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Chicken Wild Rice Casserole (Dairy-Free)

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This cozy chicken wild rice casserole is a hearty, dairy-free comfort food dinner packed with juicy chicken, nutty wild rice, and sweet sautéed veggies in a creamy, allergy-friendly sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd—no one will guess it’s dairy-free!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken breast or thighs (about 280g; rotisserie chicken works)
  • 1 cup uncooked wild rice blend (about 180g)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup baby bella mushrooms, sliced (optional, about 80g)
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
  • 2 cups chicken broth (480ml; low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup full-fat coconut milk (240ml)
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (12g)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (1g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage (0.5g)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup frozen peas (120g)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (8g, optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 cup wild rice blend under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine rice with 3 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40–45 minutes until tender and some grains have burst. Drain excess liquid and set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with olive oil.
  3. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until starting to soften.
  4. Add sliced mushrooms (if using) and cook for another 3–4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in nutritional yeast, dried thyme, dried sage, salt, and pepper. Pour in chicken broth and coconut milk. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine and scrape up any browned bits. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. In a large bowl, combine cooked wild rice, shredded chicken, sautéed veggies, frozen peas, and creamy sauce. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
  7. Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.
  8. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until top is slightly golden and bubbling.
  9. Let casserole rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with extra parsley if desired.

Notes

Let the casserole rest before serving for best texture. Use rotisserie chicken and pre-cooked wild rice for a shortcut (reduce broth slightly). Swap veggies or herbs as desired. For a gluten-free version, ensure broth and seasonings are certified gluten-free. Leftovers keep well and flavors deepen overnight. Can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken wild rice casserole, dairy-free casserole, comfort food, meal prep, gluten-free, easy dinner, healthy casserole, wild rice, chicken casserole, allergy-friendly

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/chicken-wild-rice-casserole-recipe-easy-dairy-free-comfort-food-dinner/