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Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
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★★★★★

5.3 from 29 reviews

A comforting and hearty Chicken Wild Rice Casserole featuring tender chicken, nutty wild rice, fresh vegetables, and a creamy homemade sauce, topped with buttery bread cubes for a golden, crispy finish. Perfect for cozy family dinners and easily adaptable for make-ahead or freezer meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables:

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 5 carrots, chopped
  • 5 celery stalks, chopped

Grains:

  • 1 cup wild rice
  • 3–4 cups cubed bread (sturdy, dry, or day-old bread works best)

Protein & Dairy:

  • 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
  • 10 tbsp butter, divided
  • 2 cups milk

Liquids:

  • 3 cups chicken broth

Seasonings & Thickeners:

  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp poultry seasoning
  • 4 tbsp flour

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, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy, without lumps.
  3. Optional topping: Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter separately. Toss the cubed bread in the melted butter to coat evenly. This will create a buttery, crispy topping when baked. If you prefer, you can skip this step and the topping altogether.
  4. Assemble the casserole: Once the rice mixture is cooked, carefully remove the foil. Add the raw chicken pieces and creamy sauce to the baking dish with the rice and vegetables. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly. If using, arrange the buttered bread cubes evenly over the top of the casserole.
  5. Bake: Increase the oven temperature to 450°F. Bake the casserole uncovered for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked through (no pink remains) and the bread cubes on top are golden brown and crisp.
  6. Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with salt, pepper, or fresh parsley if desired for added flavor and color. Serve warm and enjoy this comforting dish!

Notes

  • You can use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken; simply shred or dice and mix it into the rice and sauce, skipping the baking step for raw chicken.
  • This casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance; cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake. Bring to room temperature before baking.
  • If you don’t have wild rice, feel free to substitute with regular long-grain rice, but adjust cooking time as it may cook faster.
  • The buttered bread topping is optional. You can omit it to reduce carbs or calories without sacrificing flavor.
  • The casserole freezes well; assemble and bake portion then freeze or freeze before baking for convenience.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken wild rice casserole, comfort food, casserole recipe, easy dinner, baked casserole, creamy chicken casserole, family meal

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