Description
Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole is a comforting, oven-baked dish featuring tender shredded chicken and nutty wild rice in a creamy, savory sauce. Enhanced with aromatic herbs, vegetables, and melted cheese, this hearty casserole is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or as a convenient make-ahead meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional, omit for gluten-free)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Wild Rice: Prepare the wild rice blend according to the package instructions until just tender, then drain any excess liquid.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a skillet, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery, cooking them until softened and fragrant.
- Add Seasonings and Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, dried sage, salt, and black pepper; cook for about 1 minute to release aromas.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, tender wild rice, sautéed vegetable mixture, chicken broth, heavy cream, and shredded cheese. Mix everything well to distribute evenly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish, then transfer the mixture into it. If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly on top for a crunchy topping.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and ingredients to cook through.
- Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake an additional 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is lightly golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes after baking. This helps it set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken works well to save time and add extra flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Feel free to add mushrooms or peas for additional vegetables and nutrition.
- Omit breadcrumbs or use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this dish gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
