Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole
This Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole is a comforting one-dish meal perfect for family gatherings or potlucks. Derived from a classic recipe by Amy Thielen, this version incorporates common substitutions to save time without sacrificing flavor. The dish features a delightful blend of Rice a Roni Long Grain & Wild Rice, tender chicken, and a creamy sauce enriched with sour cream, evaporated milk, and savory spices. Topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust, this casserole is a hearty and satisfying option that is sure to please everyone at the table. Serve it up with a green salad for an easy yet delicious meal.
N/A
Servings
412
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Rice a Roni Long Grain & Wild Rice Blend
1 (4 1/3 ounce) package (Contents of the box)
Butter or Margarine
6 tablespoons (Divided)
Water
1 2/3 cups + 3/4 cup (Divided)
Bay Leaf
1 (Whole)
Chicken Base
2 teaspoons (Chicken broth base)
Green Onions
4 (Chopped, including tops)
Celery
3 stalks (Chopped)
Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (Ground)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (To taste)
Flour
3 tablespoons (All-purpose)
Evaporated Milk
3/4 cup (Canned)
Sour Cream
1 cup (Regular or low-fat)
Ground Thyme
1/2 teaspoon (Dried)
Ground Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (Ground)
Chopped Cooked Chicken
2 cups (Shredded or diced)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 1/2 cups (Shredded)
Ritz Crackers
2 cups (Coarsely broken)
Olive Oil
2 tablespoons (For coating crackers)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a large frying pan, combine the contents of the Rice a Roni box, 2 tablespoons of butter, the seasoning packet, 1 2/3 cups of water, the bay leaf, and the chicken base. Bring this mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Let it simmer for about 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
3
Once cooked, remove the bay leaf from the rice mixture and transfer it to a large bowl, covering it to keep warm.
4
In the same frying pan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped green onions and celery, seasoning with salt and pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and slightly golden, approximately 4-5 minutes.
5
Stir in the flour and continue to cook for an additional minute before gradually whisking in the evaporated milk and 3/4 cup of water. Keep whisking until the sauce is smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
6
Incorporate the sour cream, thyme, and nutmeg into the creamy vegetable mixture. Mix until well combined.
7
Next, add the vegetable cream mixture, chopped chicken, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese to the rice bowl. Stir to combine everything evenly.
8
Coat a 9x13 inch baking pan with the remaining butter, then pour the rice and chicken mixture into the pan, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
9
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
10
While the casserole is baking, prepare the topping by shaking the coarsely broken Ritz crackers in a bag along with the olive oil to coat them.
11
After the initial baking time, remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the prepared Ritz cracker topping over the cheese. Return it to the oven for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
12
Once done, let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious creamy chicken and wild rice casserole!
Nutrition Information
26g
Fat
35g
Carbs
17.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole?
It is a comforting one-dish meal featuring Rice a Roni, tender chicken, and a creamy sauce topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust.
What type of rice is used in this recipe?
The recipe specifically uses one 4 1/3 ounce package of Rice a Roni Long Grain & Wild Rice Blend.
How do you cook the rice mixture?
Combine the rice, butter, seasoning packet, water, bay leaf, and chicken base; bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 25 minutes.
What vegetables are included in the casserole?
The dish includes 4 chopped green onions (including tops) and 3 stalks of chopped celery.
How is the creamy sauce made?
The sauce is made by creating a roux with butter and flour, then whisking in evaporated milk and water until smooth.
What kind of chicken is recommended?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of chopped cooked chicken, which can be either shredded or diced.
What type of cheese is used?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
What is the topping for the casserole?
The topping consists of 2 cups of coarsely broken Ritz crackers coated in olive oil.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How long does the casserole need to bake?
It bakes for an initial 25 minutes, then an additional 15 minutes after the cracker topping is added.
Do I need to let the casserole rest after cooking?
Yes, it is recommended to let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
How many calories are in a serving of this casserole?
Each serving contains approximately 412 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 26 grams of fat per serving.
How many grams of protein are in each serving?
Each serving provides 17.5 grams of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 35 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Can I use low-fat sour cream?
Yes, the recipe allows for either regular or low-fat sour cream.
What spices are used to season the casserole?
The dish is seasoned with ground thyme, ground nutmeg, black pepper, and salt.
Should I remove the bay leaf?
Yes, you should remove the bay leaf from the rice mixture once it is cooked and before transferring it to the mixing bowl.
What size baking pan is required?
A 9x13 inch baking pan should be used for this recipe.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 18 ingredients used in this dish.
How do you prepare the Ritz cracker topping?
Shake the coarsely broken Ritz crackers in a bag with olive oil to ensure they are evenly coated.
When do I add the cheese?
Half of the cheese is mixed into the rice and chicken mixture, and the other half is sprinkled on top before the first bake.
Is this recipe suitable for a potluck?
Yes, this casserole is described as a crowd-pleaser and is perfect for family gatherings or potlucks.
What is a good side dish for this casserole?
A green salad is recommended as an easy and delicious accompaniment.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe states you can use 6 tablespoons of either butter or margarine.
How do I prepare the vegetables?
Sauté the chopped green onions and celery in butter for 4-5 minutes until softened and slightly golden.
What is chicken base?
Chicken base is a concentrated chicken broth base used here to enhance the flavor of the rice.
Is this a time-saving recipe?
Yes, this version uses common substitutions, like Rice a Roni, to save time while maintaining flavor.
What is the total amount of water used?
The recipe uses a total of 2 5/12 cups of water, divided into 1 2/3 cups for the rice and 3/4 cup for the sauce.
Is this considered a comfort food?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as comfort food and described as a hearty, satisfying meal.