Sautéed Chicken with Minnesota Wild Rice and Maple Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breast sautéed and served atop nutty wild rice, finished with a sweet maple glaze that highlights regional Minnesota flavors. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 70 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breast, wild rice, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 55 min Serves 2 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup wild rice under cold water, then bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the wild rice and 1/2 tsp salt, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45-50 minutes until tender and water is absorbed.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, pat dry 2 chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Remove chicken and keep warm.
  4. Step 4: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 1 tbsp butter and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 3 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, and 1 tbsp lemon juice; cook for 2 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Step 6: Slice the chicken breasts and serve over a bed of wild rice, drizzling the maple glaze over the top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken with Minnesota Wild Rice and Maple Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (15 min prep + 55 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Sautéed Chicken with Minnesota Wild Rice and Maple Glaze?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) chicken breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Minnesota Wild Rice and Maple Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Sautéed Chicken with Minnesota Wild Rice and Maple Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Sautéed Chicken with Minnesota Wild Rice and Maple Glaze?

American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes