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Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
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★★★★★

4.7 from 12 reviews

This hearty Chicken Wild Rice Casserole is a comforting dish combining tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and a rich creamy sauce topped with buttery bread cubes. Perfect for a family dinner, it offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors that bake together to create a warming, flavorful casserole.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables & Broth

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

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup wild rice
  • 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into small pieces

Sauce

  • 10 tbsp butter, divided
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp poultry seasoning
  • 4 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups milk

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 flavors.
  2. Prepare the sauce: While the rice is cooking, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour, salt, and poultry seasoning and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring continuously, until the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and thickened.
  3. Optional topping: Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan. Toss the cubed bread with the melted butter to coat evenly. This buttery bread topping will add a crispy, golden layer to your casserole. Skip this step if you prefer the casserole without topping.
  4. Assemble the casserole: Once the rice and vegetables are cooked, remove the foil on the baking dish. Add the raw chicken pieces and the prepared creamy sauce to the dish. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute the chicken and sauce among the rice and vegetables. Then, arrange the buttered bread cubes evenly on top of the mixture.
  5. Bake: Increase the oven temperature to 450°F. Bake the uncovered casserole for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through with no pink inside and the bread cubes turn nicely golden brown and crispy.
  6. Serve: After baking, you may garnish the casserole with a sprinkle of salt, freshly ground black pepper, or chopped fresh parsley for an extra fresh pop of flavor and color. Serve warm and enjoy this comforting meal with your family or guests.

Notes

  • Use day-old bread for the topping to achieve the best crispy texture.
  • Ensure the chicken is cut into small pieces for even cooking.
  • You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a slightly different flavor.
  • For a lower-fat option, use reduced-fat milk and reduce the butter amount.
  • Make sure to cover the dish tightly with foil during the initial baking to properly steam the rice and vegetables.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken casserole, wild rice casserole, creamy chicken bake, comfort food, oven-baked casserole

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