Description
Hearty chicken broccoli and rice casserole delivers comfort in a single dish. Creamy cheese sauce and tender ingredients blend perfectly, promising a satisfying meal for families seeking delicious nutrition.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (280 g / 9.9 oz) chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 ½ cups (150 g / 5.3 oz) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups (400 g / 14.1 oz) white rice (or brown rice), cooked
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 300 g) cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom)
- 2 cups (200 g / 7.1 oz) broccoli florets, steamed or blanched
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- ¼ cup (30 g / 1.1 oz) Parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for topping)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional, for a crunchy topping)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350F (175C) and delicately grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Rice and Broccoli Foundation: Cook rice according to package instructions and steam broccoli until vibrant green and tender, creating a harmonious base for the casserole.
- Mixture Composition: Combine cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, and rice in a large mixing bowl, introducing condensed soup, milk, seasonings, and salt to create a rich, creamy blend.
- Cheese Integration: Fold in cheddar and Parmesan cheese, ensuring an even distribution that promises a velvety, indulgent texture throughout the casserole.
- Baking Process: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly and crowning with an additional layer of cheese for a golden, melted topping.
- Culinary Transformation: Bake for 25-30 minutes, with an optional 2-3 minute broiler finish to achieve a crispy, caramelized surface.
- Serving Presentation: Allow the casserole to rest briefly, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs to elevate the dish’s visual and aromatic appeal.
Notes
Optimize Rice Texture: Rinse rice before cooking to remove excess starch, ensuring fluffy and separated grains that absorb flavors more effectively in the casserole.
Chicken Prep Perfection: Use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken for faster assembly and ensure meat is thoroughly shredded or diced into consistent bite-sized pieces for even distribution.
Moisture Management: Avoid overcooking broccoli to prevent watery consistency; steam until bright green and slightly crisp to maintain structural integrity and prevent diluting the creamy sauce.
Cheese Melting Magic: Grate cheese freshly for superior melting quality and consider mixing cheese types for complex flavor depth, combining sharp cheddar with creamy mozzarella or nutty Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg