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Home » Recipes » Casseroles

healthy chicken wild rice casserole

November 30, 2017 42 Comments

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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! 

Healthy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole - 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! #butternutsquash #winterrecipes #casserole #comfortfood #healthyrecipes #dinnerrecipes #wildrice #chicken #glutenfree #glutenfreerecipes #bluebowlrecipes | bluebowlrecipes.com this recipe

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.

Healthy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole - 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! #butternutsquash #winterrecipes #casserole #comfortfood #healthyrecipes #dinnerrecipes #wildrice #chicken #glutenfree #glutenfreerecipes #bluebowlrecipes | bluebowlrecipes.com

 

Healthy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole - 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! #butternutsquash #winterrecipes #casserole #comfortfood #healthyrecipes #dinnerrecipes #wildrice #chicken #glutenfree #glutenfreerecipes #bluebowlrecipes | bluebowlrecipes.com

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?

Healthy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole - 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! #butternutsquash #winterrecipes #casserole #comfortfood #healthyrecipes #dinnerrecipes #wildrice #chicken #glutenfree #glutenfreerecipes #bluebowlrecipes | bluebowlrecipes.com

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!

Healthy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole - 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! #butternutsquash #winterrecipes #casserole #comfortfood #healthyrecipes #dinnerrecipes #wildrice #chicken #glutenfree #glutenfreerecipes #bluebowlrecipes | bluebowlrecipes.com

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!

Healthy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole - 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! #butternutsquash #winterrecipes #casserole #comfortfood #healthyrecipes #dinnerrecipes #wildrice #chicken #glutenfree #glutenfreerecipes #bluebowlrecipes | bluebowlrecipes.com

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Healthy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

An easy and wholesome comfort food casserole made with wild rice, chicken, and butternut squash.
5 from 16 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Casserole
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 411kcal

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

Calories: 411kcal
 

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Comments

  1. Jamie says

    February 03, 2023 at 10:35 am

    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?

    Reply
    • Stephanie Simmons says

      February 04, 2023 at 11:47 am

      Hi Jamie! That should be just fine. ☺️

      Reply
  2. Abbey says

    January 09, 2023 at 7:19 pm

    5 stars
    Easy, simple, and FLAVORFUL! The combo of ingredients is perfection. This will be a regular!

    Reply
    • Stephanie Simmons says

      January 11, 2023 at 1:14 pm

      Thanks, Abbey! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Allison says

    January 07, 2022 at 8:43 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Stephanie Simmons says

      January 17, 2022 at 4:37 pm

      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!

      Reply
  4. Kathy says

    March 11, 2020 at 10:23 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Stephanie Simmons says

      January 07, 2021 at 2:32 pm

      That sounds like a great addition, Kathy! Glad you liked this recipe.

      Reply
  5. Rezel Kealoha says

    December 09, 2017 at 10:40 pm

    I love love wild rice! The texture is so good and it has a nice nutty taste. This recipe is a must try!

    Reply
    • bluebowl says

      December 10, 2017 at 3:20 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  6. April says

    December 09, 2017 at 8:28 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • bluebowl says

      December 10, 2017 at 3:20 pm

      Wild rice is the best! I don’t really like white rice so it’s a great alternative for me 🙂

      Reply
  7. Carmen says

    December 09, 2017 at 7:41 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • bluebowl says

      December 10, 2017 at 3:20 pm

      Thanks so much!! I hope you enjoy it 🙂

      Reply
  8. Martha Albers says

    December 09, 2017 at 7:07 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • bluebowl says

      December 10, 2017 at 3:21 pm

      Thank you! I am not about that tasteless “healthy” food, haha!

      Reply
  9. Elizabeth | The Recipe Revival says

    December 09, 2017 at 1:23 pm

    5 stars
    I’m loving the butternut squash/wild rice combo! This dish is like perfect comfort food!

    Reply
    • bluebowl says

      December 10, 2017 at 3:21 pm

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Helene says

    December 09, 2017 at 11:04 am

    5 stars
    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. 🙂

    Reply
    • bluebowl says

      December 10, 2017 at 3:21 pm

      Thanks so much!! 🙂 Hope you love it!

      Reply
  11. Karyl | Karyl's Kulinary Krusade says

    December 09, 2017 at 9:03 am

    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

    Reply
    • bluebowl says

      December 10, 2017 at 3:22 pm

      I bet this would be great with sweet potato!! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Catherine Brown says

    December 08, 2017 at 9:44 pm

    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! 🙂

    Reply
    • bluebowl says

      December 10, 2017 at 3:22 pm

      Definitely!! You could also add in some extra veggies if you want! Sweet potato comes to mind 🙂

      Reply
  13. Maman de sara says

    December 08, 2017 at 8:43 pm

    I never made anything with wild rice, so now may be it’s the right time, especially in this cold weather.

    Reply
    • bluebowl says

      December 10, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      Absolutely! Wild rice is quite delicious 🙂

      Reply
  14. swathi says

    December 08, 2017 at 7:05 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • bluebowl says

      December 10, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      Thanks so much!

      Reply
  15. Elizabeth says

    December 08, 2017 at 9:29 am

    5 stars
    Mmm this sounds like a great way to use up those leftovers! I reckon it would work with turkey too?

    Reply
    • bluebowl says

      December 12, 2017 at 2:17 pm

      Absolutely! 🙂

      Reply
  16. Jenn says

    December 07, 2017 at 3:11 pm

    5 stars
    This is going to be great for the family, my kids will love it and nice and healthy for them!!

    Reply
    • bluebowl says

      December 12, 2017 at 2:17 pm

      Hooray! 🙂

      Reply
  17. Amelie says

    December 07, 2017 at 2:55 pm

    5 stars
    Exactly the kind of recipe I love making for a family dinner. It sounds and looks lovely!

    Reply
    • bluebowl says

      December 12, 2017 at 2:17 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  18. Michelle @ Pineneedlesinmysalad says

    December 07, 2017 at 12:48 pm

    5 stars
    This does look divine and comforting. I happen to have some wild rice on hand…I’ll be making this one! Yum!

    Reply
    • bluebowl says

      December 12, 2017 at 2:17 pm

      Glad to hear it! 🙂

      Reply
  19. Patty says

    December 07, 2017 at 5:39 am

    5 stars
    Such a delicious meal recipe, love it! Casseroles are so delicious!

    Reply
    • bluebowl says

      December 12, 2017 at 2:17 pm

      Yes they are! 🙂

      Reply
  20. Anne-Marie says

    December 06, 2017 at 8:42 am

    5 stars
    Love easy and delicious casseroles and this recipe ticks all the boxes! Love that it uses wild rice instead of plain rice.

    Reply
  21. Carrie says

    December 05, 2017 at 1:58 pm

    5 stars
    Casseroles are the best! This one looks both easy and delicious!

    Reply
  22. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says

    December 05, 2017 at 12:20 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Butternut Squash Recipe Roundup for Friday's Featured Foodie Feastings says:
    August 31, 2018 at 5:02 am

    […] Healthy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole from Blue Bowl Recipes […]

    Reply

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