Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
A comforting and hearty Chicken Wild Rice Casserole featuring tender chicken, wholesome wild rice, and a creamy sauce topped with buttery bread cubes, baked to golden perfection. Perfect for family dinners and make-ahead meals, this casserole offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors with simple, wholesome ingredients.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Grains
- 1 onion, chopped
- 5 carrots, chopped
- 5 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup wild rice
Proteins
- 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
Liquids & Broth
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
Dairy & Fats
- 10 tbsp butter, divided
Seasonings & Others
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp poultry seasoning
- 4 tbsp flour
- 3–4 cups cubed bread (sturdy, dry, or day-old bread works best)
Instructions
- 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 allow the rice and vegetables to cook.
- Prepare the sauce: While the rice is cooking, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour, salt, and poultry seasoning. Cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk until the sauce is smooth and creamy, then remove from heat.
- Optional topping: Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter. Toss the cubed bread with the melted butter until evenly coated. This will create a crispy, buttery topping for the casserole.
- Assemble the casserole: Once the rice is cooked, carefully remove the foil from the baking dish. Add the raw chicken pieces and creamy sauce to the dish. Stir gently to combine all ingredients. Arrange the buttered bread cubes evenly on top if using the topping.
- Bake: Increase the oven temperature to 450°F. Place the casserole uncovered into the oven and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked through (no longer pink inside) and the bread cubes on top are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with additional salt, pepper, or fresh parsley to add a fresh burst of flavor and color. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious Chicken Wild Rice Casserole!
Notes
- You can use pre-cooked or leftover chicken to skip the cooking step; simply shred or dice and mix with rice and sauce.
- This casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
- If wild rice is unavailable, substitute with long-grain rice but monitor cooking time as it cooks faster.
- The bread topping is optional and can be omitted to reduce carbs without sacrificing flavor.
- The casserole freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Keywords: chicken casserole, wild rice casserole, creamy chicken casserole, baked chicken dish, comfort food, make-ahead casserole, easy dinner recipe
Find it online: https://cookwithlea.com/chicken-wild-rice-casserole-recipe/
