This Chicken Casserole with Cream of Mushroom Soup is the ultimate comfort food dish! Tender, juicy rotisserie chicken bakes with wild rice, onions, and mushrooms in a creamy, cheesy sauce for a flavor-packed quick and easy dinner.
Baked to bubbling perfection, this casserole is ideal as a weeknight main dish paired with your favorite salad and steamed veggies.
If you love this chicken and wild rice casserole, you will love these Chicken Kabobs, Garlic Chicken Thighs, Baked Chicken With Soy and Garlic or our Easy Oven Baked BBQ Chicken recipe.
Why You Will Love This Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
- Delicious Flavors: The combination of wild rice, seasoned chicken, and a blend of creamy soups creates a rich and flavorful meal that the whole family will love.
- Cheesy Goodness: Melted cheddar cheese on top adds a layer of gooey deliciousness.
- Quick and Easy Dinner: With simple steps from sautéing to baking, this hassle-free recipe is perfect for an easy, hearty, and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
- Wild Rice Blend: Adds a nutty and chewy texture to the chicken wild rice casserole, providing a wholesome base. I used a blend of white long-grain rice and wild rice, but you can use just wild rice or brown rice instead.
- Diced Onion: Brings a savory and sweet flavor to this dish, complementing the earthiness of wild rice. Shallots, green onions, or leeks can be used for a milder onion flavor. You can also substitute onion powder for fresh onions if you prefer or if fresh onions are unavailable.
- Sliced Brown or Cremini Mushrooms: Add depth and umami flavor to the casserole enhancing the overall richness. You can use white mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms as alternatives.
- Shredded or Cubed Rotisserie Chicken: Provides a hearty protein element to this easy dinner recipe. Chicken breasts or cooked turkey also work. You can even use tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Olive Oil: Enhances the browning process of the mushrooms, adding a subtle richness to the dish. Use butter or vegetable oil as a substitute, but they will give it a different flavor profile.
- Italian Seasoning: Infuses a blend of aromatic herbs, elevating the overall flavor with a Mediterranean twist. Use a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme instead if needed.
- Kosher Salt and Pepper: These seasonings enhance the overall taste and balance the flavors.
- Cream of Mushroom and Cream of Chicken Soup: Contribute to the creamy texture, while providing a chicken and mushroom-flavored base.
- Sour Cream: Introduces tanginess and creaminess, balancing the richness of the dish. Greek yogurt or plain yogurt work well as substitutes.
- Chicken Broth: Adds depth of flavor and ensures the casserole is not overly thick. Use vegetable broth, chicken stock, or water with a bouillon cube instead if needed.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds cheesiness to the creamy sauce and creates a gooey and savory topping. Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even parmesan cheese work giving a different cheese flavor.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and the exact quantities of each ingredient.
Variations
- Swap the soup: Use a different type of cream soup like cream of celery, cream of broccoli, or your favorite cream soup.
- Change the seasoning: Try using different herbs or spices instead of Italian seasoning, such as cumin, dried coriander, paprika, or any other dried seasonings you have in your pantry.
- Add some heat: Mix cayenne pepper or red chili flakes into the seasoning mix for a touch of heat.
- Add a crunchy topping: You can top this casserole with Ritz crackers, bread cubes, or potato chips for a golden-brown finish.
How to Make Chicken Casserole With Cream of Mushroom Soup
Get started by cooking the wild rice according to the package instructions.
Step 1: Cook the onions and mushrooms. While the rice is cooking, sauté the onions and mushrooms in a skillet until they become slightly soft.
Step 2: Combine the ingredients. Add the cooked rice, chicken, cream soups, sour cream, Italian seasoning, cheese, and chicken broth to a large bowl.
Step 3: Mix. Stir the mixture until everything is well combined.
Step 4: Assemble the casserole. Spread the mixture evenly in a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
Step 5: Add more cheese. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
Step 6: Bake. Place the casserole in the oven and bake until the cheese melts, about 20 minutes.
If you love recipes like this, you'll love this Crockpot Chicken Stuffing Casserole, Crockpot Apricot Chicken or our Artichoke and Spinach Chicken Casserole recipe.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Freezer: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. You also can freeze the entire cooked casserole for a make-ahead meal by wrapping it tightly with plastic wrap as well as aluminum foil.
- Reheat: Return the leftovers to a baking dish and heat in the oven at 350° F for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
This chicken and rice casserole pairs well with so many side dishes to create meals everyone will love. Here are just a few favorites.
- Pair it with this Broiled Asparagus, this Cheesy Mushrooms Appetizer, or these Air Fryer Dinner Rolls.
- Enjoy it for Sunday night dinner with this Mixed Green Salad as a starter and this Strawberry Whipped Cream Dessert afterwards.
Recipe Tips
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the wild rice chicken casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Using Aluminum Foil: Covering the casserole with aluminum foil during part of the baking time is optional. We sometimes do it to prevent the top from getting too browned.
- Don't Skip Sautéing: Sautéing the onions and mushrooms beforehand can enhance their flavor and soften their texture.
FAQ
Wild rice is a type of grain that grows in water. It's native to North America and looks like long, dark grains. Even though it's often called "rice," it's actually a type of grass seed.
Yes, you can use a Dutch oven to bake this creamy chicken casserole.
The cooking time for this Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole recipe is usually around 20-30 minutes, depending on your oven and the thickness of the casserole.
More Delicious Casserole Dishes
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
Equipment
- skillet
Ingredients
- 2 packages wild rice blend 4 ounces each
- ½ cup diced onion
- 6 ounces brown or cremini mushrooms sliced
- 1 rotisserie chicken shredded or cubed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese divided into 1-cup and ½ cup portions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- In a skillet over medium heat, add oil and cook the diced onions and sliced mushrooms until they become slightly soft.
- In a medium saucepan, prepare the uncooked wild rice according to the package instructions.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice and shredded chicken, and then add cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, Italian seasoning, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and chicken broth. Mix everything really well.
- Spread the mixture evenly into a large casserole dish, and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top of the casserole. Bake the casserole in a 375°F oven for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through.
- Allow the wild rice chicken casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Optionally, garnish the creamy casserole with chopped fresh parsley. Serve alongside fresh vegetables like green beans for a complete meal.
Notes
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the wild rice chicken casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Using Aluminum Foil: Covering the casserole with aluminum foil during part of the baking time is optional. We sometimes do it to prevent the top from getting too browned.
- Don't Skip Sautéing: Sautéing the onions and mushrooms beforehand can enhance their flavor and soften their texture.
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