Pioneer Woman Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
Pioneer Woman Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole Recipe is one of the best comfort meals for busy nights. It is creamy, filling and packed with rich flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
- 1 cup wild rice blend
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 carrots chopped
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
Cook the Wild Rice
- Add wild rice and chicken broth to a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower the heat and simmer until the rice becomes tender and fluffy. This usually takes about 40 minutes.
Prepare the Vegetables
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add onion, carrots and celery. Cook for about six minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook for one more minute for extra flavor.
Mix the Creamy Sauce
- Take a large mixing bowl. Add cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, salt, black pepper, thyme and paprika. Stir everything together until smooth and creamy without lumps.
Add Chicken and Rice
- Place shredded chicken and cooked wild rice into the sauce mixture. Add the cooked vegetables. Stir gently until all ingredients are fully coated with the creamy mixture.
Fill the Baking Dish
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly. Pour the casserole mixture into the dish. Spread evenly with a spoon so every part cooks evenly in the oven.
Add Cheese on Top
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole. The cheese melts beautifully while baking and creates a rich golden topping with delicious flavor and texture.
Bake the Casserole
- Cover the baking dish with foil. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 15 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden on top.
Garnish and Serve
- Remove the casserole from the oven carefully. Let it rest for five minutes before serving. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top for fresh color and extra flavor.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for faster preparation.
- Do not overcook the wild rice.
- Freshly shredded cheese melts better than packaged cheese.
- Add mushrooms for more earthy flavor.
- Let the casserole rest before serving.
- Use low-sodium broth for better salt control.
- Add broccoli for extra vegetables and texture.
- Cover with foil first to prevent drying out.