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Creamy One-Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

creamy one-pot chicken and wild rice casserole - featured image
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A comforting and creamy one-pot casserole featuring tender chicken, hearty wild rice, and a rich sauce, perfect for cozy dinners and easy weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great for convenience)
  • 1 cup wild rice or wild rice blend
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup sliced cremini mushrooms (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (use gluten-free flour for alternative)
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk or half-and-half (swap with almond milk if dairy-free)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the vegetables: finely chop the onion, mince the garlic, dice the carrots and celery, and slice the mushrooms if using (10 minutes).
  2. In a large Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and veggies soften, about 6-8 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  3. Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir well to coat. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
  4. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and milk. Bring to a gentle simmer until the sauce starts to thicken, about 5 minutes.
  5. Stir in the wild rice, thyme, salt, and pepper. Ensure rice is submerged. Cover with a tight-fitting lid.
  6. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 45-50 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes to prevent sticking, until rice is tender but slightly chewy.
  7. Stir in the shredded chicken and softened cream cheese until melted and sauce is creamy, about 5 minutes.
  8. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If using, sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and stir slightly or save for garnish (2 minutes).
  9. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before serving to thicken and meld flavors.

Notes

If casserole becomes too thick during simmering, add extra broth or milk to loosen. Wild rice can be finicky; if not tender after 50 minutes, cover and cook longer. For dairy-free, substitute butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives and use almond or oat milk. For vegetarian version, replace chicken with mushrooms or tofu and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken casserole, wild rice, one-pot meal, creamy casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://tinastirs.com/creamy-one-pot-chicken-and-wild-rice-casserole-easy-recipe-for-comfort-food-fans/