Chicken Casserole Dinner
A hearty chicken casserole featuring tender chicken, wild rice, and a savory mushroom sauce, perfect for comforting family dinners with rich flavors and aromatic herbs.
Ingredients
- 1 (1 3/8 oz.) package dehydrated onion soup ⓘ
- 1 pint sour cream ⓘ
- 3 (2 1/2 lb.) frying chickens, chopped ⓘ
- 2 cups dry sherry ⓘ
- 1 cup water ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- dash of pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil ⓘ
- pinch of thyme
- 1 teaspoon curry powder ⓘ
- 6 tablespoons minced fresh parsley ⓘ
- 1 (10 1/2 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked wild rice ⓘ
Instructions
- Blend the dehydrated onion soup into the sour cream and let stand for 2 hours.
- Place the chopped frying chickens in a roasting pan, pour sherry and water over them.
- Sprinkle with salt, pepper, dried basil, thyme, curry powder, and minced parsley; cover the roaster tightly.
- Bake at 300°F for 1 1/2 hours, or until the meat falls off the bones.
- Remove the chicken from the pan to cool.
- Strain juices from the pan into a saucepan and simmer until reduced to 1 1/2 cups.
- Blend in the cream of mushroom soup until smooth and heat for a few minutes.
- Slowly combine with canned cream of mushroom soup and the sour cream mixture, pouring hot liquid into the sour cream gradually to prevent curdling.
- Cook the wild rice according to package directions.
- Skin and bone the cooled chicken, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine the chicken with cooked rice and turn into a buttered casserole dish.
- Pour the mushroom sauce over the mixture and toss lightly.
- Heat the casserole uncovered at 250°F for 30 minutes before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken in the sherry and spices overnight. If you don't have wild rice, brown rice can be a suitable substitute, though cooking times may vary. To enhance the dish, you could add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the casserole. If you prefer a thicker sauce, cornstarch can be mixed with a little water and added during the simmering process.
Serving Suggestions
This chicken casserole pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans. For a heartier meal, serve it alongside crusty bread or a side of mashed potatoes. You could also explore other delicious chicken recipes for variety, such as Helen'S Chicken Gumbo or Saralyn'S Chicken Tetrazzini.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the casserole in a preheated oven at 250°F until heated through, about 20-30 minutes. You can also microwave individual servings, covered, for quick reheating, stirring occasionally for even warmth.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Casserole Dinner contains roughly 190 calories, with 10g protein, 31g carbohydrates, and 7g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (90% of the Daily Value), iron (67% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (50% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 747mg per serving (32% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat in this casserole?
Yes, you can substitute the frying chickens with other meats like turkey or even a mix of chicken thighs and breasts. Just ensure the cooking time is adjusted according to the meat used to ensure it's fully cooked and tender.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole up to the point of baking, cover it, and refrigerate it for a day. When ready to bake, just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time to account for the chilled ingredients.
Is there a vegetarian version of this casserole?
While this recipe is meat-based, you can create a vegetarian version by using hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers, along with a plant-based protein like chickpeas or lentils. Substitute the chicken broth for vegetable broth for added flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).