mmmm mondays...

Cheesy Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole

I got this recipe off Pinterest (shocker) and figured I'd give it a go, especially since my hubby doesn't care for cream of anything. This recipe which calls for no creams is easy to make (check out my shortcuts) and so delicious! We definitely recommend, the 2 little men even enjoyed it and they're known to be pretty tough critics. So without further adieu:

(The Recipe by Picky Palate)

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, finely diced

3 stalks celery, finely diced

3 carrots, peeled and diced

2 Tablespoons fresh minced garlic

2 Cups shredded, cooked chicken breast

2 Cups steamed white rice

16 oz prepared wild rice 

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Cheese Sauce Ingredients:

4 Tablespoons butter

1/4 Cup all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 Cups chicken broth

2 Cups shredded cheddar cheese

Top with 1 1/2 Cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Heat oil into a medium dutch oven or pot over medium heat.  Saute onion, celery and carrots until softened, about 10 minutes.  Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Stir in chicken, both rices, salt, pepper and garlic salt.  Reduce heat to low.

To prepare cheese sauce melt butter into a medium saucepan over medium high heat.  Whisk in flour, salt and pepper then slowly pour in chicken broth whisking continuously.  Whisk until thick and nearly boiling then stir in cheese until melted.  Pour cheese sauce into rice mixture then transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with additional cheddar cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted through.  Serve.

B's SHORTCUTS:

So I never make anything that has this much chopping or ingredients. To make this easier and more time friendly, I used frozen veggies, rotisserie chicken, boil in a bag white rice and uncle ben's 90 minute wild rice. I was fresh out of kosher salt and minced garlic, so in lieu of those, table salt and garlic powder are sufficient. You can also reduce the amount of cheese and it still tastes delish. I probably used 1 1/2 cups of cheese in the cheese sauce mix and just 1 cup on top. 

Have at it!