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Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 29 reviews

This Chicken Wild Rice Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish combining tender chicken, wholesome wild rice, and a creamy, savory sauce. Perfectly baked with a buttery bread cube topping, this casserole offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors that make for a satisfying family meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables & Rice

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 5 carrots, chopped
  • 5 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 cup wild rice
  • 3 cups chicken broth

Chicken & Protein

  • 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into small pieces

Dairy & Fats

  • 10 tbsp butter, divided
  • 2 cups milk

Seasonings & Others

  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp poultry seasoning
  • 4 tbsp flour
  • 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 allow the rice and vegetables to soften and absorb the broth.
  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, stirring constantly for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk to create a smooth and creamy sauce, cooking until thickened.
  3. Optional topping: Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter and toss with the cubed bread to create a buttery topping for the casserole. This step can be skipped if you prefer the casserole without the bread topping.
  4. Assemble the casserole: Once the rice mixture is cooked, remove the foil from the baking dish. Add the raw chicken pieces and the creamy sauce to the dish. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly. Then, arrange the buttered bread cubes evenly on top of the casserole.
  5. Bake: Increase the oven temperature to 450°F. Bake the casserole uncovered for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink in the center, and the bread cubes have turned golden brown and crispy.
  6. Serve: After baking, garnish with additional salt, pepper, or fresh parsley for a burst of flavor and color. Serve hot and enjoy this comforting and flavorful chicken wild rice casserole.

Notes

  • Use day-old or sturdy bread for the topping to ensure it crisps nicely and doesn’t become soggy.
  • Adjust salt and seasoning to taste, especially if using low-sodium chicken broth.
  • Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated covered in the oven or microwave.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch and use gluten-free bread cubes.

Nutrition

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

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