Savory Chicken and Sausage Casserole with Brown and Wild Rice
This comforting casserole is a delightful blend of tender chicken, spicy pork sausage, and wholesome brown and wild rice, all enveloped in a creamy mushroom sauce. Originally cherished by MDM at her bridge parties, this dish is a perfect centerpiece for gatherings. It brings together classic Southern flavors and a heartwarming aroma that fills your kitchen, making it a go-to recipe for family dinners or potlucks. Easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time, this casserole is sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Whether served fresh from the oven or reheated, its rich flavors will evoke fond memories and create new ones around the dining table.
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken Breasts
6 (large, cooked (bone-in))
Long Grain Brown and Wild Rice Mix
13 (ounces)
Hot Pork Sausage
1 (lb, cooked and crumbled)
Cream of Mushroom Soup
21.5 (ounces)
Mushrooms
1/2 (lb, sautéed in 2 teaspoons of butter for 5 minutes at medium heat)
Worcestershire Sauce
2 (teaspoons)
Chicken Stock
1/2 (cup, reserved from cooking the chicken)
Breadcrumbs
1.5 (cups (from day-old bread or a mix of 3/4 cup plain breadcrumbs and 3/4 cup Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix))
Butter
1/4 (cup, melted)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a large pot, add desired seasonings such as celery leaves, a bay leaf, salt, and pepper to water. Cook the bone-in chicken breasts over medium heat until done. Remove the chicken from the pot, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid (chicken stock) for later. Allow the chicken to cool, and then debone it, shredding or chopping the meat into bite-sized pieces.
3
Prepare the brown and wild rice according to package instructions (microwaveable rice typically takes around 90 seconds). Set aside once cooked.
4
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the hot pork sausage until it’s browned, breaking it into small pieces and draining any excess fat.
5
Add canned cream of mushroom soup, sautéed mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce, reserved chicken stock, shredded chicken, and cooked rice to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
6
Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish or casserole dish. In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter, then evenly sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs over the casserole mixture.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
8
This dish can be made a day in advance or frozen for future meals.
Nutrition Information
16
Fat
20
Carbs
15
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Chicken and Sausage Casserole with Brown and Wild Rice?
This casserole is a comforting and hearty blend of tender chicken, spicy pork sausage, and wholesome brown and wild rice, all combined in a creamy mushroom sauce.
What type of chicken is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 large bone-in chicken breasts that are cooked, deboned, and shredded or chopped into bite-sized pieces.
What kind of rice should I use?
You should use a 13-ounce package of long grain brown and wild rice mix.
How do I prepare the chicken for the casserole?
Cook the bone-in chicken in a large pot with seasonings like celery leaves, bay leaf, salt, and pepper until done, then debone and shred the meat.
Should I save any of the chicken cooking liquid?
Yes, reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid (chicken stock) to add into the casserole mixture later.
What type of sausage is used in this dish?
The recipe uses 1 lb of hot pork sausage, which should be cooked, crumbled, and drained of excess fat.
How much cream of mushroom soup is needed?
The recipe requires 21.5 ounces of canned cream of mushroom soup.
How should the mushrooms be prepared?
Sauté 1/2 lb of mushrooms in 2 teaspoons of butter for about 5 minutes over medium heat before adding them to the casserole.
What gives the casserole its savory depth?
The addition of 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce adds a rich, savory flavor to the mixture.
What goes into the breadcrumb topping?
The topping consists of 1.5 cups of breadcrumbs mixed with 1/4 cup of melted butter.
Can I use stuffing mix for the topping?
Yes, you can use a mix of 3/4 cup plain breadcrumbs and 3/4 cup Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix.
What temperature should I set the oven to?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
How long does the casserole need to bake?
Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, this dish can be prepared a day in advance or even frozen for future meals.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
What is the fat content of this dish?
There are 16 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this casserole?
There are 20 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in a serving?
There are 15 grams of protein per serving.
Is this a good recipe for a potluck?
Absolutely, its comforting flavors and ease of preparation make it a perfect choice for potlucks and family gatherings.
Can I use microwaveable rice for this recipe?
Yes, microwaveable rice works well and typically only takes about 90 seconds to prepare.
What seasonings should be added to the chicken water?
The recipe suggests using celery leaves, a bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
How do I know the casserole is done?
The casserole is ready when the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and the center is hot.
Should the sausage be drained?
Yes, after browning the sausage, you should drain any excess fat before mixing it with other ingredients.
What kind of dish should I use to bake the casserole?
Use a greased baking dish or a standard casserole dish.
Is this a spicy dish?
The use of hot pork sausage gives it a mild spice, which complements the creamy mushroom sauce.
Can I use fresh bread for the breadcrumbs?
The recipe recommends using day-old bread for the best texture in the topping.
What is the origin of this recipe?
It was originally a cherished dish served by MDM at her bridge parties.
Does the recipe contain fiber information?
The provided nutritional information does not specify the fiber content.
Is there a specific brand of rice mix suggested?
The recipe specifies a generic 13-ounce long grain brown and wild rice mix.
How should I store leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated, as the flavors continue to develop over time.