Print

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 17 reviews

A comforting and hearty Chicken Wild Rice Casserole featuring tender chicken, wild rice, and a creamy homemade sauce, topped with buttery toasted bread cubes. Perfect for a nourishing family dinner with a blend of wholesome vegetables and rich flavors.

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

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 cook the rice and soften the vegetables.
  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 remove the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the milk to form a smooth, creamy sauce. Continue stirring and cooking until the sauce thickens.
  3. Optional topping: Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter. Toss the cubed bread in the melted butter to coat evenly. This will create a crispy, flavorful topping once baked. This step can be skipped if you prefer the casserole without a topping.
  4. Assemble the casserole: After the wild rice has cooked for 1 hour and 15 minutes, remove the foil from the baking dish. Add the raw chicken pieces and the creamy sauce to the dish. Stir everything well to combine the ingredients evenly. 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, until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink in the center, and the bread cubes have turned golden brown and crispy.
  6. Serve: Once baked, garnish the casserole with freshly ground black pepper, additional salt to taste, or chopped fresh parsley to add a fresh pop of flavor and color. Serve hot and enjoy this warm, hearty dish.

Notes

  • Use day-old or sturdy bread for the topping to achieve a crispier texture.
  • You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
  • Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
  • Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and bread substitutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Wild Rice Casserole, comfort food, baked casserole, creamy sauce, family dinner, easy chicken recipe

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