Ts Favorite Chicken And Wild Rice Recipes

LESLIE'S FAVORITE CHICKEN AND WILD RICE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare rice according to package directions; set aside.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add onion, celery and water chestnuts. Saute 10 minutes or until tender.
• Stir in rice, chicken, 3 cups cheese, and next 5 ingredients; spoon mixture into a lightly greased 15- x 10-inch baking dish or a 4-quart casserole. ( I prefer to use 2 smaller size casseroles-one to give and one for my family).
• Top with breadcrumbs if desired. Bake casserole at 350°F for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese, and bake 5 more minutes.

CONTEST-WINNING CHICKEN WILD RICE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until blended. Gradually stir in broth; bring to a boil. Boil and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Stir in the cream, chicken, rice, mushrooms, pimientos and parsley; heat through. , Transfer to a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with almonds. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly.

CLASSIC CHICKEN AND WILD RICE HOTDISH

Steps:

• Put the rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse it under cold running water, swishing the rice with your hand until the water runs clear. Transfer the rice to a medium bowl and add water to cover. Pour off any black bits or floating kernels, pour the rice back into the sieve to drain, then put it in a small saucepan. Add 1 1/4 cups water, a pinch of salt and the bay leaf; bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Cook 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water has evaporated. (If liquid remains after the rice is done, drain it in a sieve.)
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Heat the butter in a large high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and celery and season with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
• Add the flour to the vegetables and stir until well combined. Pour in the milk and bring to a simmer, whisking to prevent any lumps. Add the cream, chicken stock, thyme, nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Simmer over low heat until the floury taste dissipates, about 5 minutes.
• Add the cooked chicken, wild rice (minus the bay leaf) and half of the cheese and heat until the cheese melts.
• Put the crushed crackers in a heavy plastic bag and add 1/4 teaspoon pepper and the olive oil. Shake to combine and set aside.
• Rub a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of soft butter. Pour the chicken mixture into the dish and top with the remaining cheese. Bake 25 minutes.
• Pull the dish from the oven, sprinkle the cracker mixture over the top and bake until the crackers turn golden brown and the mixture bubbles in the center, 15 to 20 more minutes. Serve immediately.

LESLIE'S FAVORITE CHICKEN-AND-WILD RICE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Prepare rice mixes according to package directions. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add celery and onion. Saute 10 minutes or until tender. Stir in water chestnuts, rice, chicken, 3 cups cheese, and next 5 ingredients.
• Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 15x10 baking dish or a 4 quart baking dish. Top casserole with breadcumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese and almonds; bake 5 more minutes.
• You can divide this casserole evenly between 2 11x7 baking dishes. Bake as directed above or freeze casserole up to 1 month. Remove form freezer, and let stand at room temperature 1 hour. Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover casserole, and bake 55 more minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese adn almonds, and bake 5 more minutes.