Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
This hearty Chicken Wild Rice Casserole combines tender chicken, wholesome wild rice, and a creamy homemade sauce topped with buttery bread cubes. Slow-baked with a medley of vegetables for a comforting and flavorful one-dish meal perfect for cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- 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: 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 soften and cook fully.
- Prepare the sauce: While the rice is baking, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour, salt, and poultry seasoning. Cook the mixture for 1 minute to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk to form a smooth and creamy sauce, cooking until slightly thickened.
- Prepare the topping (optional): Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter separately. Toss the cubed bread with the melted butter to coat evenly. This will create a rich, golden topping when baked.
- Assemble the casserole: Once the rice and vegetables are cooked, carefully remove the foil from the baking dish. Add the raw chicken pieces and the creamy sauce to the dish. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Arrange the buttered bread cubes evenly over the top of the casserole.
- 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 through (no longer pink in the center) and the bread cubes become golden brown and crisp.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with extra salt, pepper, or fresh parsley if desired before serving to enhance the flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can skip the bread topping if you prefer a lighter casserole or want to reduce carbs.
- Use day-old bread or crusty bread for the topping to ensure it crisps well during baking.
- Ensure the chicken is cut into small even pieces for uniform cooking throughout the bake.
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the flour with a gluten-free alternative and use gluten-free bread for the topping.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
Keywords: chicken casserole, wild rice casserole, comfort food, baked chicken and rice, creamy chicken casserole
Find it online: https://www.cheftara.com/chicken-wild-rice-casserole-recipe/
