Healthy Cheesy Chicken Broccoli And Rice Casserole Recipe
This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole is a favourite casserole recipe for my family. A perfect one-dish meal for those busy family dinners, potluck or a great weekend prep.
This recipe is simple, just involves basic ingredients and provides you with a hearty meal rich in flavours and nutrients. Whether you are cooking for a group or crunched for time during the week, this casserole will be a classic in your household.
Ingredients for Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need to make this flavorful casserole:
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 1 1/2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions for Making Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Cook the Chicken:
If you haven’t already pre-cooked your chicken, start by seasoning boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs with a dash of salt and pepper.
Cook them in a frying pan on normal flame until thoroughly cooked, then shred or dice the chicken as you desire. Or else use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.
Steam the Broccoli:
Steam fresh broccoli florets until they turn tender but are still a little bit crisp. If you are using frozen broccoli, thaw it completely and get rid of any excess moisture. This keeps the casserole from becoming watery.
Cook the rice:
Follow the directions for the rice on the package. After you finish, let it cool off so the moisture leaves but not so that the rice gets dry and hard. If you can make it, use smaller-sized long-grain varieties: each will give a better fluffy texture!
Do not add anything to the rice in the pot unless necessary– otherwise when placing it into the bread machine, old and/or stale food particles (flour, sugar, salt, milk-retarding agents such as raisins or nuts) will grow unpleasant moulds all too soon.
Make the creamy sauce:
Mix the cooked chicken and steamed broccoli with a little cooked rice, then put them all in a large bowl. Meanwhile, when combined with the canned creamy chicken soup, it is recommended to add some milk or chicken broth if the mixture seems too thick.
To make homemade cream sauce, melt butter in a saucepan. When it has melted, add flour and stir constantly with a whisk for about two or three minutes; this will create a thick paste called roux.
Add in some chicken broth and then gradually pour the milk until your sauce becomes thick and creamy. Season with garlic powder, onion salt, and pepper to taste.
Assemble the casserole:
First preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray. Pour the chicken, broccoli, rice, and cream sauce mixture into the prepared dish of choice, spreading about evenly across its surface.
Sprinkle some more shredded cheese on top to give it a golden, cheesy crust.
Bake the casserole:
Put the casserole into a 350 ° oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and golden brown on top. If you like it crispy you can broil it at the very last 2-3 minutes. But watch closely in order not to burn.
Serve and Enjoy:
When finished baking, let the casserole cool for a minute before removing it from the oven. Serve the hot cornflake chicken casserole, garnished with parsley or a little extra cheese if desired.
Add a simple salad and garlic bread to make this a good family meal.
Variations and Customizations
- Cheesy Chicken with Cauliflower Rice Casseroles: Replace white or brown rice with cauliflower rice for fewer carbs.
- Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Wild Rice Casseroles: If you use wild rice or a mix of wild plus brown, the casserole is richer in texture and flavour. It tastes nutty and earthy with the chicken and cheese pair–more robust than ever to boot!
- Spicy Cheesy Chicken with Broccoli Casseroles: To kick the dish, chop some jalapeños and add them to the casserole mixture. For a bit of extra zing, try using pepper jack instead of cheddar (cheese) to turn it spicy height as well.
- Vegan Cheesy Broccoli & rice Casseroles: Replace chicken with vegan meat, dairy-free cheese and a vegan cream sauce made from almond milk or cashew cream to make the dish plant-based.
- More vegetables: Add carrots, peas, and green bell peppers for colour and nutrition.
- Swap the protein: You can use turkey, ham, or even ground beef instead of chicken.
- Make it healthier: Make it with whole brown rice instead of white and low-fat cheese or sour cream to cut down on calories and fat
- Gluten-free option: Substitute the cream of chicken soup with a gluten-free version and use gluten-free bread crumbs for the topping.
Tips and Tricks
- Prep ahead: Ahead of time assemble these casseroles and put them in the refrigerator until you are ready to put them in the oven. A perfect weeknight meal that’s ready for use whenever.
- Use rotisserie chicken. To save time, purchased rotisserie chicken works well. Even better, it’s already cooked and full of flavour. It further quickens the process- a real time-saver.
- Rice variety. You can use any type of rice you prefer–brown rice, white rice, or nutty-flavoured and crunchy wild rice for a taste alternative.
- Use rotisserie chicken. To save time, purchased rotisserie chicken works well. Even better, it’s already cooked and full of flavour. It further quickens the process- a real time-saver.
- Rice variety. You can use any type of rice you prefer–brown rice, white rice, or nutty-flavoured and crunchy wild rice for a taste alternative.
Conclusion
Cheesy chicken broccoli and rice casserole is a delicious warm dish that’s loved by all ages. It’s a perfect combination of smooth, cheesy goodness with succulent chicken, healthy broccoli and thick rice.
This casserole could be made ahead the night before, or prepared in the morning and popped into the oven at dinnertime. The recipe is flexible and simple either way.
