Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole (Printable version)

Creamy baked dish combining tender chicken, fresh broccoli, fluffy rice, and melted cheddar in a golden-topped casserole.

# Ingredient list:

→ Protein & Dairy

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
02 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
03 - 1 cup sour cream
04 - 1 cup milk

→ Vegetables

05 - 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
06 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Grains

08 - 2 cups cooked white or brown rice

→ Sauces & Seasonings

09 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika

→ Topping

13 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Heat a splash of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked chicken, broccoli florets, cooked rice, sautéed onion and garlic, 1½ cups cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, condensed cream of chicken soup, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
04 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared 9x13-inch baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
05 - Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
06 - In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter until well combined. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
07 - Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until the casserole is hot and bubbly around the edges and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown.
08 - Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set for easier scooping.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan while the oven does the work, leaving you time to actually sit down
  • The creamy cheese sauce binds everything together so even picky eaters clean their plates
  • Leftovers somehow taste better the next day, if they last that long
02 -
  • Dont skip the resting period, otherwise the casserole will be too loose and the cheese sauce wont have time to set
  • If the top is browning too quickly, loosely tent with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking
  • The casserole is done when a knife inserted in the center comes out hot and the cheese is bubbling around the edges
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded cheese coated in anti caking agents that prevent smooth melting
  • Spread the mixture to the edges of the pan so the cheesy bits get crispy and golden
  • If you only have frozen broccoli, thaw it completely and squeeze out excess moisture before adding

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