Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Chicken Wild Rice Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for family dinners. Packed with tender chicken, wholesome wild rice, and a creamy sauce, it brings cozy flavors together in one satisfying bake.

Ingredients

• 1 onion, chopped
• 5 carrots, chopped
• 5 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 cup wild rice
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
• 10 tbsp butter, divided
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp poultry seasoning
• 4 tbsp flour
• 2 cups milk
• 3-4 cups cubed bread (sturdy, dry, or day-old bread works best)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large baking dish, combine the chopped onion, carrots, celery, wild rice, and chicken broth. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
2. Step 2: While the rice is cooking, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour, salt, and poultry seasoning and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
3. Step 3: For the optional topping, melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter and toss with the cubed bread to coat evenly. If you prefer to skip the topping, you can omit this step.
4. Step 4: Remove the foil from the baking dish once the rice has finished cooking. Add the raw chicken pieces and the creamy sauce to the dish and stir well to combine. Spread the buttered bread cubes evenly over the top.
5. Step 5: Increase the oven temperature to 450°F. Bake the casserole uncovered for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink, and the bread cubes are golden brown.
6. Step 6: Once baked, garnish the casserole with salt, pepper, or fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use day-old or sturdy bread for the topping to ensure it crisps up nicely without becoming soggy.
• Substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor or to make it pescatarian by replacing chicken with mushrooms.
• Add chopped herbs like thyme or rosemary to the sauce for extra aroma and complexity.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through to maintain the crispy topping. Avoid microwaving to keep the bread cubes from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use white rice instead of wild rice?

Yes, you can substitute white rice, but cooking time and texture will vary. Wild rice adds a nutty flavor and chewy texture that complements the dish well.

Is it necessary to bake the rice before adding the chicken?

This step ensures the rice and vegetables start cooking thoroughly before adding the chicken, preventing overcooking the chicken and achieving the best texture overall.

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 147 reviews

A comforting and hearty Chicken Wild Rice Casserole featuring tender chicken breasts, aromatic vegetables, creamy sauce, and a buttery bread topping, baked to golden perfection. This satisfying dish combines wild rice cooked in chicken broth with a rich, seasoned milk sauce and a crisp, flavorful bread crumb crust, perfect for family dinners or cozy gatherings.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
• Category: Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

Butter and Seasoning

• 10 tbsp butter, divided
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp poultry seasoning

Sauce

• 4 tbsp flour
• 2 cups milk

Topping

• 3–4 cups cubed bread (sturdy, dry, or day-old bread works best)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: 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 during cooking.
2. Bake the rice and vegetables: Place the covered dish in the oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. This slow baking cooks the wild rice and softens the vegetables thoroughly.
3. Prepare the creamy sauce: While the rice cooks, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour, salt, and poultry seasoning and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until you achieve a smooth and creamy sauce; keep it warm on low heat.
4. Make the buttery bread topping (optional): Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter. Toss the cubed bread pieces with the melted butter until well coated. Set aside to use later as a crunchy topping.
5. Assemble the casserole: After the rice and vegetables have baked, carefully remove the foil. Add the raw chicken pieces and the creamy milk sauce to the baking dish. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Then, distribute the buttered bread cubes evenly on the top of the casserole.
6. Bake uncovered at higher temperature: Increase the oven temperature to 450°F (232°C). Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 20 to 30 minutes. Bake until the chicken is fully cooked with no pink inside and the bread topping turns golden brown and crisp.
7. Serve and garnish: Remove from oven and let the casserole rest shortly before serving. Garnish with additional salt, pepper, or chopped parsley if desired for freshness and flavor. Serve warm and enjoy your hearty homemade chicken wild rice casserole.

Notes

• Use sturdy, day-old bread for the topping to ensure it crisps up well without becoming soggy.
• Ensure chicken breasts are cut into small, uniform pieces for even cooking.
• If you prefer a lighter casserole, you can reduce the butter amount slightly but this may alter the flavor and texture.
• You can substitute other poultry seasoning blends or add herbs like thyme or sage for different flavor profiles.
• This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated; simply add a few extra minutes to baking time if baking from cold.

Keywords: chicken casserole, wild rice casserole, comfort food, baked chicken dish, creamy casserole