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Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 22 reviews

This comforting Chicken Wild Rice Casserole combines tender pieces of chicken, earthy wild rice, and a creamy homemade sauce baked to perfection with a buttery bread cube topping. Perfect as a hearty family dinner, this dish offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors with savory vegetables, aromatic poultry seasoning, and a golden crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Rice

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

Protein

  • 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into small pieces

Sauces and Fats

  • 10 tbsp butter, divided
  • 4 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups milk

Seasonings and Others

  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp poultry seasoning
  • 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 to cook thoroughly and the vegetables to soften.
  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 until you have a smooth and creamy sauce.
  3. Optional topping: Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter in a separate pan. Toss the cubed bread in the melted butter ensuring all pieces are evenly coated. This will create a rich, crispy topping once baked. You may skip this step if you prefer no topping.
  4. Assemble the casserole: When the rice is cooked, remove the foil from the baking dish. Add the raw chicken pieces and the creamy sauce to the dish and stir everything together thoroughly. Arrange the butter-coated bread cubes evenly across the top of the casserole.
  5. Bake: Increase the oven temperature to 450°F and bake the casserole uncovered for an additional 20 to 30 minutes. This step ensures the chicken is fully cooked through and the bread cubes become golden and crisp.
  6. Serve: Once baked, optionally garnish with freshly ground pepper, additional salt if needed, or chopped fresh parsley for a vibrant touch. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Chicken Wild Rice Casserole!

Notes

  • Day-old or stale bread works best for the crispy topping as it soaks up butter without becoming soggy.
  • Make sure the chicken pieces are evenly sized to ensure uniform cooking.
  • Check the casserole before the end of the baking time to avoid over-browning the bread topping.
  • Poultry seasoning can be substituted with a blend of sage, thyme, onion powder, and black pepper for a fresh mix.
  • This casserole can be prepared ahead up to the point before baking and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
  • For gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour and bread cubes.

Nutrition

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

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