Save A comforting casserole featuring tender chicken, nutty wild rice, and a creamy sauce, baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a cozy family dinner.
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.
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Save Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use leftover chicken in this dish?
Yes, using leftover or rotisserie chicken works well and can reduce the baking time by about 15 minutes.
- → What type of rice is best for this dish?
A wild rice blend provides a nutty flavor and sturdy texture that complements the creamy sauce perfectly.
- → Is it possible to make this dairy-free?
To make it dairy-free, substitute milk, cream, and cheese with plant-based alternatives and use non-dairy butter for the topping.
- → How do I ensure the rice is fully cooked?
Baking the covered dish helps steam the rice evenly; letting it sit 10 minutes after baking allows the rice to absorb any remaining moisture.
- → What are good herb additions for extra flavor?
Thyme and rosemary enhance the dish’s aroma; adding a dash of smoked paprika or some sliced almonds on top offers added depth and texture.