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Traeger Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

For this homemade Traeger Chicken Wild Rice Casserole recipe, we take grilled chicken breasts and hearty wild rice along with tons of vegetables and cheese and combine them into a comforting and hearty casserole. This dish perfectly blends the smokiness from the grill with the nuttiness of wild rice, creating so many layers of flavor. A creamy sauce marries it all together, which is ideal for a satisfying family meal. This recipe is a twist on traditional casseroles, infusing every bite with wood-fired taste.

Traeger Smoked Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

Traeger Smoked Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

If you aren’t from Minnesota, you might not even KNOW how amazing and versatile wild rice is, and for that, I feel a little sorry for you. This hearty “rice” isn’t even rice at all, but a unique grain cultivated by the Native American communities and it quickly became a staple in the regions around these areas.

This recipe is an excellent choice for those seeking to impress dinner guests or simply enjoy a rich, hearty casserole at home. The Traeger grill infuses the chicken with a depth of flavor that can’t be mimicked in an oven or stovetop. It’s a crowd-pleaser, with the smokiness taking a familiar casserole to new heights of flavor and making it a memorable meal.

That being said, if your smoker is buried in snow or you don’t have one yet (GASP!) – you can totally make this in the oven. Just follow the same instructions for the Traeger, but use the oven instead.

Creating the sauce from scratch rather than resorting to store-bought “cream of” soups gives the cook complete control over the ingredients. This not only allows for adjustments to dietary restrictions but also enhances the dish’s overall flavor profile. Homemade sauce can be tailored for sodium content and can avoid preservatives and additives found in canned soups.

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Moreover, a from-scratch sauce boasts a freshness that can’t be found in a can. The roux-based sauce, thickened with flour and butter and enriched with cream and stock, carries the subtle spices and herbs more effectively, melding perfectly with the smokiness of the chicken and the earthiness of the wild rice. You’re going to LOVE this combination, I know it.

Why you’ll love this dish…

  • Hearty, delicious, and HOMEMADE!
  • All the cheese. That’s reason enough.
  • Wild rice is high in protein and dietary fiber, making it a healthy addition to this casserole.
  • No “cream of” soups allows you to control the flavor completely!

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Traeger Smoked Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole shopping list

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  • Chicken breasts
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Poultry seasoning
  • Butter
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • All-purpose flour
  • Dry white wine
  • Chicken broth
  • Heavy cream
  • Dry mustard
  • Parsley
  • Poultry seasoning
  • Carrots
  • Basmati or Jasmine rice
  • Broccoli florets
  • Sharp cheddar cheese
  • Colby jack cheese

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Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

How to make Traeger Smoked Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1

Preheat & Prep

Fire up the grill and get it preheating to 325°F.

Season your chicken breasts.

2

Grill

Put the chicken breasts on the grill and let cook until they reach 160°F internal temp. Remove and let cool for a while before cutting into bite-sized pieces.

3

Sauce

While the chicken is grilling, make the sauce.

4

Assemble & Grill

Assemble the casserole and pour over the sauce.

Put into the grill and cook for another 35-40 minutes, until everything is hot and bubbly, and the cheese is melted and getting little brown spots on the top.

5

Enjoy

Remove from the smoker and let cool for 10-15 minutes before digging in.

Have some Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup?

Traeger Smoked Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole FAQ

Can this recipe be made in advance?

Yes! This casserole is perfect to make ahead to have on hand for quick weeknight dinners or lunches. It reheats beautifully and would be great to take over to a new mom or someone on a meal train that needs a home-cooked meal but doesn’t want to make it themselves.

What’s the best way to store and reheat this dish?

Store this dish covered in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave for best results. An air fryer or oven would also work if you don’t have a microwave.

What’s the best way to cook the wild rice used in this recipe?

We like the Instant Pot Wild Rice method. If you don’t have an electric pressure cooker, you can also boil the rice on the stovetop for 30-45 minutes, until it pops open and is tender.

Try our Wild Rice Zucchini Boats too!

Traeger Smoked Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole
Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

More great casserole recipes to love!

Chicken Wild Rice Casserole
Yield: 8 servings

Traeger Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole

Our made-from-scratch creamy chicken and wild rice casserole is perfect for a hearty meal full of delicious vegetables, tender chicken, and hearty wild rice. Don't forget the cheese! We have lots of that too.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 3 large chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

Homemade Cream Sauce

  • 1/2 cup butter, salted
  • 1/2 medium onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1 cup carrots, sliced

All the rest

  • 3 cups cooked cooked basmati or jasmine rice
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 cups Colby jack cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Preheat your smoker to 325°F.
  2. Season the chicken breasts with your salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning.
  3. Grill directly on the grill grates until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. When cooked, rest for 10 minutes before cutting into bite-sized chunks.
  4. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce.
  5. In a medium pan over medium heat, melt butter and saute onion until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in flour until no lumps remain, and cook over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
  6. Slowly add in wine and chicken broth, whisking to combine. Add in dry mustard, parsley, and poultry seasonings. Cook until thickened, add in the carrots, and let simmer for 10 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat and slowly stir in cream, and then set aside.
  8. Assemble the casserole by preparing a 9x13 high-sided baking pan with cooking spray and then layering in the chicken, broccoli, and rice. Give it a stir so everything is evenly distributed. Cover with the cheese. Pour the hot sauce over the top of everything.
  9. Put the pan in the Traeger at 325°F for 30-40 minutes, or until mixture is bubbly and heated through. Cover with tin foil if the top starts to brown too much.
  10. Remove and let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 633Total Fat: 38gSaturated Fat: 23gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 144mgSodium: 1138mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 33g

Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate. If you are tracking these things for medical purposes please consult an outside, trusted source. Thanks!

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Nicole Johnson

Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.

Ray

Tuesday 27th of February 2024

If this wasn’t the best leftover dish I’ve ever made, it’s in the top 5.

I used 1/2 of a chicken left over from a spatchcock smoke along with real MN wild rice. Aside from going a little heavier on the cheese and garlic than the recipe called for I pretty much colored inside the lines.

Thanks for posting it. I will definitely make it again.

Nicole Johnson

Tuesday 27th of February 2024

Thank you so much! I'm so glad that you liked it. I always go heavier on the cheese and garlic than the recipes call for too! :D

35 Easy Chicken Casserole Recipes | Good Cookery

Tuesday 11th of September 2018

[…] Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole from Or Whatever You Do […]

Md

Sunday 29th of November 2015

I wish I hadn't made this. So many things wrong with this recipe. 4 cups of cooked wild rice with the basmati rice is WAY too much. the vegetables to NOT cook enough. The sauce does not soak through the dish once layered. It sits on top the mixture, leaving everything on the bottom dry. . Total waste of food and a complete waste of my Sunday morning. I highly doubt those who already commented actually made this.

Nicole Johnson

Sunday 29th of November 2015

I'm very sorry you had that experience. I've made this recipe many times and have never encountered what you are describing. My apologies! I hate it when a recipe doesn't turn out the way that I'd hoped. I'd be happy to help troubleshoot if you'd like. Just use the "contact me" tab on the right side of the screen to send me a message. Thanks for reading, and for taking the time to give me feedback!

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Saturday 3rd of January 2015

[…] 10. Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Casserole […]

Jennifer

Saturday 30th of August 2014

This looks great. I hate using soups as well. I wonder if you made the creamy sauce put all other things uncooked into the pan and cooked for a longer time if they would all cook together and make a nice meal.

Nicole

Saturday 30th of August 2014

I don't think that would work without some major adjustments, but what a great idea! The next time I make this I will do some experimenting and see if I can't come up with something like that. I really like buying or making extra of these types of ingredients when I'm cooking, and then tossing them in the freezer for nights when I just want to throw something in a pan and bake it. Making the sauce is sometimes all I can do in a night! :) Thanks for reading!

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