Description
Comfort meets convenience in this mouthwatering Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole, blending tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and melted cheese into a satisfying one-dish wonder. Creamy, hearty, and perfect for family dinners, you’ll savor each comforting, cheesy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Carbohydrates:
- 2 cups (280 g) cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 2 cups (400 g) cooked white rice (or brown rice)
- 2 cups (200 g) broccoli florets, steamed or blanched
Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 300 g) cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom)
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
- 1 ½ cups (150 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup (30 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional, for a crunchy topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the kitchen workspace by warming the oven to 350F (175C) and coating a 9×13-inch baking vessel with cooking lubricant to prevent sticking.
- Transform broccoli florets into tender morsels through quick steaming, ensuring they maintain a vibrant emerald hue. Simultaneously, craft perfectly fluffy rice according to package guidance.
- Ignite olive oil in a skillet, gently caramelizing chopped onions until translucent and aromatic. Introduce minced garlic for a brief moment, allowing its essence to permeate the kitchen atmosphere.
- Choreograph a flavor symphony by blending shredded chicken, precisely cooked rice, emerald broccoli fragments, sautéed aromatics, cream of chicken essence, dairy liquid, sharp cheddar shreds, garlic and onion powders, and seasoning agents into a harmonious mixture.
- Distribute the culinary composition evenly across the prepared baking receptacle, creating a uniform landscape. Embellish the surface with a delicate sprinkle of parmesan granules and crisp breadcrumb fragments for textural intrigue.
- Slide the assembled creation into the heated oven, allowing 25-30 minutes of transformative cooking. Watch for molten cheese rivers, bubbling edges, and a golden-kissed surface signaling perfect doneness.
- Permit the casserole a brief moment ofRestBefore serving, allowing flavors to harmonize. Present alongside a crisp salad or warm garlic-infused bread for a complete gastronomic experience.
Notes
- Broccoli Brilliance: Steam the broccoli just until bright green to maintain its nutritional value and prevent soggy texture in the casserole.
- Protein Flexibility: Swap chicken with rotisserie, leftover, or canned chicken for quick preparation, or use turkey, tofu, or plant-based alternatives for dietary preferences.
- Cheese Mastery: Mix different cheese varieties like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Swiss to create a more complex flavor profile and enhance the creamy consistency.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace cream of chicken soup with homemade white sauce and use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed rice crackers to make the dish celiac-friendly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg