Cheesy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole Recipe
This comforting Cheesy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole combines tender chicken, a blend of wild rice, and mixed vegetables cooked together in a creamy, cheesy sauce. Prepared in a Crock-Pot, this easy, hearty one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights, offering rich flavors with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1–1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Grains & Broth
- 1–1/4 cups wild rice blend
- 4 cups chicken broth (divided)
Vegetables
- 2–1/2 cups mixed vegetables (1 small onion, 1 carrot, 2 stalks celery, 1 small sweet potato)
- 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
Spices & Seasonings
- 1–1/4 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1–1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper (about 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper recommended)
- 2 bay leaves
Dairy & Fats
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup freshly shredded Cheddar cheese
Optional Garnishes
- Sliced almonds
- Freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prep Crock-Pot: Generously grease a large 6-quart crockpot to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prep Chicken: Trim excess fat from chicken thighs or breasts. If using breasts, cut each into 2–3 even pieces for even cooking.
- Rinse Rice: Rinse the wild rice blend in a fine mesh strainer to remove excess starch, then add it to the crockpot.
- Prepare Vegetables: Dice the onion, thickly coin the carrot, slice the celery, and chop the sweet potato into bite-size pieces. Add all to the crockpot.
- Add Seasonings: Add minced garlic, poultry seasoning, dried parsley, paprika, salt, pepper, and bay leaves to the crockpot mixture.
- Add Chicken Broth: Pour 3 cups of chicken broth evenly over all ingredients and stir gently to combine.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high for 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours or until chicken is cooked through, rice is tender, and most liquid is absorbed. Avoid cooking on low for best results.
- Melt Butter: Near the end of cooking, melt the butter in a small pot over medium heat.
- Make Roux: Whisk in the flour slowly while continuously whisking and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Add Remaining Broth: Slowly whisk in the remaining 1 cup chicken broth, allowing the mixture to thicken. Then whisk in the whole milk gradually until thickened.
- Shred Chicken and Combine: Shred the cooked chicken directly in the crockpot. Stir in the creamy mixture, shredded Cheddar cheese, and optional sliced almonds and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Enjoy the casserole immediately while warm.
Notes
- Use your preferred wild rice blend; rinsing helps remove starch for better texture.
- Poultry seasoning can be substituted with a mix of sage, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, and black pepper.
- Mixed vegetables can be customized based on availability or preference.
- Cooking times may vary depending on your crockpot; check doneness accordingly.
- Adding sliced almonds and fresh parsley garnish adds texture and freshness but is optional.
Keywords: cheesy chicken casserole, wild rice casserole, slow cooker chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner, Crock-Pot casserole, comfort food
