Description
Experience the warmth and comfort of a homemade Chicken Wild Rice Casserole, a nourishing dish perfect for any occasion. This creamy casserole combines tender chicken with wholesome wild rice and vibrant vegetables, creating a delightful medley of flavors and textures that will please everyone at your table. Ideal for family dinners or potlucks, this recipe is straightforward to prepare and makes excellent leftovers. Customize it with your favorite veggies or spices for a personal touch, making it versatile enough to suit any palate. Enjoy this comforting casserole as a satisfying one-dish meal that delivers both nutrition and flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 onion, chopped
- 5 carrots, chopped
- 5 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup wild rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- 10 tbsp butter, divided
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp poultry seasoning
- 4 tbsp flour
- 2 cups milk
- Optional: 3-4 cups cubed day-old bread
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large baking dish, combine the onion, carrots, celery, wild rice, and chicken broth. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- While the rice is baking, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt, and poultry seasoning; cook for about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth.
- If using an optional topping, melt the remaining butter and toss with cubed bread until coated.
- Once the rice is cooked, remove from the oven and add raw chicken pieces along with the creamy sauce. Stir well to combine and top with bread cubes if desired.
- Increase oven temperature to 450°F and bake uncovered for an additional 20-30 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and topping is golden brown.
- Serve warm garnished with fresh parsley or lemon zest.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: For extra flavor, consider adding sautéed garlic or herbs like thyme. Use day-old bread for the topping to achieve a crunchy texture. Substitute brown rice for wild rice but adjust cooking times accordingly.