Description
Hearty Wild Rice Chicken Casserole delivers comfort straight from Minnesota’s kitchen, blending tender chicken and nutty wild rice in a rich, creamy embrace. Savory, satisfying layers promise a soul-warming meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup frozen peas
Grains and Base:
- 2 cups wild rice blend
- 4 cups chicken broth
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 3 celery stalks (chopped)
- 2 carrots (diced)
- 8 ounces (226 grams) mushrooms (sliced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
Dairy and Seasoning:
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the kitchen workspace and preheat the oven to 375°F, coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light grease layer to prevent sticking.
- Combine wild rice blend with chicken broth in a large saucepan, allowing it to reach a boil before reducing heat and simmering approximately 45 minutes until rice reaches a tender consistency. Carefully drain any remaining liquid.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then cook in a skillet over medium heat until thoroughly white throughout, roughly 6-8 minutes per side. After cooking, slice into bite-sized chunks.
- Using the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onions, celery, carrots, and mushrooms until they soften and become translucent, approximately 5-7 minutes. Introduce minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional minute to release aromatic flavors.
- Create a velvety sauce by melting remaining butter in a separate saucepan. Incorporate flour and cook briefly, then gradually introduce milk and cream while continuously whisking to maintain smoothness. Infuse with thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper, simmering until the sauce reaches a luxurious thickness.
- Merge cooked wild rice, chicken pieces, sautéed vegetables, creamy sauce, and frozen peas in a large mixing bowl, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the mixed ingredients into the prepared baking dish, generously sprinkling Parmesan cheese across the surface for a rich, golden topping.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the casserole becomes bubbling hot and develops a beautiful golden-brown crust.
Notes
- Opt for brown or wild rice blends to boost nutritional value and add a nutty, complex flavor profile to the dish.
- For a gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder when making the creamy sauce.
- Consider using rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor depth without additional cooking steps.
- Prepare this casserole ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, which helps flavors meld together beautifully.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg