Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Warm, comforting, and utterly satisfying, Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole is a classic dish reimagined, a creamy and flavourful bake that brings together tender chicken, vibrant broccoli florets, and fluffy rice, all enveloped in a rich, cheesy sauce. This is not just a simple casserole; it’s a celebration of family-friendly flavours, where wholesome ingredients meld together in a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, creating a meal that is both comforting and deeply enjoyable. Imagine the aroma of cheesy goodness wafting from your oven, the vibrant green of broccoli contrasting with the creamy white sauce, and the first spoonful delivering a perfect balance of savory chicken, tender rice, and cheesy richness, promising a culinary experience that is both easy to prepare and utterly satisfying to share. This recipe is your shortcut to weeknight dinner success, bringing the irresistible comfort of Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole to your kitchen, ready to be enjoyed by everyone at the table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

One-Dish Wonder for Easy Cleanup

Appreciate the sheer convenience of Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole as a complete meal in a single dish. Minimize kitchen cleanup and maximize flavour with this all-in-one casserole, baking everything together in one pan for effortless cooking and serving. Enjoy a delicious and satisfying dinner with minimal fuss and maximum ease, perfect for busy weeknights and simplifying your post-meal routine.

Classic Comfort Food with a Cheesy Twist

Indulge in the timeless appeal of Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole, a dish that embodies classic comfort food with an extra layer of cheesy indulgence. Combining familiar and beloved flavours, this casserole offers a nostalgic and heartwarming meal that is both comforting and deeply satisfying. Experience the ultimate comfort food experience, perfect for cozy nights in and bringing back cherished memories of home-cooked goodness.

Perfectly Balanced Flavors and Textures

Savor the harmonious blend of flavours and textures in every bite of Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole. The creamy cheese sauce perfectly complements the tender chicken, fluffy rice, and slightly crisp broccoli, creating a balanced and satisfying culinary experience. Enjoy a dish that is both flavourful and texturally pleasing, offering a delightful combination of creamy, savory, and subtly crisp elements.

Make-Ahead Meal for Stress-Free Evenings

Simplify your weeknight dinners with the make-ahead convenience of Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole. Assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake it just before serving, allowing for stress-free meal preparation and freeing up your time for other evening activities. Enjoy the ease of having a delicious and comforting dinner ready to bake whenever you are, offering a perfect solution for busy schedules and streamlined meal planning.

Customizable to Your Family’s Preferences

Adapt Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole to perfectly suit your family’s taste preferences and dietary needs. Easily customize the cheese sauce, vegetables, and seasonings to create a casserole that is uniquely yours and caters to individual cravings. Enjoy the flexibility to personalize this recipe and create a family-favorite dish that everyone will love, offering endless possibilities for variations and flavour adjustments.

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Ingredients:

For the Creamy and Flavorful Casserole Base

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded or diced. Chicken provides the protein base for this hearty casserole, becoming tender and flavourful as it bakes. Cooked chicken is used for convenience and to ensure it is fully cooked before baking in the casserole. Ensure to use halal certified chicken. Shredding or dicing ensures even distribution throughout the casserole.
• 1 large broccoli crown, cut into small florets. Broccoli adds a vibrant green colour, a slightly crisp texture, and a mild, earthy flavour to the casserole, balancing the richness of the cheese sauce. Fresh broccoli florets are recommended for the best texture and flavour. Cut into small florets for even cooking and distribution.
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice. Rice provides a hearty and carbohydrate-rich base for the casserole, absorbing the creamy cheese sauce and adding a comforting texture. Uncooked long-grain rice is used as it cooks directly in the casserole, absorbing the liquid and flavours.
• 2 cans (10.75 ounces each) condensed cream of chicken soup. Cream of chicken soup forms the creamy base of the casserole sauce, providing a rich and savory flavour and binding the ingredients together. Condensed cream of chicken soup is a convenient pantry staple for casserole recipes. Ensure to select a halal certified cream of chicken soup.
• 1 cup milk, whole milk or 2%. Milk thins the condensed soup and adds extra creaminess and moisture to the casserole sauce, creating a smooth and luscious texture. Whole milk provides a richer flavour and texture, while 2% milk is a lighter option.
• 1 cup chicken broth, low sodium. Chicken broth adds flavour and moisture to the casserole, helping the rice cook and infusing the dish with savory chicken flavour. Low sodium chicken broth allows for better control over the overall salt level.
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, sharp or mild. Cheddar cheese provides the signature cheesy flavour of the casserole, melting beautifully and creating a gooey, golden-brown topping. Sharp cheddar cheese offers a more pronounced cheesy flavour, while mild cheddar is milder and creamier. Shredded cheese melts evenly and distributes well throughout the casserole.
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, low-moisture part-skim. Mozzarella cheese adds extra meltiness and stretch to the cheese topping, creating a gooey and visually appealing casserole. Low-moisture part-skim mozzarella melts well and prevents the casserole from becoming too watery.
• ¼ cup butter, unsalted, melted. Melted butter adds richness and flavour to the casserole, especially when drizzled over the breadcrumb topping, helping it brown and crisp up. Unsalted butter allows for better control over the salt level. Melt butter completely for even drizzling.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder, enhances the savory flavour of the casserole, adding a pungent and aromatic note to the cheese sauce and chicken. Garlic powder is a convenient way to add garlic flavour throughout the casserole.
• 1 teaspoon onion powder, complements the garlic powder and adds another layer of savory flavour to the casserole, enhancing the overall depth of flavour. Onion powder adds a subtle savory sweetness that complements the garlic and cheese.
• ½ teaspoon salt, essential for seasoning the casserole, enhancing all the flavours and preventing a bland taste. Salt is crucial for balancing the flavours of the casserole and bringing out the best in each ingredient. Adjust to taste.
• ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground. Black pepper adds a touch of subtle spice and complexity, complementing the other seasonings and enhancing the overall flavour profile. Freshly ground black pepper is preferred for its more robust flavour.

For the Crispy Breadcrumb Topping (Optional)

• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs, Japanese-style breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs provide a light and airy texture for the topping, creating a satisfyingly crispy crust on the casserole. Panko breadcrumbs are larger and flakier than regular breadcrumbs, resulting in a crispier topping.
• 2 tablespoons melted butter, unsalted. Melted butter is mixed with the breadcrumbs to help them brown and crisp up beautifully in the oven, adding richness and flavour to the topping. Unsalted butter allows for better control over the salt level. Melt butter completely for even mixing with breadcrumbs.
• ¼ teaspoon paprika, sweet or smoked. Paprika adds colour and a subtle flavour to the breadcrumb topping, enhancing its visual appeal and adding a hint of smoky or sweet note. Sweet paprika provides a mild flavour and vibrant colour, while smoked paprika adds a deeper smoky flavour.

How to Make Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole ?

Step 1: Prepare the Casserole Base

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Preheat oven to the correct temperature for baking the casserole.

In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, broccoli florets, uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, milk, chicken broth, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Combine all casserole ingredients in a large bowl, ensuring even distribution.

Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly. Mix until all ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 2: Assemble the Casserole

Pour the chicken and rice mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour casserole mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading evenly across the bottom.

If using breadcrumb topping, in a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and paprika. Combine breadcrumb topping ingredients in a small bowl and mix until evenly moistened.

Sprinkle the breadcrumb topping evenly over the casserole. Sprinkle breadcrumb topping evenly over the surface of the casserole mixture. This step is optional but adds a nice crispy topping.

Step 3: Bake the Casserole

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown, and the rice is cooked through. Bake casserole until bubbly, golden brown on top, and rice is cooked through and tender. Baking time may vary slightly depending on oven and baking dish.

Check for doneness by inserting a fork into the center of the casserole to ensure rice is cooked through.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Let Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole cool slightly before serving. Let casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly and make serving easier.

Serve warm and enjoy each cheesy, comforting bite.

Tips for Variations:

Creamier Cheese Sauce Indulgence

Add cream cheese, softened, or sour cream to the casserole mixture for an even creamier and richer cheese sauce. Cream cheese or sour cream adds extra creaminess and tanginess to the cheese sauce.

Spicy Pepper Jack Cheese Kick

Substitute pepper jack cheese for cheddar cheese for a spicier and more flavorful cheese topping. Pepper jack cheese adds a spicy kick and a different flavour profile to the cheese topping.

Vegetable Medley Boost

Add other vegetables like chopped carrots, peas, or mushrooms to the casserole for extra nutrients and flavour. Adding other vegetables increases the nutritional value and adds variety to the casserole.

Herbed Breadcrumb Topping Aroma

Add dried herbs like Italian seasoning, thyme, or rosemary to the breadcrumb topping for an herbaceous flavour boost. Dried herbs in the breadcrumb topping add aromatic complexity and flavour depth.

Crispy Fried Onion Topping Crunch

Substitute French fried onions for panko breadcrumbs for a classic crispy fried onion topping. French fried onions offer a different type of crispy topping with a savory onion flavour.

Serving Suggestions:

Green Salad with Vinaigrette Freshness

Serve Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole with a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing for a refreshing and balanced meal. Green salad provides a light and fresh counterpoint to the rich and creamy casserole.

Roasted Asparagus Spears

Pair Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole with roasted asparagus spears for a healthy and elegant vegetable side dish. Roasted asparagus adds a simple and healthy vegetable side that complements the casserole.

Garlic Bread Sticks Warmth

Serve Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole with warm garlic bread sticks for a comforting and carbohydrate-rich accompaniment. Garlic bread sticks are perfect for soaking up the creamy cheese sauce and adding extra warmth to the meal.

Tomato Soup Starter

Begin your meal with a bowl of creamy tomato soup before serving Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole for a comforting and classic soup and casserole combination. Tomato soup provides a warm and comforting starter that pairs well with the casserole.

Fruit Salad Dessert Lightness

Finish your meal with a light and refreshing fruit salad after enjoying Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole for a balanced and satisfying dining experience. Fruit salad offers a light and refreshing dessert to balance the richness of the casserole.

FAQ:

Can I use pre-cooked rice?

Pre-cooked rice is not recommended as it may become mushy when baked in the casserole. Uncooked rice is designed to absorb the liquid in the casserole and cook properly during baking.

How do I prevent the casserole from drying out?

Ensure there is enough liquid (milk and chicken broth) in the casserole mixture before baking. If it looks dry during baking, add a little more milk or broth. Sufficient liquid is crucial for preventing a dry casserole.

Can I use frozen broccoli?

Frozen broccoli florets can be used, but thaw and drain them well before adding to the casserole to prevent excess moisture. Thawing and draining frozen broccoli helps prevent a watery casserole.

How long does Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole stay fresh?

Leftover Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat thoroughly in the oven or microwave. Reheat leftovers thoroughly to ensure food safety and best texture.

Can I freeze Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole?

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole can be frozen after baking. Allow to cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Freezing is a convenient way to store leftovers for longer periods.

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