Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole
This comforting and flavorful casserole is a beloved recipe by Betty Givan, renowned for her engaging cooking demonstrations on YouTube. Praised for its creamy texture and savory taste, this dish is perfect for any occasion, whether you’re feeding your family or delivering a meal to a neighbor. Featuring tender chunks of chicken, a rich blend of creamy soups, and a delightful mix of long grain and wild rice, this casserole is topped generously with Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of flavor. It’s a crowd-pleaser that you can whip up easily, making it an ideal go-to recipe for any busy cook who wants to bring deliciousness to the table.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Uncooked chicken breasts
2 lbs (Cut into bite-sized chunks)
Condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can (None)
Condensed cream of celery soup
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can (None)
Condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can (None)
Milk
2 cups (None)
Butter
1/4 lb (1 stick) (Cut into chunks)
Uncle Ben's Long Grain and Wild Rice blend
1 (6 ounce) box (Fast cooking recipe, reserve seasoning pack)
Grated Parmesan cheese
to taste (Generously sprinkle on top)
Cooking spray
if desired (Use for greasing the baking dish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2
In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, cream of chicken soup, and milk along with the chunks of butter. Stir occasionally until the butter has melted and the mixture is smooth and well combined.
3
Meanwhile, prepare the chicken by removing any excess fat, skin, or gristle. Cut the uncooked chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
4
In a large oven-proof casserole dish (approximately 14" x 10" x 2"), spray the bottom lightly with cooking spray if desired. Pour half of the warm soup mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly.
5
Sprinkle the long grain and wild rice over the soup layer, reserving the seasoning packet for future use.
6
Evenly distribute the chicken chunks over the rice layer, ensuring they are spread out.
7
Next, pour the remaining soup mixture over the chicken, ensuring everything is well covered.
8
Generously sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top, using at least half of a large Kraft can for maximum flavor.
9
Cover the casserole with aluminum foil to keep moisture in and bake it in the preheated oven for approximately 1 hour.
10
After 1 hour, remove the foil and allow the casserole to bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to achieve a golden, bubbly top.
11
For a slightly less saucy casserole, you can bake it uncovered for a total of 1 hour and 15 minutes. Serve hot.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole?
It is a comforting, savory casserole featuring tender chicken, a rich blend of cream soups, and wild rice, topped with a generous layer of Parmesan cheese.
Who is the creator of this recipe?
This recipe is by Betty Givan, known for her popular cooking demonstrations on YouTube.
How many servings does this casserole make?
This recipe yields 8 servings.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
What kind of chicken is required for this recipe?
You need 2 lbs of uncooked chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks with excess fat and gristle removed.
What types of condensed soup are used?
The recipe uses one 10 3/4 ounce can each of cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, and cream of chicken soup.
How is the soup mixture prepared?
Combine the three soups, milk, and butter in a saucepan over low heat until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth.
How much milk is added to the soup base?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of milk.
How much butter is used in the dish?
Use 1/4 lb of butter, which is equivalent to one stick.
What specific rice is recommended?
The recipe specifies one 6-ounce box of Uncle Ben's Long Grain and Wild Rice blend.
Do I use the seasoning packet included with the rice?
No, the instructions state to reserve the seasoning packet for future use and not include it in this casserole.
What size baking dish is needed?
An oven-proof casserole dish approximately 14 inches by 10 inches by 2 inches is recommended.
Should I grease the casserole dish?
Yes, you can spray the bottom of the dish lightly with cooking spray if desired.
How do I layer the ingredients in the pan?
Layer half of the soup mixture first, then sprinkle the rice, add the chicken chunks, and pour the remaining soup mixture over the top.
What kind of cheese is used for the topping?
Grated Parmesan cheese is used for the topping.
How much Parmesan cheese should I apply?
The recipe suggests a generous sprinkle, specifically recommending at least half of a large Kraft can for maximum flavor.
How long does the casserole bake while covered?
The casserole should be covered with foil and baked for 1 hour.
Why is the foil removed for the last 15 minutes of baking?
The foil is removed to allow the top of the casserole to become golden and bubbly.
What is the total baking time?
The total baking time is 1 hour and 15 minutes.
How can I achieve a less saucy consistency?
For a slightly less saucy result, you can bake the casserole uncovered for the entire 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Is the chicken cooked before being added to the dish?
No, the chicken is added raw (uncooked) and cooks through during the baking process.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The casserole has a creamy texture with tender chunks of chicken.
Can this recipe be made ahead of time?
Yes, one of the tags for this recipe is 'make ahead,' suggesting it is suitable for preparation in advance.
Is this a good meal for a large group?
Yes, it is described as a crowd-pleaser that is perfect for families or delivering to neighbors.
What category of food does this fall under?
It is categorized as comfort food and an easy dinner casserole.
Should the soup mixture be boiling when added?
No, it should be heated over low heat just until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth and warm.
Does the recipe require salt or pepper?
The recipe does not explicitly list salt or pepper as separate ingredients, as the condensed soups and Parmesan cheese provide significant savory flavor.
What is the primary carbohydrate source in this recipe?
Long grain and wild rice are the primary carbohydrates.
Is it necessary to stir the casserole while it is baking?
No, the dish is layered and baked without stirring to maintain the crust and texture.
How should the dish be served?
The casserole should be served hot immediately after baking.