Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
This hearty Chicken Wild Rice Casserole combines tender chicken, nutritious wild rice, and a creamy homemade sauce baked to perfection with a buttery bread topping. It’s a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for family dinners or potlucks, featuring a blend of vegetables and a rich, creamy texture that satisfies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large baking dish, combine the chopped onion, carrots, celery, wild rice, and chicken broth. Cover the dish tightly with foil to trap steam and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes to allow the rice and vegetables to cook thoroughly.
- Prepare the sauce: While the rice cooks, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour, salt, and poultry seasoning, cooking for about 1 minute to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Prepare the optional topping: Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter. Toss the cubed bread in the melted butter until evenly coated. This step adds a delicious, crispy texture to the casserole topping, but can be omitted if preferred.
- Assemble the casserole: Once the rice mixture is cooked, remove the foil from the baking dish. Add the raw chicken pieces and the creamy sauce into the dish, stirring well to combine all ingredients. Spread the buttered bread cubes evenly over the top of the mixture as a topping.
- Bake: Increase the oven temperature to 450°F. Bake the casserole uncovered for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (no pink remains) and the bread cubes turn golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: After baking, season the casserole with additional salt, pepper, or garnish with fresh parsley to add vibrant flavor and color. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting meal.
Notes
- The bread topping is optional but adds a wonderful buttery crunch to the casserole.
- Use day-old or dry bread cubes for the topping to achieve the best texture.
- Ensure the chicken is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time up to assembling and refrigerated before baking.
Keywords: Chicken wild rice casserole, creamy chicken casserole, baked casserole, comfort food, wild rice recipe
Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/chicken-wild-rice-casserole-recipe/
