I like casseroles that have all the benefits of casseroles, without ending up in the “midwest slop,” as I like to call it, category. I’m from the midwest! I will defend our name! The concept for this baked casserole is kind of like a cousin of mac and cheese. Except you substitute the mac for rice. The milk for vegetable broth. Add some vegetables and keep all the cheese. It’s a really good and feels like comfort food, but a bit healthier.
No mayo, no cream soup.
I’ve heard people say it’s the best thing they’ve made from pinterest. The husband got thirds.
Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole
Serves five to six
1 cup rice
8 ounces wild rice
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or a rotisserie chicken!)
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
3/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
1 onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
4 carrots, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup wheat flour
2 and 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Prepare rice according to package instructions. I used to use a rice cooker, but lately I’ve been using my instant pot. And there’s always the classic stovetop method.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange chicken in a 9×13, foil-lined baking dish. Drizzle chicken with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 45 minutes. Shred or slice chicken. Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees.
Saute onion, celery, carrots, and garlic in a skillet with 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat for 7-8 minutes, until tender. Set vegetables aside.
Melt butter in skillet over medium heat, stirring in wheat flour. Add 2 cups of shredded cheddar, vegetable broth, garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir sauce until cheese is melted, about 2-3 minutes.
In a 9×13 baking dish, mix together rice, shredded chicken, vegetables, and cheese sauce. Top with 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. Bake for 25 minutes.
- 1 cup rice
- 8 ounces wild rice
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or a rotisserie chicken!)
- ¼ cup olive oil, divided
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- ¾ teaspoon pepper, divided
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup wheat flour
- 2 and ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Prepare rice according to package instructions. I used to use a rice cooker, but lately I've been using my instant pot. And there's always the classic stovetop method.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange chicken in a 9×13, foil-lined baking dish. Drizzle chicken with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Roast for 45 minutes. Shred or slice chicken. Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees.
- Saute onion, celery, carrots, and garlic in a skillet with 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat for 7-8 minutes, until tender. Set vegetables aside.
- Melt butter in skillet over medium heat, stirring in wheat flour. Add 2 cups of shredded cheddar, vegetable broth, garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Stir sauce until cheese is melted, about 2-3 minutes.
- In a 9x13 baking dish, mix together rice, shredded chicken, vegetables, and cheese sauce. Top with ½ cup cheddar cheese. Bake for 25 minutes.
Adapted from Picky Palate.