Crockpot Cheesy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

• Meat

  • 1 1/4 lbs Chicken thighs or breasts, boneless skinless
  • 1 1/4 tsp Poultry seasoning

• Produce

  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 1/2 tbsp Garlic
  • 1 1/2 tsp Parsley, dried

• Canned Goods

  • 4 cups Swanson unsalted chicken broth

• Pasta & Grains

  • 1 1/4 cups Wild rice blend

• Baking & Spices

  • 1/3 cup Flour, white
  • 1/2 tsp Paprika
  • 1 Salt and pepper

• Dairy

  • 6 tbsp Butter, unsalted
  • 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup Whole milk

• Frozen

  • 2 1/2 cups Mixed vegetables

Found on chelseasmessyapron.com

Description

Directions

• Generously grease a large crockpot. I use a 6-quart crockpot for this recipe.
• Trim the fat from the chicken breasts or thighs. If using chicken breasts, cut each breast into 2-3 even pieces (so they will cook at the same rate as the rice).
• In a fine mesh strainer, rinse the wild rice blend to remove excess starch. Add to the crockpot.
• Prepare the veggies: dice an onion, thickly coin a carrot, slice celery, and chop the sweet potato into bite-sized pieces. Add to the crockpot.
• Add in the minced garlic, poultry seasoning, dried parsley, paprika, salt and pepper to taste (I use about 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper), and bay leaves.
• Pour 3 cups of chicken broth over everything and stir.
• Cover and cook on high for 2 and 1/2 - 4 and 1/2 hours or until the chicken is cooked through, rice is tender, and most of the liquid has been absorbed. I do not recommend cooking this dish on low.
• Near the end of cooking time, melt the butter in a small pot over medium heat.
• Whisking constantly, slowly add in the flour. Whisk the mixture for 1 minute.
• Very slowly whisk in the remaining 1 cup chicken broth. Allow the mixture to thicken. Again, very slowly, whisk in the whole milk. Allow the mixture to thicken.
• Shred the chicken in the crockpot and then add in the cream mixture, cheddar cheese, and if desired sliced almonds and fresh chopped parsley. Taste and add any other seasonings to taste such as a pinch more of salt and/or pepper.
• Enjoy immediately.