Pioneer Woman Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole: Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe

This chicken and rice casserole is truly a family favorite, packed with wholesome ingredients and cheesy goodness. It’s the kind of comfort food that warms you from the inside out, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a potluck with friends. Loaded with rice, tender chicken, plenty of vegetables, and a creamy cheese sauce, this Pioneer Woman Chicken And Wild Rice Casserole recipe is sure to become a staple in your home. Kids and adults alike will love this hearty and satisfying meal that’s both easy to prepare and incredibly delicious.

Chicken and rice casserole in serving dish

Why This Pioneer Woman Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole Recipe is a Must-Try

This isn’t just any chicken and rice casserole; it’s a recipe designed for busy families who crave homemade comfort without spending hours in the kitchen. Here’s why you’ll absolutely adore this Pioneer Woman inspired dish:

Pure Comfort Food: In every bite, you get the creamy, cheesy, and savory flavors that define ultimate comfort food. It’s a hug in a dish!
Hearty and Satisfying: Packed with chicken, rice, and vegetables, this casserole is incredibly filling and satisfying, perfect for even the hungriest appetites.
Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly: Busy week? No problem! You can assemble this casserole ahead of time and bake it later, or even freeze it for a future meal. This makes it a lifesaver for meal prepping.
Great Leftovers: If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, they taste just as amazing (if not better!) the next day. It’s perfect for lunch or another easy dinner.
Versatile and Customizable: While this recipe is fantastic as is, you can easily customize it to your family’s preferences. Add different vegetables, cheeses, or seasonings to make it your own.

If you are looking for a reliable, crowd-pleasing casserole that the whole family will enjoy, look no further than this Pioneer Woman chicken and wild rice casserole. It’s a comforting classic with a cheesy twist!

Ingredients for Your Pioneer Woman Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

To create this delicious Pioneer Woman chicken and wild rice casserole, gather these simple and wholesome ingredients. See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of measurements.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables, adding a touch of healthy fat and flavor.
Onion: Forms the aromatic base of the casserole, providing savory depth. White or yellow onion works perfectly.
Celery: Adds a subtle herbaceous note and textural contrast to the casserole.
Carrots: Introduce sweetness and vibrant color, along with essential nutrients.
Garlic: Essential for flavor! Freshly minced garlic brings a pungent and aromatic punch.
Cooked Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut for this recipe, making it quick and easy. You can also use leftover cooked chicken breast or thighs.
Cooked White Rice: Provides a fluffy and comforting base. Basmati or Jasmine rice are great choices, but any cooked white rice will do.
Cooked Wild Rice Blend: Adds a nutty flavor and chewy texture that elevates this casserole. If you can’t find a wild rice blend, you can substitute with more white rice or brown rice.
Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, and Garlic Salt: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors in the casserole.
Salted Butter: The base for the creamy cheese sauce, adding richness and flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: Used to create a roux, thickening the cheese sauce to perfection.
Chicken Broth: The liquid component of the cheese sauce, adding savory chicken flavor. Opt for reduced sodium to control the saltiness.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: The star of the cheesy casserole! Mild cheddar provides classic flavor and melts beautifully.

Vegetables in large pot in skillet

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Pioneer Woman Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

Follow these simple steps to create your own Pioneer Woman chicken and wild rice casserole. It’s easier than you might think!

Step 1: Get Started

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the casserole bakes evenly.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat.
Add diced onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté until the vegetables soften, about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 3: Combine Rice, Chicken, and Seasonings

Stir in cooked chicken, white rice, wild rice blend, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic salt into the pot with the vegetables. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
Reduce the heat to low and keep the mixture warm while you prepare the cheese sauce.

Making roux for cheese sauce

Step 4: Prepare the Cheese Sauce

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
Whisk in all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and black pepper. This mixture is called a roux and will thicken your cheese sauce. Cook for about 1 minute, whisking constantly.
Slowly pour in chicken broth, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
Continue whisking until the sauce thickens and comes to a simmer, almost boiling.

Adding cheese to cheese sauce

Step 5: Make it Cheesy!

Reduce the heat to low and stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese into the cheese sauce.
Whisk until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.

Step 6: Assemble the Casserole

Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked rice and chicken mixture in the Dutch oven. Stir gently to ensure everything is evenly coated in the cheesy sauce.
Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Chicken and rice casserole in baking dish ready for the oven

Step 7: Top with Cheese and Bake

Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!

Let the casserole cool slightly before serving. This Pioneer Woman chicken and wild rice casserole is delicious on its own or with your favorite side dishes.

Chicken and rice casserole in serving dish

Enjoy the cheesy, comforting goodness of this classic casserole!

Tips for the Best Pioneer Woman Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

For casserole perfection every time, keep these helpful tips in mind:

Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut: Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken saves significant prep time. Simply shred it and you’re ready to go!
Prep Veggies in Advance: Chop your onions, celery, and carrots ahead of time to streamline the cooking process, especially on busy weeknights.
Double the Recipe for Freezing: This casserole freezes beautifully! Make a double batch and freeze one for a future easy meal.
Perfect for Sharing: This recipe is ideal for bringing to potlucks, gatherings, or to neighbors in need. It’s a comforting and crowd-pleasing dish.
Don’t Overbake: Bake just until the cheese is melted and bubbly to prevent the casserole from drying out.

Serving Suggestions for Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

This Pioneer Woman chicken and wild rice casserole is a complete meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with:

Roasted Vegetables: Serve with a side of roasted broccoli, asparagus, or green beans for a healthy and balanced meal.
Side Salad: A fresh green salad or a crisp broccoli salad provides a refreshing contrast to the rich casserole.
Crusty Bread: For soaking up every last bit of that delicious cheese sauce!

Freezing and Storing Instructions

To Freeze: Assemble the casserole up to the point of baking (before adding the top layer of cheese). Let it cool completely, then cover tightly with aluminum foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before baking. Add the remaining cheese topping before baking as directed.
To Store Leftovers: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or bake in a preheated oven until heated through.

You Might Also Love These Recipes

If you enjoyed this Pioneer Woman chicken and wild rice casserole, here are a few other recipes you might like:

Cheesy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

This comforting Cheesy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole is perfect for a weeknight dinner or potluck!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 534kcal
Author: Jenny

Print Recipe

Equipment

9 x 13 inch baking dish
Oven
Cutting board
Chef knife
Large mixing bowl
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Mixing spoon
Large Skillet/Fry Pan

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
3 stalks celery, finely chopped
3 carrots, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
2 cups steamed white rice
16 ounces cooked wild rice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic salt

Cheese Sauce

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, for topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Heat oil in a medium Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, celery, and carrots until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in chicken, both rices, salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Reduce heat to low.
To prepare cheese sauce, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in flour, salt, and pepper, then slowly pour in chicken broth, whisking continuously. Whisk until thick and nearly boiling, then stir in 2 cups cheese until melted. Pour cheese sauce into cooked rice mixture, then transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with additional 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted through.

Nutrition

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