Cold weather means belly-warming hearty casseroles like this one! Tender chicken bits, sweet butternut squash, wild rice, and cranberries are the perfect combination!
A Cool Weather Favorite
Few things say cool weather like a cozy meal from the oven. This delicious recipe comes from The Well Plated Cookbook written by Erin Clarke (you may already know her amazing recipes from her site Well Plated). You know I can never pass up a great casserole recipe and this one is definitely great!
Where do I even begin with how much I love this book! All of the recipes I have made from The Well Plated Cookbook have been perfect (this week’s other fave was coconut banana bread pudding; a MUST try!). Recipes are clear, concise, and easy to follow and best of all, they were all delicious! This gorgeous book is a welcome addition to any cookbook collection and makes for a beautiful gift idea. You can order a copy of The Well Plated Cookbook here. I was really excited to share this wild rice casserole recipe with you because I love all of the ingredients. I also loved that this casserole was packed with flavor and didn’t need a heavy sauce or tons of cheese. It’s a one-dish entrée that has all the food groups in it: protein, starch, veggies—even fruit! And it’s so good the next day!
Ingredients
RICE For this recipe, we used long grain wild rice blend but even brown rice (or any kind of cooked rice) will do in a pinch. CHICKEN Chicken thighs are roasted while the rice cooks and stay tender and juicy in this recipe. FLAVORS Dried cranberries add a sweet tangy flavor while pecans add a nutty richness.
Time Saving Tips
This recipe has a few steps but if you’re short on time, here are a few of our fave time savers:
substitute rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken for the chicken thighs use leftover rice or pre-cooked rice butternut squash is often sold cubed (or frozen) purchase nuts that are chopped and cheese that is pre-shredded
How to Make Chicken & Rice Casserole
Chicken and wild rice casserole has a few simple steps to tasty casserole perfection! Here’s the basic overview:
Leftovers
Keep this casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Reheat it by popping it in the microwave and adding a bit of hot sauce or extra Parmesan to it! Chicken and wild rice casserole can be frozen for make-ahead meals or batch cooking. Freeze in an airtight container and write the date on the outside.
More Favorite Casseroles
Chicken Stuffing Casserole – one-dish meal Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole – perfect any time of day Cheesy Vegetable Casserole – a great holiday dish Sweet Potato Casserole – anytime side dish Hamburger Potato Casserole – easy prep Creamy Turkey Casserole – budget-friendly Cheesy Chicken Casserole – so hearty and filling Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole – easy clean up
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