Why You’ll Love This this Chicken & Artichoke Wild Rice
This hearty casserole brings together tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and tangy artichoke hearts in one comforting dish that practically screams “weeknight dinner winner.”
The creamy cheese and sour cream sauce binds everything together like a warm hug, while that pop of red bell pepper adds just enough color to make you feel like you’re actually eating vegetables.
Plus, with most of the work happening in the oven, you can throw this together and then go collapse on the couch while it does its magic – because honestly, who’s energy for complicated cooking on a Tuesday?
Ingredients List
Everything you need for this snug casserole is probably already hanging out in your pantry, which is exactly the kind of weeknight miracle we’re all looking for.
- 1 (6 1/4 ounce) package long grain and wild rice blend (plus ingredients to make rice according to package directions)
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 (14 ounce) can water-packed artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped (not marinated)
- 3 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1/4 cup sliced green onion
- 1 (12 ounce) jar chicken gravy
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
A Few Things Worth Mentioning:
- That jarred gravy might make purists cringe, but honestly, it’s a Tuesday night lifesaver and keeps the sodium manageable compared to some alternatives
- Water-packed artichokes are your friend here – the marinated ones will turn this whole thing into a salty mess that nobody asked for
- If you’ve got leftover rotisserie chicken lurking in your fridge, this is its moment to shine, though any cooked chicken will work just fine
- The wild rice blend adds some actual nutritional value with extra fiber and protein, so you can feel slightly virtuous about this comfort food situation
Step by Step Directions
This hearty one-dish meal comes together in about 45 minutes with mostly hands-off prep time.
- Prepare rice mix according to package directions.
- Mix together rice mixture, bell pepper, artichokes, chicken and green onion and spoon into 9 x 9 square pan.
- In separate bowl, mix together gravy, sour cream and shredded cheese.
- Pour gravy mixture over rice/chicken mixture.
- Bake for about 25 minutes at 350°F.
For best results, use a professional mediterranean cookware set to enhance the authentic flavors of this Mediterranean-inspired dish.
Substitutions and Variations
- Make it lighter – Greek yogurt instead of sour cream cuts calories without sacrificing that tangy creaminess we’re all here for.
- Spice it up – A pinch of garlic powder, dried herbs like thyme or oregano, or even a dash of hot sauce can wake up those flavors.
- Different artichokes – Marinated artichokes add more flavor, just drain them well so your casserole doesn’t get soggy.
Additional Things to Serve With This Dish
This hearty casserole plays well with others, especially lighter sides that won’t compete for attention.
- Simple green salad – Something crisp and fresh cuts through all that creamy richness, and honestly, we could all use more greens on our plates.
- Steamed broccoli or green beans – Quick, easy, and they add that pop of color your dinner plate is probably craving.
- Crusty bread or dinner rolls – Because sometimes you need something to soak up every last bit of that cheesy gravy goodness.
- Roasted asparagus – Toss with olive oil and garlic, roast for 15 minutes, and you’ve got yourself a fancy-looking vegetable that took zero effort.
- Caesar salad – The tangy dressing and crunchy croutons make a nice contrast to the soft, warm casserole.
- Garlic bread – Look, I’m not saying you need carbs with your rice casserole, but I’m not saying you don’t either.
Cooking Tips & Tricks (Chef’s Notes)
A few little tricks can take this casserole from good to absolutely worth fighting over at the dinner table.
- Don’t skip the rice prep – Make sure your rice is fully cooked and has absorbed all its liquid before mixing, because nobody wants crunchy rice hiding in their creamy casserole.
- Drain those artichokes well – Give them a good squeeze in a clean kitchen towel if you have to, since extra water will make your casserole watery and sad.
- Use rotisserie chicken – Why make life harder than it needs to be when the grocery store has perfectly good cooked chicken just sitting there waiting for you?
- Let it rest for 5 minutes – I know it smells amazing and you want to plunge right in, but letting it sit helps everything set up properly and saves your tongue from molten cheese burns.
- Cover with foil if the top browns too fast – Some ovens run hot, and nobody wants burnt cheese when you’re going for golden and bubbly.
- Taste your gravy mixture first – Some jarred gravies are saltier than others, so give it a quick taste and adjust with a pinch of pepper or garlic powder if needed.
- Make it ahead – Assemble the whole thing in the morning, cover it, stick it in the fridge, then just pop it in the oven when dinner time rolls around.
Nutritional Facts
This hearty casserole delivers a satisfying balance of protein, carbs, and vegetables in every serving.
- Calories per serving: Approximately 485 calories (based on 6 servings)
- Protein powerhouse: Each serving provides about 28 grams of protein from the chicken and cheese
- Carbohydrate content: Around 42 grams per serving, primarily from the wild rice blend
- Fat content: Approximately 20 grams per serving from the sour cream, cheese, and chicken
- Fiber boost: About 3 grams of fiber per serving from the wild rice and artichokes
- Calcium source: One serving provides roughly 15% of your daily calcium needs thanks to the cheddar cheese and sour cream
- Vitamin C: The red bell pepper and artichokes contribute about 25% of your daily vitamin C requirement
- Iron content: Each serving delivers approximately 2.5 grams of iron from the chicken and enriched rice
- Sodium consideration: Contains about 890mg of sodium per serving, mainly from the jarred gravy and cheese
- Folate benefits: Artichokes and enriched rice provide beneficial folate for cellular health
Fun “Did You Know?”
Beyond the impressive nutritional profile, this casserole brings together ingredients with fascinating backstories you’ll want to share at your next dinner party.
Wild rice isn’t actually rice—it’s a grass seed native to North America that Indigenous peoples have harvested for over 1,000 years.
Artichokes are flower buds that’ll bloom purple if left unharvested.
Cheddar cheese originated in England’s Cheddar Gorge caves, where consistent temperatures created perfect aging conditions.
Bell peppers contain more vitamin C than oranges, and green onions can regrow indefinitely on your windowsill if you place the roots in water.
