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Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

This Chicken Wild Rice Casserole combines tender chicken, nutty wild rice, fresh vegetables, and a creamy sauce with a golden buttered bread topping for the ultimate comfort food experience.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 55 minutes
Servings: 8 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Midwest
Calories: 354
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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 tablespoons butter divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups milk
  • 3-4 cups bread cubed, sturdy, dry, or day-old bread works best
  • Salt, pepper, or fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • Large baking dish
  • saucepan
  • whisk
  • Aluminum foil
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Preheat the 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.
  2. While the rice is cooking, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour, salt, and poultry seasoning. Cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk to form a smooth, creamy sauce.
  3. Melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter. Toss with the cubed bread until well coated.
  4. Once the rice is cooked, remove the foil. Add the raw chicken pieces and the creamy sauce to the dish. Stir everything together to combine. Arrange the buttered bread cubes evenly on top.
  5. Increase the oven temperature to 450°F. Bake uncovered for an additional 20-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked (no longer pink) and the bread cubes are golden brown.
  6. Once baked, garnish with salt, pepper, or parsley. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use sturdy, dry, or day-old bread for best topping results. Chop vegetables into uniform pieces for even cooking. Cover baking dish tightly with foil during first baking stage. Check that chicken is fully cooked (165°F internal temperature) before serving.
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