CHICKEN AND WILD RICE CASSEROLE PIONEER WOMAN RECIPES

Steps:

• Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the olive oil to a 6- or 8-quart Instant Pot and set to sauté. Working in batches, add the chicken to the pot and cook until browned, 21⁄2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a plate.
• Add the celery, carrots, garlic, onion, rosemary, sage and thyme to the pot and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the wine and stir, scraping up the bottom of the pot. Cook until the wine is reduced by at least half, about 2 minutes. Add the broth, rice and 1⁄2 cup water and stir. Add the chicken and any juices from the plate; add the bay leaf.
• Put on and lock the lid, making sure the steam valve is in the sealing position. Set to pressure-cook on high for 25 minutes. After the time is up, carefully turn the valve to the venting position and let the steam release. Unlock and remove the lid, being careful of any remaining steam.
• Remove the chicken from the pot and shred with two forks in a bowl.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mash together the butter and flour with a fork to make a paste.
• Return the chicken to the pot. Add the butter mixture, stirring to thicken. Set the Instant Pot to sauté. Add the kale and cook 2 minutes. Stir in the half-and-half and bring to a simmer, then press cancel. Just before serving, remove the bay leaf, add the lemon juice and stir. Season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the wild rice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 2 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until al dente, about 30 minutes. Drain the rice and set it aside.
• In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion and a pinch of salt and cook until the vegetables are softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Mix together the chicken stock and cream in a measuring cup. Add a third of the stock mixture to the pot and cook until thickened slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in another third of the mixture and cook another minute or two. Add the remaining third and cook until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. The soup should coat the back of a spoon. Add the rosemary, black pepper and salt to taste. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
• Mix the butter crackers and olive oil in a bowl. Set aside.
• In a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish, spread a third of the soup on the bottom of the dish. Spread half of the rice on top of the soup and follow with half of the shredded chicken spread across the rice. Repeat the layers, then top with the remaining third of the soup mixture. Top with the butter cracker mixture. Bake until bubbly, about 45 minutes. If the cracker topping is getting too browned, cover with foil.
• Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with ketchup on the side!