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Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 18 reviews

This comforting Chicken Wild Rice Casserole combines tender chicken, hearty wild rice, and a creamy savory sauce baked to perfection with a buttery bread cube topping. Easy to prepare and ideal for family dinners, it brings together wholesome ingredients for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Rice

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 5 carrots, chopped
  • 5 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 cup wild rice

Liquids and Broth

  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups milk

Protein

  • 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into small pieces

Dairy and Fats

  • 10 tbsp butter, divided

Seasonings and Thickeners

  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp poultry seasoning
  • 4 tbsp flour

Other

  • 3–4 cups cubed bread (sturdy, dry, or day-old bread works best)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F. In a large baking dish, combine the chopped onion, carrots, celery, wild rice, and chicken broth. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes to cook the rice and soften the vegetables.
  2. Prepare the sauce: While the rice is cooking, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour, salt, and poultry seasoning and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk to create a smooth, creamy sauce, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
  3. Optional topping: Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter in a separate pan. Toss the cubed bread in the melted butter to coat evenly. This will be used as the crispy topping on the casserole.
  4. Assemble the casserole: After the rice mixture is cooked, carefully remove the foil. Add the raw chicken pieces and the prepared creamy sauce to the baking dish. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients. Evenly distribute the buttered bread cubes on top of the mixture for a golden crust.
  5. Bake: Increase the oven temperature to 450°F and bake the casserole uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (no pink inside) and the bread cubes have turned a golden brown color.
  6. Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with salt, freshly ground pepper, or chopped parsley for added flavor and color. Serve warm and enjoy your hearty, delicious meal.

Notes

  • If you prefer a lighter topping, reduce the amount of butter used with the bread cubes or skip the topping entirely.
  • Day-old or stale bread works best for the topping as it crisps up nicely during baking.
  • You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for juicier meat if preferred.
  • For a dairy-free version, use non-dairy milk and butter substitutes though flavor and texture may vary.
  • Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it is safely cooked.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken casserole, wild rice casserole, creamy chicken recipe, baked chicken wild rice, comfort food, easy casserole

Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/chicken-wild-rice-casserole-recipe/