Description
Chicken Wild Rice Casserole is the epitome of comfort food, perfect for family dinners or gatherings. This creamy, hearty dish combines tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and vibrant vegetables, all enveloped in a rich homemade cheese sauce and topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs. Not only does it satisfy your cravings for warmth and flavor, but it’s also freezer-friendly—ideal for meal prep on busy days. Whether you serve it on a chilly evening or as part of a potluck feast, this casserole is sure to delight everyone at the table!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ cups wild rice blend
- 1½ pounds chicken breasts or thighs
- ¼ teaspoon each salt, pepper, paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces baby bella/cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ⅓ cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
- 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon each dried parsley, dried basil
- ½ teaspoon each dried thyme, salt, pepper
- 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika; sear in a Dutch oven until opaque.
- Sauté onions, celery, carrots, and garlic until tender; combine with chicken.
- Cook mushrooms in the same pot; mix with chicken and vegetables.
- Whisk together chicken broth and cornstarch, then create the cheese sauce by combining broth mixture with flour and milk until thickened; stir in cheeses.
- Mix everything together in the baking dish, top with toasted panko breadcrumbs, and bake for 30-35 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately 250g)
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg