Description
This comforting Chicken Wild Rice Casserole combines tender chicken breasts, hearty wild rice, fresh vegetables, and a creamy sauce, all topped with buttery cubed bread for a crunchy finish. Slow-baked to perfection, this dish offers a satisfying blend of textures and flavors, perfect for a cozy family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Grains
- 1 onion, chopped
- 5 carrots, chopped
- 5 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup wild rice
Liquids and Broth
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
Proteins and Dairy
- 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- 10 tbsp butter, divided
Seasonings and Baking
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp poultry seasoning
- 4 tbsp flour
- 3-4 cups cubed bread (sturdy or day-old)
Instructions
- Preheat and Combine Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large baking dish, combine the chopped onion, carrots, celery, wild rice, and chicken broth. Cover the dish tightly with foil to retain moisture.
- Bake Vegetables and Rice: Place the covered baking dish in the oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the broth and the vegetables to soften.
- Prepare Cream Sauce: While the rice cooks, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour, salt, and poultry seasoning, cooking for about 1 minute to make a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk until the sauce is smooth and thickened.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce with Rice: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Add the raw chicken pieces and the creamy sauce to the cooked rice and vegetable mixture. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add Bread Topping: Toss the cubed bread with the remaining 6 tablespoons of melted butter to coat. Spread the buttered bread cubes evenly over the casserole as a topping.
- Final Bake: Increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C). Bake the casserole uncovered for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the bread topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish as desired, and serve warm to enjoy a hearty and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Using day-old or sturdy bread for the topping helps maintain a crunchy texture after baking.
- You can substitute chicken thighs in place of breasts for more moist and flavorful meat.
- Covering the casserole tightly during the initial bake ensures the wild rice cooks properly by trapping steam.
- Adjust poultry seasoning and salt to taste for different flavor preferences.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee it is fully cooked.
