Recipe: Chicken and Wild Rice Bake (2024)

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Jessica Fisher

Jessica FisherContributor

Jessica Fisher loves French food, creamy coffee, and great meals that don't cost a fortune. Mom of six children, she's written four cookbooks and five million to-do lists. Find her latest projects at Good Cheap Eats.

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updated May 1, 2019

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Recipe: Chicken and Wild Rice Bake (1)

Serves4 to 6

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Recipe: Chicken and Wild Rice Bake (2)

I first started making this dish for my parents and siblings when I was in high school. As the eldest girl, I claimed free reign over the kitchen. Over the years I transitioned the recipe from using Cornish hens and boxed rice mix to easier-to-wield chicken pieces and a homemade blend of rice and seasonings.

I’ve only used long-grain rice in this dish, but my new Costco find of short-grain brown rice has me eager to make this again soon.

Don’t be intimidated by the long cooking time; this is to accommodate the hands-off aspect of cooking the brown rice and the chicken together. Drippings from the chicken blend with the rice and seasonings to make a delicious sauce.

Be patient and curl up with a good book while you wait. You really do get to put your feet up with this meal, and the results will have your diners licking their plates.

Tester’s Notes

I confess the simplicity of this recipe made me a bit nervous. Could I really throw brown rice and chicken in the oven together? Would they be ready at the same time? The answer is a resounding yes.

As Jessica mentions, this does bake for nearly two hours, and into the second hour I was still nervous, as the rice didn’t appear to be soaking up the liquid. But then, around 1 hour 50 minutes, boom — the rice was moist, fluffy, and ready, seemingly all at once.

The long baking time does lead us to recommend bone-in chicken thighs instead of breasts, however. I also added a small amount of smoked paprika for flavor and color.

All in all, this is an incredibly easy and quick freezer meal to assemble — just a bit of chopping and mixing and it’s ready to freeze. On the other end, it bakes up delicious, savory, and comforting. A great family meal.

Faith, February 2015

Serve This With

  • Quick, Easy and Moist Whole Wheat Muffins (these also bake at 375°F).
  • Greek-Style Braised Green Beans (start when the chicken goes into the oven).
Comments

Serves 4 to 6

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup

    chopped onion

  • 1/2 cup

    sliced fresh mushrooms

  • 1 stalk

    celery, chopped

  • 2 pounds

    bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 4 large)

  • 1/2 cup

    vinaigrette of choice

  • 2 cups

    long-grain brown rice

  • 2 tablespoons

    wild rice

  • 1 teaspoon

    smoked paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    dried thyme

  • 1 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    freshly ground black peppper

  • 4 cups

    low-sodium chicken broth

  • Cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Prep your bags: Label a 2-gallon freezer bag “Chicken and Wild Rice Bake” and include baking instructions. You will also need a gallon-sized bag, a quart-sized bag, and a sandwich bag. (If you prefer not to use bags you can use glass freezer containers instead.)

  2. Prep the vegetables: Spread the onion, mushrooms, and celery in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for about 20 minutes. After they are frozen, remove them from the freezer, place them in the sandwich bag, and seal.

  3. Prep the chicken: Combine the chicken thighs and vinaigrette in a gallon-size freezer bag. Seal and massage the bag to coat the chicken.

  4. Prep the rice: Combine the brown rice, wild rice, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper in the quart-size freezer bag.

Freezing Instructions

  1. Place all 3 bags in the labeled 2-gallon bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Thawing Instructions

  1. Remove the bag containing the marinade and chicken from the larger bag. Place the bag of chicken in a dish and thaw overnight in the refrigerator or until completely thawed. The remaining ingredients can stay in the freezer.

Baking Instructions

  1. When ready to cook, arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 375°F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

  2. Combine the rice mixture and the vegetables in the baking dish. Stir in the broth. Remove the thawed chicken pieces from the marinade and place them atop the rice. Discard the marinade left in the bag.

  3. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. Uncover and bake until the rice absorbs most of the liquid and the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear, 45 minutes to 1 hour more. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Vinaiagrette: Use your favorite vinaigrette here, or whisk together 2 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar, 1 teaspoon mustard, and 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reprinted with permission from Not Your Mother's Make-Ahead and Freeze Cookbook by Jessica Fisher, copyright © 2012. Published by Harvard Common Press.

Filed in:

Casserole

Chicken

Dairy-Free

dinner

easy

Freezer Friendly

Recipe: Chicken and Wild Rice Bake (2024)

FAQs

What to add to chicken and rice to make it taste better? ›

My four ingredient, homemade seasoned salt is responsible for adding a ton of flavor to this recipe. It's a simple yet effective combo of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.

How to make chicken and rice not dry? ›

Add Chicken and Rice along with a splash of chicken broth or water to a skillet. Heat over medium heat until warmed through, stirring often. If the rice is still thick, stir in additional liquid one tablespoon at a time. You can also add additional butter and salt to taste as the salt will mellow when refrigerated.

How to make chicken and rice less boring? ›

When I cook rice, I usually add a little bit of salt, butter, and parsley to give it some more flavor. Then serve with a nice baked chicken seasoned with some rosemary, salt, pepper and garlic. If you only cook chicken and rice without seasoning then your cooking will be absolutely bland.

How to make chicken more flavorful? ›

Add a touch of spice to your chicken breast by combining paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic and olive oil to create a paste. Then cover your chicken breast with the paste and pat down to secure.

How to jazz up chicken and rice? ›

Cut them up, cut the chicken into bite size pieces, toss all with olive oil and whatever seasoning you like. I use paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.

Can raw chicken and rice be cooked together? ›

it's a one pan dinner – the raw rice and chicken are cooked together at the same time; completely hands off – unlike cooking rice on the stove which requires more attention, you just put the pan in the oven, set the timer and walk away; quick to prepare – active prep time is under 10 minutes; and.

How do you thicken chicken and rice? ›

If you'd like an even thicker soup, remove a ladleful of the liquid and mix with one tablespoon of flour. Return the mixture to the soup and boil until thickened to the desired consistency!

How long does it take to bake chicken breast? ›

If you're following a specific recipe, then don't deviate! Otherwise, follow this general formula: Cook large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts for 20 to 30 minutes in a 375-degree-F oven. Cook large, bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts for 35 to 40 minutes in a 375-degree-F oven.

Does mayo taste good with rice? ›

Some rice salads with mayonnaise recipes are meat-free and taste incredible, but if you want a rice salad that will bust the lunchtime hunger, meat is a mouth-watering addition. Tuna is low in fat and compliments the mayonnaise in a rice salad, so this is a healthier protein you may want to try.

What is the best vegetable to eat with chicken and rice? ›

Green Beans [Vegetable]

Green beans are a favorite choice because of their vibrant color and crisp texture. They can be blanched, steamed, or sautéed, adding freshness and a satisfying crunch to the meal.

What is chicken over rice white sauce made of? ›

For the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, sugar, vinegar, lemon juice, parsley, and 2 teaspoons black pepper. Whisk to combine. Season to taste with salt.

Why is my chicken and rice gummy? ›

Unwashed rice

If the grains aren't washed before cooking, the excess starch present in rice will make the rice sticky when it's in hot water. Rinse the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear. You can also place rice and water in a bowl and change the water several times.

How to add flavor to rice? ›

6 Add-ins to Upgrade White Rice
  1. Alternative Cooking Liquid. For an effortless yet dramatic difference, infuse your rice with flavored cooking water or use more aromatic liquid like broth or juice. ...
  2. Cheese. ...
  3. Vegetables. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Herbs and Seasonings. ...
  6. Nopalitos or Cactus Pads.

What can I mix with rice to make it taste better? ›

As for those additions, here they are:
  1. Stir in a tablespoon or more of butter.
  2. Stir in a tablespoon or more of olive oil.
  3. Drizzle with soy sauce.
  4. Add lots of pepper.
  5. Stir in a couple of tablespoons minced fresh herbs, ideally warmed first in melted butter.
Oct 18, 2019

How do you add flavor to rice when cooking? ›

You can season your rice with a variety of herbs, spices, broths, milks or sauces. If you prefer a Mediterranean flavor profile, cook your rice using chicken broth, lemon juice, garlic and onion. For a rich and creamy rice dish with a kick, cook the rice in coconut milk infused with spicy peppers.

What can I eat with rice to make it taste better? ›

Take a look at a few of our favorite ingredients to add in to your meals.
  1. Alternative Cooking Liquid. For an effortless yet dramatic difference, infuse your rice with flavored cooking water or use more aromatic liquid like broth or juice. ...
  2. Cheese. ...
  3. Vegetables. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Herbs and Seasonings. ...
  6. Nopalitos or Cactus Pads.

How do you make rice with more flavor? ›

“Instead of water, use either vegetable or chicken stock. Homemade is ideal, but plenty of premade boxed stocks exist for convenience. Add stock to the hot pan with vegetables and toasted rice.” He explains that toasting the rice first adds a layer of nutty flavor and creates more depth.

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