Description
A comforting casserole made with tender chicken, wild rice, and mixed vegetables in a creamy sauce, perfect for family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.25 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (trimmed of fat)
- 1.25 cups wild rice blend (rinsed)
- 4 cups chicken broth (divided, unsalted recommended)
- 2.5 cups mixed vegetables (or 1 small onion, 1 carrot, 2 stalks celery, 1 small sweet potato, diced)
- 0.5 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1.25 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1.5 teaspoons dried parsley
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 0.33 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 0.5 cup freshly shredded Cheddar cheese
- Sliced almonds (optional, for topping)
- Fresh parsley (optional, chopped for garnish)
Instructions
- Generously grease a 6-quart crockpot to prevent sticking.
- Trim any fat from the chicken. If using chicken breasts, cut them into 2-3 even pieces for quicker cooking.
- Rinse the wild rice blend in a fine mesh strainer under cold water for about 30 seconds.
- Place the rinsed rice into the crockpot.
- Dice the onion, cut the carrot into thick coins, slice the celery, and chop the sweet potato into bite-sized pieces.
- Add the prepared vegetables to the crockpot along with minced garlic, poultry seasoning, dried parsley, paprika, salt, pepper, and bay leaves.
- Pour 3 cups of chicken broth over everything in the crockpot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on high for 150 to 270 minutes (2.5 to 4.5 hours).
- About 15 minutes before the casserole is done, melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a small pot over medium heat and whisk in the flour.
- Gradually whisk in the remaining 1 cup of chicken broth and then the milk until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove the bay leaves and shred the chicken directly in the pot using two forks.
- Pour in the prepared cream sauce and add the shredded Cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and everything is combined.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Top with sliced almonds and chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
Ensure to check the chicken at the lower cooking time to avoid dryness. Stir occasionally if your crockpot has hot spots.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 180 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Crockpot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg