Save A comforting casserole featuring tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and a creamy sauce, baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a cozy family dinner.
This chicken and wild rice bake has become a go-to comfort food in my home especially on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
- Poultry: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.2 lbs/550 g), cut into bite-size pieces
- Rice: 1 cup (180 g) uncooked wild rice blend
- Vegetables: 1 medium onion, finely chopped, 2 celery stalks, diced, 2 medium carrots, sliced, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 cup (150 g) mushrooms, sliced, 1 cup (150 g) frozen peas
- Dairy & Broth: 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) low-sodium chicken broth, 1 cup (240 ml) milk, 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream or sour cream, 1 cup (100 g) shredded Swiss or Gruyère cheese
- Pantry & Spices: 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp dried rosemary, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- Topping: 1/2 cup (35 g) breadcrumbs or gluten-free crumbs, 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish.
- Step 2:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Sauté onion, celery, carrots, and mushrooms for 5 6 minutes until softened. Add garlic cook 1 minute more.
- Step 3:
- Add chicken pieces to the skillet. Cook, stirring, until lightly browned but not cooked through, about 3 4 minutes.
- Step 4:
- Stir in wild rice, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
- Step 5:
- In a large bowl, combine chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream or sour cream. Whisk to blend.
- Step 6:
- Add the sautéed chicken and vegetables mixture and frozen peas to the bowl. Stir well.
- Step 7:
- Pour everything into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Step 8:
- In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle over cheese layer.
- Step 9:
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 50 minutes.
- Step 10:
- Remove foil and bake an additional 20 minutes, or until the top is golden and the rice is tender.
- Step 11:
- Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Save This dish always brings my family together around the table sharing stories and laughter over a warm meal.
Notes
For extra flavor add 1/2 cup sliced almonds to the topping. Substitute rotisserie chicken and reduce baking time by 15 minutes. A dash of smoked paprika adds depth. Pairs well with a crisp Riesling or Chardonnay.
Required Tools
Large skillet, 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish, Mixing bowls, Whisk, Aluminum foil
Nutritional Information
Calories 460, Total Fat 19 g, Carbohydrates 42 g, Protein 30 g per serving
Save This chicken and wild rice bake is both wholesome and satisfying a perfect meal for any night.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this dish?
Yes, pre-cooked chicken can be added to reduce baking time by about 15 minutes and simplify preparation.
- → What type of rice is best to use?
A wild rice blend is recommended for its earthy flavor and texture, complementing the chicken and vegetables well.
- → How can I make this gluten-free?
Use gluten-free broth and substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free crumbs to keep this dish gluten-free.
- → Can I add more vegetables?
Absolutely, additional vegetables like sliced almonds or smoked paprika can enhance both flavor and texture.
- → What wines pair well with this bake?
Crisp white wines such as Riesling or Chardonnay complement the creamy and savory elements nicely.