Wild Rice and Kale Chicken Casserole – Hearty and delicious casserole made with chicken, wild rice, kale and a good dose of cheese.
I’m feeding you kale. Again. You’re welcome??
Um… yes, of course YOU’re welcome! Healthy wild rice and kale is what you and I craaaave… Always!
Also? Confession.
I went to the store 3 times in one day to make this for you. You know why? Becaaaaause I forgot my list.
Rule #1 of the Food Club: NEVER go to the grocery store without a list. ONE, you will forget what you needed. TWO, you will buy things you never did before, like soda pop. No one in this household even drinks it!.
Rule #2 of the Food Club: See Rule #1.
Even an app for grocery lists couldn’t save me basically because I can’t save myself from all the food distractions. My current obsession; kale. I remembered to get kale, but forgot the rice. I went back to get the rice, thought I had chicken at home, but NOPE! I had to go back. Duh. Don’t listen to me. I’m just hungry.
One more confession? I was so tired of running around, I bought a rotisserie chicken for din din.
So this recipe, technically, is good for you. Even with all the cheese, we’re still good. What may irk you a bit is all the time that it takes to cook wild rice. Ugh.
But once you’re done with that, it’s smooth sailing. Unless you don’t have leftover cooked chicken… then it’s going to take a bit more than a smooth sail…
You know what’s best about this dish? All the switcharoos and subs that you can do! No wild rice? Use white rice, instead. No chicken? You can do without it! No kale? Spinach is good, too! But, keep the kale. It’s really, really great in this.
And now I’m gonna run to the store with a LIST that includes a jar of Nutella. Oh, me so lucky!
ENJOY!
Wild Rice and Kale Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion
- 4 garlic cloves , minced
- 8- ounces (about 2-1/2 to 3 chicken breasts) cooked chicken breasts, cut into cubes (leftover chicken is great in this recipe)
- 4 cups chopped kale leaves , packed
- salt and fresh ground pepper , to taste
- 1 cup spaghetti/pasta sauce
- 1/2 cup crumbled bleu cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh cherry tomatoes , quartered, for garnish (optional)
- 2 green onions , green parts only, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil and stir in 1 cup wild rice.
- Reduce heat and simmer covered for 40 to 45 minutes or just until kernels puff open.
- Uncover and fluff with a fork; let simmer an additional five minutes. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 375.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet.
- Add onions and cook for 2 minutes, or until just tender.
- Add garlic and continue to cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally, or until garlic is fragrant.
- Add cubed cooked chicken and continue to cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until chicken is heated through.
- Stir in chopped kale and season with salt and pepper; stirring frequently, cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until wilted.
- Remove from heat.
- Grease a casserole dish with cooking spray; set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cooked wild rice, chicken mixture, pasta sauce and bleu cheese; mix until well combined.
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
- Top with cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
- Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh tomatoes and green onions.
- Serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Categories:
Can I use 1 minute instant wild rice? If so, how can I use it?
Hi Carissa! Sure! Just prepare it as directed on the package and then continue with the recipe, starting at Step 4 in the recipe Instructions. Hope you get a chance to try it!
I made this for dinner and it was yummy! I subbed gorgonzola for the blue cheese because I already had it. Like you, I forgot my list when I went to the store, but I was not dedicated enough to go back!
After eating, I realized I had forgotten to top the dish with tomatoes. Then I realized they’re not on the ingredients list. Neither, apparently, is the white shredded cheese in the picture. Would you mind sharing what kind of cheese you topped it with (three cheeses in a casserole? Count me in!) and the quantity of tomatoes you used? Did you add the tomatoes before or after cooking? Thanks!
Hi Andi!! I made all the updates in the recipe. So sorry about that! You want to use about 1/2 cup cheddar cheese on top, and after it’s baked, top it with fresh cherry tomatoes and a bit of green onions.
I’m happy to know you enjoyed the dish! Thank you!!
Seriously amazing, I love everything about this recipe. Warm and comforting for this brisk winter we’re having.
This casserole looks amazing! I love using wild rice in casseroles because it’s usually a little too “healthy” tasting for me to eat plain…haha.
I’d make 3 trips to the store if it resulted in this pan of deliciousness. This sounds so darn good.
Pinned and Stumbled. That looks ah-mazing.
I am notorious for forgetting stuff. Also for getting distracted walking down supermarket aisles and end up with things I 100% will NEVER use. Sigh… Anyway, this wild rice, kale, and chicken casserole is the bees knees. I pinned that situation because I need it in my life.
Your photos are always so pretty!!!
Oh yeah – the club stores are so dangerous! I never get out of there without spending over $100! What a gorgeous dish – and I’d gladly eat any of your recipes with kale any time!
Haha, I totally forget stuff even when I bring a list with me. It’s probably because my list takes up an entire page! 😉
Love this simple recipe, Kate! Wild rice is one of my favs!
I love making one-dish casserole recipes this time of year. So easy with the protein, veggies, and starch all in one!
I love kale and this recipe looks awesome because it’s all you need in one dish! Nice balance!
I think this casserole is just what I want on a cold winter day. I am always forgetting stuff at the store and the problem is I bring the list. I just somehow always miss something.
I love everything about this dish! It totally looks worth all those grocery trips!
I LOVE that you’re feeding us kale again! This is something I have to make for my family. We love all of these ingredients, plus it’s healthy. Win-win!
That sounds like every day for us, endless trips to the store. This casserole looks amazing!
HAHA! I can’t even imagine how often you two have to shop for food since you’re both blogging about it! Can I move in? We’d never be hungry! 😉 Thank you, Matt!
What a great recipe for leftover chicken! I’m pretty lucky if I can skip a day!
Oh yum! Hello, dinner!
Hate hate hate forgetting things at the store — seriously the worst. BUT at least one good thing came out of it — this chicken casserole. It looks so comforting, warm, delicious….and wait….it’s healthy??! What?! 🙂
this sounds amazing
This looks delicious! Might have to try it over the weekend. AND, did you know that February 5th is WORLD NUTELLA DAY? No joke! A new nutella recipe from your kitchen might be in order. Think of all the testing you would have to do!
That’s exactly what I had in mind!! Hopefully what I have in mind will turn out so that I can share it! 😀 Thank you, Kathy!!