Chicken Wild Rice Casserole
A cozy and hearty dish combining savory chicken, earthy wild rice, and fresh vegetables, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Vegetable Base
- 1 cup 1 onion, chopped
- 5 5 carrots, chopped
- 5 stalks 5 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup 1 cup wild rice
- 3 cups 3 cups chicken broth
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- 10 tbsp 10 tbsp butter, divided
- 1 tsp 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ½ tsp poultry seasoning
- 4 tbsp 4 tbsp flour
- 2 cups 2 cups milk
- 3-4 cups 3-4 cups cubed bread (sturdy, dry, or day-old bread works best) Feel free to use gluten-free options.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large baking dish, stir together the chopped onion, carrots, celery, wild rice, and chicken broth. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- While the rice is cooking, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add in the flour, salt, and poultry seasoning, cooking for about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk to form a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter and toss it with the cubed bread. (Optional: Skip this step if you prefer a casserole without the topping.)
- Once the rice is cooked, remove the foil to add the raw chicken pieces and creamy sauce to the dish. Stir everything together thoroughly, and then scatter the buttered bread cubes evenly on top.
- Increase the oven temperature to 450°F and bake uncovered for an additional 20-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (no longer pink) and the bread cubes have turned a lovely golden brown.
- Once baked, finish with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, or fresh parsley for an extra touch of color and flavor. Enjoy your culinary creation!
Notes
Leftover Chicken Wild Rice Casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze portions for up to 3 months. To reheat, pop it in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, covering with foil to prevent drying out.