The not-so-secret message with Wild-About-You Bake is that when you share it with someone, they’ll know you really care! Chicken and almonds are already an amazing pair, but add some crunchy veggies and a mushroom sauce? Well, that is pretty wild and extremely tasty! All of that plus fluffy rice and melty cheese really shares with everyone that you’re crazy about them. You’ll go wild for thisWild-About-You Bake!
Ingredients
- 1 (2.25-ounce) package sliced almonds
- 2 (6.2-ounce) boxes fast-cooking long-grain and wild rice mix, plus the ingredients called for on the packages
- 1/4 cup butter
- 4 celery ribs, chopped
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 5 cups chicken, chopped and cooked
- 2 (10.75-ounce) cans cream of mushroom soup
- 2 (8-ounce) cans chopped water chestnuts, drained
- 1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 2 cups soft, fresh breadcrumbs
- fresh parsley, optional, to taste, chopped, for garnish
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Lightly grease a 15×10-inch baking dish.
Step 3 –Sauté the almonds in a single layer in a shallow pan, stirring halfway through, until toasted and fragrant, about 4-6 minutes. Set them aside.
Step 4 –Prepare the rice mixes according to the package directions.
Step 5 –Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 6 –Add the celery and the onions to the melted butter and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes.
Step 7 –Stir the chicken, the cream of mushroom soup, the water chestnuts, the sour cream, the milk, the salt, the pepper, and 3 cups of the cheese into the celery mixture.
Step 8 –Combine the chicken mixture with the rice.
Step 9 –Pour the chicken-rice mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Step 10 –Top the chicken-rice mixture with the breadcrumbs.
Step 11 –Bake the casserole for 35 minutes.
Step 12 –Sprinkle the casserole with the remaining cheese and the toasted almonds.
Step 13 –Bake until the cheese is melted and the breadcrumbs are golden-brown, about 5 minutes.
Step 14 –Garnish with the fresh parsley and serve.
