Description
This Chicken and Wild Rice Bake is a one-pan comfort dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or special family dinners. With tender chunks of chicken, flavorful wild rice, and a creamy, savory sauce, this baked casserole is easy to make, delicious, and filling. It’s a meal the whole family will love!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bake:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup wild rice, uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 cup milk (whole milk or 2%)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or make your own homemade version)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Prepare the Chicken and Rice: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned on all sides. Season with salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Casserole: In a large bowl, combine the uncooked wild rice, chicken broth, milk, cream of mushroom soup, and the sautéed chicken mixture. Stir everything together until well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through. If the rice is not fully cooked, add a little more broth or water and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Optional Topping: If you like a cheesy top, remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole. Continue baking until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve the chicken and wild rice bake hot.
Notes
- You can add vegetables like peas, carrots, or mushrooms to the casserole for extra flavor and nutrition.
- For a lighter version, you can use low-fat milk and a lower-sodium cream of mushroom soup.
- If you prefer to use pre-cooked chicken, just add it to the rice and sauce mixture and bake until heated through.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chicken and wild rice, casserole, chicken bake, wild rice bake, easy dinner, creamy chicken casserole, comfort food