Chicken Wild Rice Bake (Print Version)

Tender chicken and wild rice baked with creamy sauce and vegetables in a comforting casserole.

# Components:

→ Poultry

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, approximately 1.2 lbs, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Rice

02 - 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 stalks celery, diced
05 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 cup sliced mushrooms
08 - 1 cup frozen peas

→ Dairy & Broth

09 - 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup whole milk
11 - 1/2 cup heavy cream or sour cream
12 - 1 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyère cheese

→ Pantry & Spices

13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
14 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
16 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
17 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste

→ Topping

18 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or gluten-free crumbs
19 - 2 tablespoons melted butter

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion, celery, carrots, and mushrooms for 5 to 6 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for one additional minute.
03 - Add chicken pieces to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned but not fully cooked, about 3 to 4 minutes.
04 - Stir in wild rice, dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper into the skillet. Remove from heat.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream or sour cream until blended.
06 - Add the sautéed chicken and vegetables mixture along with frozen peas to the creamy mixture. Stir until well combined.
07 - Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish and evenly sprinkle shredded cheese over the top.
08 - Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter in a small bowl, then sprinkle this topping evenly over the cheese layer.
09 - Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes.
10 - Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes until the topping is golden and rice is tender.
11 - Allow the casserole to stand for 10 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Tender chicken with nutty wild rice blend
  • Creamy sauce baked to golden perfection
02 -
  • Use certified gluten-free broth and crumbs to keep this dish gluten-free
  • Substitute rotisserie chicken and reduce baking time by 15 minutes for a quicker version
03 -
  • Toast breadcrumbs before mixing with butter for extra crunch
  • Use fresh herbs if available for a brighter flavor
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