Description
This comforting Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole combines tender cooked chicken, flavorful white and wild rice, creamy soups, and Parmesan cheese, topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust. It’s a hearty, easy-to-make dish perfect for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked chopped chicken
- 4 (8.8-oz) bags Ben’s Ready White & Wild Rice
- 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1 cup milk
- 6 oz shredded Parmesan cheese
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping
- 1½ sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed
- ½ cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking, then set it aside.
- Mix Casserole Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chopped chicken, prepared white and wild rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, shredded Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well blended. Spread this mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated. Sprinkle this buttery cracker topping evenly over the casserole mixture.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the topping is golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the chicken is fully cooked before starting the recipe; use rotisserie or leftover chicken to save time.
- You can substitute the sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Adding chopped vegetables like mushrooms, celery, or peas can increase the casserole’s nutritional value and add texture.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free crackers or omit the cracker topping.
- Letting the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking helps it set and makes it easier to serve.
