Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

Introduction

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food—blending fork-tender chicken, earthy wild rice, and a velvety sauce packed with flavor. It’s a satisfying dish that effortlessly feeds a crowd, making it perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or easy weekday lunches. With inviting aromas and simple assembly, this casserole is a perennial favorite that’s sure to earn rave reviews.

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

The magic of this recipe lies in its harmonious combination of textures and flavors: fluffy wild rice, juicy chicken, crisp-tender vegetables, all enveloped in a luxuriously creamy sauce. The bonus? Everything gets baked in one pan, making cleanup extra easy. It’s hearty, filling, and adaptable to the ingredients you have on hand.

How to Make a Rich, Creamy Base

Start with a homemade or store-bought creamy sauce—think cream of mushroom or a simple roux with milk. Sauté aromatics like onions, garlic, and celery for extra depth. Add shredded or diced chicken (rotisserie works wonders for added convenience) and par-cooked wild rice for an even distribution of textures. Let the casserole bake until bubbly and golden on top for maximum flavor.

Tips for Perfect Assembly

Layer your ingredients thoughtfully: rice and vegetables on the bottom, chicken in the middle, and pour the luscious sauce over everything. A sprinkle of shredded cheese or breadcrumbs adds a beautifully crispy finish. Bake uncovered to create that irresistible golden crust.

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

Pair your casserole with a crisp green salad or steamed veggies for a well-rounded meal. For an extra pop of flavor, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme just before serving. Leftovers are even more delicious the next day—simply reheat and enjoy.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 6 hearty servings. Each portion contains roughly 350-420 calories, depending on your choice of sauce and cheese. It’s a wholesome meal offering protein, complex carbs, and plenty of comfort in every bite.

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole (Recap)

Effortlessly combining tender chicken, earthy wild rice, vegetables, and a creamy sauce, this casserole is a go-to for busy weeknights or make-ahead meals. Its one-dish simplicity and crowd-pleasing flavor profile make it an essential addition to your recipe rotation.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, celery, and carrots for 4–5 minutes, until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked wild rice, sautéed vegetables, shredded chicken, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream or Greek yogurt, milk, 1 cup of cheese, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix until fully combined.
4. Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish and spread evenly.
5. Sprinkle additional shredded cheese and breadcrumbs (if using) evenly over the top.
6. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
7. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve warm.

Weekly Meal Planning

This creamy casserole is an excellent candidate for meal prep and weekly meal planning. Save and schedule this recipe to easily plan it for any night and automatically generate a consolidated shopping list with all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

– Calculates total ingredient quantities needed for all scheduled recipes
– Organizes shopping lists by store section for faster shopping
– Reduces food waste by preventing duplicate purchases
– Makes weekly meal prep smoother and more organized

Pro tip: When prepping several meals in advance, schedule this recipe along with others—CookifyAI will highlight overlapping ingredients like chicken or cheese, so you can buy exactly what you need!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Enjoy this comforting, crowd-pleasing casserole—and simplify your meal planning and shopping with CookifyAI!