Description
Comfort meets nutrition in this delightful Broccoli Rice Casserole, blending creamy cheese with tender vegetables. Homemade goodness fills your plate with wholesome flavors that invite warm memories and satisfied smiles.
Ingredients
Scale
main ingredients:
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 lb chicken breast
side ingredients:
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
seasoning and extras:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prepare for the casserole assembly.
- Cook white rice according to package instructions, ensuring it’s fluffy and slightly undercooked to prevent mushiness during baking.
- Dice chicken breast into uniform bite-sized cubes, seasoning with salt and black pepper for enhanced flavor profile.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté chicken until golden brown and completely cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Chop broccoli florets into small, manageable pieces to ensure even cooking and distribution throughout the casserole.
- In the same skillet used for chicken, sauté minced garlic until fragrant, then add broccoli and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly tender.
- Combine cooked rice, chicken, and broccoli in the prepared baking dish, mixing gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Whisk milk and heavy cream together, then pour over the rice mixture to create a creamy base.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously across the top of the casserole, ensuring complete coverage.
- Dust the surface with breadcrumbs to create a crispy, golden-brown topping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted and the breadcrumbs turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set and flavors to meld together.
Notes
- Use slightly undercooked rice to prevent a mushy texture during baking, maintaining perfect grain consistency.
- Consider substituting chicken with tofu or plant-based protein for a vegetarian version that keeps the dish’s creamy essence.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like Swiss or Gruyère to create unique flavor profiles while maintaining the casserole’s comforting appeal.
- Add a dash of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to boost the dish’s depth and introduce a subtle warming kick to the recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 478
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg