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Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 18 reviews

This comforting Chicken Wild Rice Casserole combines tender chicken, savory wild rice blend, sautéed vegetables, and a creamy cheese sauce, topped with a crispy panko breadcrumb crust. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, it’s easy to prepare, freezer-friendly, and packed with rich flavors and satisfying textures.

Ingredients

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Chicken, Rice and Veggies

  • 1½ cups wild rice blend, cooked according to package directions
  • 1½ pounds chicken breasts or thighs, chopped into bite-size pieces
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 ounces baby bella/cremini mushrooms, sliced

Cream Sauce

  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ⅓ cup flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
  • 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Panko Topping

  • ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prepare for the casserole.
  2. Season Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry using paper towels. Toss them with salt, pepper, and paprika to evenly coat for seasoning.
  3. Sear Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sauté until they turn opaque but are not fully cooked through. Remove chicken from pot and place in a bowl.
  4. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add diced onions, chopped carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables are tender and aromatic. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds. Transfer this vegetable mixture to the bowl with chicken.
  5. Sauté Mushrooms: Add remaining butter and olive oil to the pot. Sauté the sliced mushrooms until golden brown and caramelized. Add these to the bowl with chicken and other vegetables.
  6. Prepare Cream Sauce: Whisk together chicken broth and cornstarch until smooth. In the pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for about 2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the broth mixture and milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add chicken bouillon, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, dried parsley, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce until thickened, then remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of cheddar cheese and all Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  7. Combine and Assemble: Stir the chicken and vegetable mixture along with the cooked wild rice into the creamy sauce until fully combined. Pour this mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
  8. Prepare Panko Topping: In a small pan, toast panko breadcrumbs with butter and olive oil over medium heat until golden brown and crisp. Sprinkle this breadcrumb topping evenly over the casserole.
  9. Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly throughout.

Notes

  • For a quicker version, substitute cooked rotisserie chicken (about 3 cups shredded) instead of raw chicken pieces.
  • This casserole can be made up to 2 days in advance; store covered in the refrigerator before baking.
  • Freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before baking as directed.
  • Use a wild rice blend that includes wild rice mixed with other rice varieties; avoid using 100% wild rice to ensure proper texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken casserole, wild rice recipe, comfort food, cheesy casserole, easy dinner, baked chicken dish

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/chicken-wild-rice-casserole-recipe/