety.
- Adding breadcrumbs on top before baking can create an extra crispy crust.
- This casserole reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Chicken Wild Rice Casserole, comfort food, baked casserole, easy dinner, creamy chicken casserole, hearty meal
