An easy and wholesome comfort food casserole made with wild rice, chicken, butternut squash, a little parmesan, and cozy spices like thyme and sage. Healthy food meets comfort food in the most delicious way!
This is cold-weather comfort food at it’s finest. This is your winter dinner go-to. This is a wholesome comfort food casserole. This is Healthy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole.
So – what have we got going on here, exactly? A bunch of real, wholesome, good-for-you ingredients like butternut squash, wild rice, chicken, onion, a lil parmesan cheese and a handful of spices. Yummo.
But the real superstars are the wild rice + the butternut squash.
Look at those gorgeous super star foods. Easy on the eyes and the tummy!
There are so many things I love about this casserole but if I absolutely had to pick one? It would be the fact that everything about this tastes like comfort food while actually being super healthy.
I mean, you can argue me on the cheese, but c’mon. It gives a beautifully crunchy texture to the top of the casserole when popped in the oven for a few minutes. How can you say no to that?
I think we need to go back and talk about that squash a little bit more. Look at that golden-orangey goodness!
When you sauté the squash, it takes on an almost caramelized flavor that is just The. Best.
I discovered this by a happy little accident when I started to almost burn the squash while cooking it ? So obviously, this recipe is super user-friendly. I almost burnt part of it and it still turned out amazing. Total pro over here, people. Healthy chicken wild rice casserole is the perfect way to kick off this winter/holiday season on a nutritious note.
With that said, I’m off to work on a gingerbread cookie recipe – because balance ❤
Happy eating, friends!
If you love cozy, comforting casseroles that also pack a little bit of nutritional punch, make this Cheesy Pasta Bake with Sausage and Peppers next!
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Healthy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- About 2 cups of butternut squash, cubed
- 1 cup wild rice measured when uncooked
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp sage
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive Oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8x8 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook rice according to package directions and set aside.
- While the rice is cooking, cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Toss with the thyme, sage, salt and pepper. Heat a tablespoon or two of olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until done (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from pan and set aside on a paper-towel lined plate.
- Add the diced onion and butternut squash to the pan with another tablespoon of olive oil. Add a pinch of salt + pepper. Cook about 6-8 minutes, until squash is a little tender - but not fully cooked.
- Add the chicken, wild rice, and 1/2 cup of parmesan to the squash/onion mixture and stir to combine. Add the entire mixture to prepared dish.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Add the remaining parmesan cheese to the top of casserole and bake about 5 more minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- Note: You can easily double this recipe! I made a smaller batch because I'm only feeding Grant + myself, but it doubles well. You can also adjust the cheese amount up or down depending on how much you like cheese!
Nutrition
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Jamie says
Just came across this on Pinterest– looks yummy! Wondering how it would work out without the cheese? I’m eliminating dairy (but my family could add cheese on top after baking). Let me know if you think that might work?
Stephanie Simmons says
Hi Jamie! That should be just fine. ☺️
Abbey says
Easy, simple, and FLAVORFUL! The combo of ingredients is perfection. This will be a regular!
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks, Abbey! 🙂
Allison says
Made this last night, and it was delicious! Even my picky 15-year old said she liked it. I did add a lot more cheese than the recipe calls for, but other than that I followed it pretty exactly. I’ll definitely be making this again.
Stephanie Simmons says
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, Allison! Glad you and your kiddo enjoyed the casserole. 🙂 I always end up adding more cheese too haha!
Kathy says
Very good! I live in an area that wild rice grows so I love to try new recipes with it. I did add some quartered Brussels sprouts because I can’t get enough of them.
Stephanie Simmons says
That sounds like a great addition, Kathy! Glad you liked this recipe.
Rezel Kealoha says
I love love wild rice! The texture is so good and it has a nice nutty taste. This recipe is a must try!
bluebowl says
Thank you!
April says
Delicious casserole! I have yet to try wild rice. I’m going to add it to my to do list because I am getting a bit tired of regular white rice.
bluebowl says
Wild rice is the best! I don’t really like white rice so it’s a great alternative for me 🙂
Carmen says
Life is not lived well without that “balance”, haha. I love the sounds of this healthy comfort food! I will have to give it a whirl and see how my fanily likes it. I am always on the prowl for delicious healthy meals.
bluebowl says
Thanks so much!! I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Martha Albers says
Usually when recipes start with “healthy” I worry about them being tasteless. But this one really looks amazing! Great week-night dinner on those busy days.
bluebowl says
Thank you! I am not about that tasteless “healthy” food, haha!
Elizabeth | The Recipe Revival says
I’m loving the butternut squash/wild rice combo! This dish is like perfect comfort food!
bluebowl says
Thank you! 🙂
Helene says
Love the wild rice close up! Makes me want to buy some right now and make your dish. I adore chicken and rice as a Sunday meal, unfortunately shops are already closed so can’t try that for tomorrow. But I will save it for another Sunday in the future. 🙂
bluebowl says
Thanks so much!! 🙂 Hope you love it!
Karyl | Karyl's Kulinary Krusade says
There’s nothing wrong with a little cheese! Or a lot of cheese… 🙂 I don’t use wild rice nearly as much as I should, and this dish looks super delicious. I have a sweet potato that I need to use, and this would be a great way to do it
bluebowl says
I bet this would be great with sweet potato!! 🙂
Catherine Brown says
I love coming across beautiful recipes that I know will be equally delicious if I leave the meat out… this is one of those recipes for sure! 🙂
bluebowl says
Definitely!! You could also add in some extra veggies if you want! Sweet potato comes to mind 🙂
Maman de sara says
I never made anything with wild rice, so now may be it’s the right time, especially in this cold weather.
bluebowl says
Absolutely! Wild rice is quite delicious 🙂
swathi says
I eat rice everyday, but never got a chance to try wild rice, Your casserole rice with squash looks really yum. I need to give it a try.
bluebowl says
Thanks so much!
Elizabeth says
Mmm this sounds like a great way to use up those leftovers! I reckon it would work with turkey too?
bluebowl says
Absolutely! 🙂
Jenn says
This is going to be great for the family, my kids will love it and nice and healthy for them!!
bluebowl says
Hooray! 🙂
Amelie says
Exactly the kind of recipe I love making for a family dinner. It sounds and looks lovely!
bluebowl says
Thank you!
Michelle @ Pineneedlesinmysalad says
This does look divine and comforting. I happen to have some wild rice on hand…I’ll be making this one! Yum!
bluebowl says
Glad to hear it! 🙂
Patty says
Such a delicious meal recipe, love it! Casseroles are so delicious!
bluebowl says
Yes they are! 🙂
Anne-Marie says
Love easy and delicious casseroles and this recipe ticks all the boxes! Love that it uses wild rice instead of plain rice.
Carrie says
Casseroles are the best! This one looks both easy and delicious!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
Yup…we are squash lovers here. Use it all the time in soups, stews…and delicious casseroles like this. What a great weeknight dinner…and would easily feed a hungry crowd at a potluck too.