Description
Hearty chicken broccoli rice casserole brings comfort and warmth to family dinner tables with its creamy, cheesy goodness. Packed with tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, and fluffy rice, you’ll savor each comforting, delicious bite of this classic one-dish meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cups shredded chicken
Vegetables:
- 2 cups steamed broccoli florets
Grains and Base:
- 3 cups cooked rice
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 1/2 cups (340 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Assemble the core ingredients by combining tender shredded chicken, fluffy cooked rice, and vibrant steamed broccoli in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Introduce creamy binding agents including cream of chicken soup and milk, which will enhance the casserole’s luxurious texture and provide moisture.
- Season the mixture thoroughly with aromatic garlic powder, ensuring balanced salt and pepper distribution for maximum flavor profile.
- Prepare a rectangular ceramic baking dish by lightly coating its interior with cooking spray or butter to prevent potential sticking.
- Carefully transfer the entire chicken-rice-broccoli amalgamation into the prepared baking vessel, spreading the contents evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Generously crown the casserole with a lavish blanket of shredded cheddar cheese, guaranteeing complete surface coverage for optimal melting potential.
- Position the dish in a preheated oven calibrated to 350°F, allowing the ingredients to meld and the cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
- Monitor the casserole during baking, removing when the cheese reaches a perfect molten state with delicate bronzed edges, typically requiring 25-30 minutes.
- Extract from the oven and permit the casserole a brief resting period, allowing internal temperatures to stabilize and flavors to harmonize before serving.
Notes
- Selecting the right chicken is crucial for maximum flavor, so opt for rotisserie or leftover roasted chicken with tender, juicy meat.
- Enhance the casserole’s nutrition by using brown rice instead of white rice, adding extra fiber and minerals to the dish.
- Make this recipe gluten-free by choosing a gluten-free cream of chicken soup and verifying all ingredient labels carefully.
- Create a lighter version by using low-fat cheese and replacing cream of chicken soup with a homemade Greek yogurt-based sauce for reduced calories.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg