Description
Hearty chicken and broccoli casserole melts together creamy cheese, tender rice, and succulent protein for a comforting family meal. Generous portions promise satisfaction with each delightful, cheesy forkful you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs chicken breast
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables:
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 0.5 cup diced onions
Base:
- 2 cups uncooked white rice
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 0.5 cup milk
- 0.5 cup sour cream
Seasonings:
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Topping:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
- Cook white rice according to package instructions, ensuring it’s fluffy and slightly undercooked to prevent mushiness during baking.
- While rice is cooking, dice chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized cubes, seasoning thoroughly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Sauté chicken in a skillet over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Chop broccoli florets and diced onions into small, consistent pieces to ensure even cooking and distribution throughout the casserole.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cream of chicken soup, milk, and sour cream, whisking until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Fold cooked rice, sautéed chicken, broccoli, and onions into the creamy soup mixture, stirring gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the entire surface of the casserole.
- Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter, then evenly distribute the crumb topping over the cheese layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Prevent rice from becoming mushy by slightly undercooking it before adding to the casserole, ensuring a perfect texture when baked.
- Swap chicken for tofu or plant-based protein to create a vegetarian version that maintains the creamy, comforting essence of the dish.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce calories and add extra protein while keeping the casserole creamy and delicious.
- Customize the breadcrumb topping with panko for extra crunch or add herbs like thyme or parsley for a more complex flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg