Description
This Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for family dinners or potlucks. With its blend of tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and a variety of vegetables in a creamy sauce, it’s a complete meal in one dish.
Ingredients
- 2 cups wild rice blend
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup frozen peas
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large saucepan, combine the wild rice blend and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes or until the rice is tender. Drain any excess liquid.
3. While the rice cooks, season the chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, cook the chicken over medium heat until no longer pink in the center, about 6-8 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and cut into bite-sized pieces.
4. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add onions, celery, carrots, and mushrooms. Sauté until vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
5. In a separate saucepan, melt the remaining butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Gradually add milk and cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Add thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
6. In a large bowl, combine the cooked wild rice, chicken, sautéed vegetables, creamy sauce, and frozen peas. Mix well.
7. Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
Notes
Optional add-ins include diced bell peppers, crispy bacon bits, or slivered almonds for extra crunch.
For the wild rice blend, we recommend brands like Lundberg or RiceSelect for the best texture and flavor.
You can prepare the rice and chicken in advance to make assembly quicker on busy nights.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 105mg