Description
A hearty, one-dish comfort food casserole featuring wild rice, shredded chicken, and a creamy vegetable sauce topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs. Perfect for using up leftovers and capturing the flavors of autumn.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (160g) Wild Rice Blend
- 3 cups (450g) Shredded Chicken (rotisserie or cooked)
- 2 cups (480ml) Chicken Broth (low-sodium, warm)
- 3 tablespoons (45g) Unsalted Butter
- 1 medium Yellow Onion, diced
- 2 medium Carrots, diced
- 2 stalks Celery, diced
- 8 oz (225g) Mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Sage
- 1/2 cup (120ml) Heavy Cream
- 2 tablespoons Flour
- 1 cup (100g) Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1/2 cup (40g) Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon Extra Butter, melted
- 2 stalks Green Onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the wild rice blend according to package directions in broth or water until tender. Drain any excess liquid and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery; cook for 5-6 minutes until softened.
- Add sliced mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes until browned. Add minced garlic, thyme, and sage; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
- Slowly whisk in the warm chicken broth and heavy cream. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- In a 9×13 baking dish, combine the cooked wild rice, shredded chicken, and the creamy vegetable sauce. Stir to combine and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the mixture.
- Toss panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle evenly over the cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is bubbly.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with green onions if desired.
Notes
Use warm broth to prevent clumping when making the roux. For a crispy topping, toast panko in a dry skillet for 2 minutes before mixing with butter. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil. Wild rice absorbs a lot of liquid, so ensure the sauce is creamy before baking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 25
Keywords: chicken and wild rice casserole, fall recipes, comfort food, one pot dinner, rotisserie chicken recipes, easy weeknight dinners, cozy autumn meals