Paula Deen's Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

Paula Deen's Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole is the perfect marriage of comfort food and Southern charm. This hearty dish features tender shredded chicken, a nutty wild rice blend, and a rich, creamy base made from cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soups. Sautéed onions and celery add a pop of freshness, while a golden, buttery cracker topping provides irresistible crunch. Topped with melty cheddar cheese and baked to bubbly perfection, this casserole is an easy yet indulgent weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing potluck dish. Ready in just under an hour and serving up to six, it’s a flavorful, cozy classic you’ll want to make again and again. Keywords: chicken and wild rice casserole, comfort food, Paula Deen recipe, easy casserole recipe, creamy chicken dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 cups Chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 4 cups Wild rice blend, cooked
• 1 can (10.5 oz) Cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can (10.5 oz) Cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup Sour cream
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 2 stalks Celery, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 cup Crushed buttery crackers (e.g., Ritz)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and celery, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.

Step 4

Add the cooked wild rice, shredded chicken, and sautéed onion and celery to the soup mixture. Stir until everything is evenly combined.

Step 5

Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out in an even layer.

Step 6

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 7

In a small bowl, combine the crushed buttery crackers with 1 tablespoon of melted butter (optional, for extra crispness). Sprinkle the cracker mixture over the cheese layer.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.

Step 9

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your comforting Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3243.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4924.5

Total Fat 206.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 95.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.9g
Cholesterol 1184.9mg	0%
Sodium 6438.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 375.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.2g	0%
Total Sugars 57.0g
Protein 394.2g	0%

Vitamin D 187.1IU	0%
Calcium 1776.6mg	0%
Iron 22.9mg	0%
Potassium 4382.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.7%

Protein: 31.9%

Carbs: 30.4%