Hey friends!
Looking for a cozy meal that hits the spot? I’ve got something special for you!
Today, I’m sharing my chicken and wild rice casserole recipe.
It’s hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor.
Perfect for a family dinner or meal prep for the week.
Grab your apron, and let’s dive in!
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-45 minutes |
| Total Time | 45-65 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Ingredients
For the casserole:
- 10 oz sliced mushrooms (stems removed)
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 oz each, cut into 1-inch chunks)
- 1 chopped onion (medium, yellow onion works best)
- salt, to taste (I use fine sea salt)
- 2 chopped celery stalks
- 1.5 cups mixed wild rice (I like Lundberg Wild Blend rice)
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- pepper, to taste (freshly ground preferred)
- 9 tbsp unsalted butter
For the liquid base:
- 0.25 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp dried thyme
- 3 tbsp plain flour (I use King Arthur all-purpose flour)
- 1 cup full-fat milk
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 cup dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc)
Step 1: Prep the Chicken and Vegetables
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Brown the Chicken
In a large ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat.
Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet and cook until well browned on one side, which should take about 6-8 minutes.
Transfer the partially cooked chicken to a plate, browned side up, and cover to keep warm.
Step 3: Sauté Onions and Celery
In the same skillet, melt another 2 tablespoons of butter and add the diced onion and celery.
Season the vegetables with ¼ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.
Sauté them until they become crisp-tender.
Then add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until it becomes fragrant.
Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set them aside.
Step 4: Cook the Mushrooms
Melt 2 more tablespoons of butter in the skillet.
Add the sliced mushrooms and cook them undisturbed until well browned on one side.
Stir and flip the mushrooms, continuing to cook until the moisture is released and evaporated.
This step ensures deep flavor and proper texture in the mushrooms.
Step 5: Combine and Cook the Wild Rice Blend
Return the sautéed onions, celery, and garlic to the skillet with the mushrooms.
Add the wild rice blend to the mixture and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly to ensure the rice is well coated with flavors from the vegetables and butter.
