Chicken Wild Rice Blend and Broccoli Casserole

 

I've read how temperatures are predicted to plummet across the nation with icy conditions. I thought a comfort food casserole should be on your agenda.  The following recipe is an Ever Ready Special and serves six. Several steps for putting it together. can be completed the day before to save on preparation time. 

Chicken, Wild Rice Blend, and Broccoli with Cracker Topping 

Advance Preparation 

 Store ingredients in separate bags or plastic containers and refrigerate:  cooked rice, chopped chicken or turkey, chopped onions, minced cloves, celery, mushrooms, and cracker topping. Use a rotisserie chicken to make the recipe easier. 

Ingredients:  

• 2-3 cups cooked chicken or turkey, cubed 
• 1 cup cooked rice ( I used Lundberg wild rice blend following their directions on the bag)
• 1 tablespoon each olive oil and butter
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes and 1/2 teaspoon dreid thyme
• Dash red pepper flakes 
• 1 cup diced sweet onions
• 1 cup diced celery
• 3/4 cup diced mushrooms
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup half and half
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1/4 cup dry white wine 
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese 
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar or Swiss cheese
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• Salt and pepper to taste 

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 
• Sauté in a large skillet with olive oil and butter, mushrooms, onions, celery, and garlic with dried seasoning and red pepper flakes.  
• In a measuring glass, add broth, half and half, and flour. Whisk to blend and pour into the skillet. On low heat, blend the mixture until thickened, adding in the cheeses, rice, and chicken. Add in wine and blanched broccoli.
• Mix well and pour into a baking dish, and bake for 25 minutes uncovered. Sprinkle the crumb topping over the casserole and bake for 10 minutes more. 
• Let casserole rest 5 minutes before serving.    

Cracker or Cornflake Topping Ingredients

• 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers, crushed or 1-1/2 cups crushed cornflakes
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
• 3 tablespoons crushed almonds

Directions:

• Place crackers or cornflakes in a Ziploc bag with parsley flakes and almonds. Use a rolling pin to crush. Add in melted butter and reroll crumbs. 
• Sprinkle over the casserole and bake 10 minutes more. 

How to Blanch Broccoli

• Add broccoli to boiling water, boil for 2 minutes.
• Drain and immediately rinse with cold water. Place on a paper towel to dry a bit before adding to the casserole mixture. 
  
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Always make room for the unexpected in yourself ~ Steve Martin