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Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
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★★★★★

5.3 from 30 reviews

A comforting Chicken Wild Rice Casserole featuring tender chicken, wholesome wild rice, and a creamy sauce baked to perfection with a buttery bread cube topping. This hearty dish combines vegetables, savory seasoning, and a rich texture for a family-friendly meal that’s perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables & Rice

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

Liquids & Broth

  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups milk

Protein

  • 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into small pieces

Fat & Butter

  • 10 tbsp butter, divided

Seasonings & Spices

  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp poultry seasoning

Thickener

  • 4 tbsp flour

Topping

  • 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 and cooking for about 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to whisk until a smooth, creamy sauce develops and thickens slightly.
  3. Optional topping: Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter separately. Toss the cubed bread with this melted butter to create a rich, crispy topping. You can skip this step if you prefer the casserole without a bread topping.
  4. Assemble the casserole: After the rice and vegetables have cooked, remove the foil. Add the raw chicken pieces and the creamy sauce into the baking dish, stirring well to combine all ingredients evenly. Next, spread the buttered bread cubes evenly on top to form a delicious crust.
  5. Bake: Increase the oven temperature to 450°F and bake the casserole uncovered for an additional 20-30 minutes. Bake until the chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink, and the bread cubes have turned a golden brown, forming a crunchy topping.
  6. Serve: Once baked, optionally garnish with additional salt, pepper, or fresh parsley to add flavor and color. Serve warm and enjoy this hearty, comforting dish.

Notes

  • Using day-old or sturdy bread helps it crisp up nicely as a topping.
  • Make sure chicken is fully cooked by checking that it is no longer pink inside.
  • You can substitute the poultry seasoning with a mix of thyme, sage, and rosemary if preferred.
  • For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and bread.
  • If you want a lower fat option, reduce the butter amount or substitute with olive oil.
  • This dish can be prepared in advance and baked just before serving.
  • Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken casserole, wild rice casserole, creamy casserole, baked chicken dish, comforting dinner recipe, poultry casserole

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