Also, take care you don’t purchase instant wild rice. If your wild rice package comes with a seasoning packet, discard that for this recipe. I use Lundberg Wild Rice Blend, which is made of long grain brown rice, sweet brown rice, wild rice, whole grain wehani rice, and whole grain black japonica rice. You can find wild rice blends pre-packaged in a bag or box at your grocery store or in the bulk bins at stores like Sprouts. Wild rice blends are a blend of rice varieties, which give you complementary firm, fluffy cooked textures and robust, nutty, earthy vibrant flavors. WHERE CAN I BUY WILD RICE? Purchase a wild rice BLEND for this recipe and not 100% wild rice.

Additionally, wild rice has a lower glycemic index than white rice, which means it can help regulate blood sugar levels. It is also low in fat and gluten-free, making it a healthy option for people with dietary restrictions.

Wild rice is rich in antioxidants, which can help protect against chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. It contains more protein and less calories than other types of rice, is a good source of fiber and boasts a variety of vitamins and minerals such as manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc. IS WILD RICE NUTRITIOUS? Yes, wild rice is highly nutritious. I highly recommend checking the rice at 25 minutes, even if the instructions say to cook closer to 40 minutes. To cook the wild rice blend, simply simmer it in a few inches of water until tender. The excellent texture of wild rice blend is in large part due to the fact that wild rice actually isn’t rice at all! Even though it may look like long-grain rice with a brownish-blackish color, it is actually a highly nutritious seed of long-grain aquatic marsh grass. It’s the ideal companion to the robust mushrooms and is nearly impossible to overcook and turn mushy, the downfall of many other chicken rice casseroles. What transforms this recipe from ordinary to extraordinary is the al dente, nutty, toasted, earthy chewiness of the wild rice blend. What kind of rice is best in this chicken rice casserole? Assemble the casserole, freeze, then thaw when you need a comforting fix or easy dinner – or both! Winner, winner, easy chicken dinner! Freezer friendly. This chicken casserole is a great choice for feeding a crowd or for meal prepping because it can be made ahead of time and just popped in the oven at dinner to bake to glorious cheesy perfection. Add virtually anything to this chicken rice casserole recipe! Swap the chicken breasts for chicken thighs or rotisserie chicken, swap in your favorite veggies, swap the Parmesan for Gruyere or pepper Jack and on and on. The mushrooms are perfectly caramelized by cooking until golden before adding to the casserole, the chicken remains juicy by searing, then finishing off in the oven, the wild rice adds a palate pleasing mouthfeel that doesn’t become mushy like other rice varieties can, and the velvety homemade cream of chicken soup swaddles the ingredients without overpowering them, creating the perfect swoon worthy bite. This recipe is seasoned to perfection with hints of Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, salty chicken bouillon, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, parsley and both sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses to stand up to the umami rich mushrooms. No canned soups! The homemade cream sauce is made with pantry friendly ingredients like butter, flour, and milk, is easy to prepare, tastes 1000X better than canned, and adds a velvety craveable cohesiveness. WHY this chicken and rice casserole recipe works This chicken and rice casserole is perfect for all those busy nights because you can prep it entirely ahead of time, then just pop it in the oven at dinner OR freeze for later! With a few tips and tricks, you can elevate this casserole to next level served alongside a green salad and garlic bread!Ĭhicken and rice are a match made in heaven! Don’t miss my other chicken and rice recipes: Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, One Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice, Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, Greek Chicken Risotto, Mexican Chicken and Rice, Arroz con Pollo and Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Bake. This Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole is warm, creamy, hearty, umami rich comfort food the whole family will love! It’s packed with juicy, tender chunks of chicken, earthy mushrooms, and nutty wild rice, enveloped in a creamy, cheddar-Parmesan laced sauce made without any canned soups! Top it all off with buttery, golden crispy panko for the perfect balance of satisfying textures and flavors.

Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole is irresistibly creamy, satisfying, texture-packed comfort food made from scratch without any canned soups!

Chicken and rice casserole recipe