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Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

Comforting Chicken Wild Rice Casserole for Cozy Nights

This Chicken Wild Rice Casserole is comforting and customizable, delivering wholesome flavors that warm hearts and stomachs.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Casserole
  • 1 cup Wild Rice Blend or brown rice
  • 2 lbs Chicken Breasts or Thighs or cooked rotisserie chicken
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil or vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter or margarine
For the Aromatic Vegetables
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion or leeks
  • 2 stalks Celery
  • 2 medium Carrots
  • 2 cloves Garlic or garlic powder
  • 8 oz Mushrooms (Baby Bella/Cremini) or button mushrooms
For the Sauce
  • 4 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth or vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons Cornstarch or flour
  • 1 cup Milk or dairy-free milk
  • 1 cube Chicken Bouillon or vegetable bouillon
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard optional
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce optional
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Herbs (Parsley, Basil, Thyme) or fresh herbs
  • 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese or nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese or nutritional yeast
For the Crunchy Topping
  • 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs

Equipment

  • 9x13 baking dish
  • Dutch oven
  • Mixing Bowl
  • saucepan

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and coat a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika in a mixing bowl. Let marinate while heating oil.
  3. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook seasoned chicken for 5-7 minutes until cooked.
  4. Sauté onion, celery, and carrots for 5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.
  5. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown. Return chicken and veggies to the pot.
  6. In a saucepan, whisk cornstarch and chicken broth over medium heat. Add melted butter and flour to create a roux.
  7. Gradually add milk, chicken bouillon, and seasonings. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
  8. Combine the thickened sauce with the chicken and vegetable mixture, then fold in cooked wild rice. Transfer to the baking dish.
  9. Sprinkle cheddar and parmesan cheese over the casserole, then mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and oil. Top the casserole.
  10. Cover with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portionCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 35gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Feel free to customize with seasonal vegetables or favorite spices for added nutrition.

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