10.09.2012

Cheesy Chicken and Wild Rice Bake

This was found on Pinterest (no shock there, right?), and one "pinner" claimed it was "THE BEST chicken and wild rice bake" they'd ever had. I figured I'd better pin the heck out of that, and then make it myself to be the judge.

Admittedly, this is one of the best bakes I've made, and Scott concurs. In fact, he actually said after the first bite, "This is really good!" I couldn't help but let the smile spread across my face.

Our weather is starting to feel more like fall. FINALLY. And this dish just feels fall-ish. It's comfort food, plain and simple.

Cheesy Chicken and Wild Rice Bake
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
3 carrots, peeled and diced
3 stalks celery, finely diced
2 Tbsp fresh minced garlic
2 cups shredded, cooked chicken breast
2 cups steamed white rice
16 oz prepared wild rice (I used Uncle Ben's Whole Grain and Wild Rice - it's in the little microwaveable pouches), DO NOT COOK RICE ACCORDING TO PACKAGE INSTRUCTIONS
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Cheese sauce:
4 Tbsp butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 350.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet.
Saute onion, celery, and onion until softened, approximately 10 minutes.
Stir in garlic for 1 minute.
Add chicken, steamed rice and wild rice, salt, pepper, and garlic salt.
Reduce heat to low, cover.
Meanwhile, prepare cheese sauce:
In a medium sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat.
Whisk in flour, salt, and pepper.
Slowly pour in chicken broth, whisking continuously.
Whisk until thick, and nearly boiling; stir in 2 cups cheese until melted.
Pour cheese sauce over rice mixture and mix well.
Transfer rice and cheese mix to a 9x13 baking dish.
Top with 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese has melted through.
This bake is wonderful to bring to family and/or friends who may need a hot dish. It stores well, is easy to prep, and feeds a bunch!
P.S.  Another perk of this lovely dish, it FREEZES! Though I didn't need to freeze the dish this time around, it's in the freezer line-up! 

Enjoy!

Source: Picky Palate

2 comments:

  1. This looks and sounds really good!
    PS..awesome pic with the blurring in the background!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awesome! Yes, that last pic is great. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete