Are you looking for the ultimate family dinner that is both hearty and healthy? Look no further! This broccoli, rice, and cheese casserole has a winning combo of flavors that makes everyone happy. Regardless of your culinary experience, this casserole is incredibly simple to prepare, taking only about 5 minutes to assemble. Cooking it will take longer than gathering your ingredients and building the meal. Not to mention that with our pro tricks and different variations, you can tailor it for your taste or dietary lifestyle. Now onto this delicious recipe that brings together the taste of broccoli, the fullness of rice, and the creamy goodness of cheese and chicken for a protein-packed punch!
What Makes Broccoli, Rice, Cheese, and Chicken Casserole the Best?
For years, casseroles were as comfortable a part of the American home-cooking fabric as they come, serving up an easy way to make a bright and complete meal with none of the work. What makes Our Broccoli, Rice, Cheese, and Chicken Casserole special?
- Complete Nutrition: This dish is a perfect combination of protein, veggies, and some carbohydrates to keep you satisfied.
- Kid-friendly: homemade cheese sauce and tender chicken—kids love it!
Affordable: Prepared with everyday ingredients, making it very pocket-friendly for families. - It can easily adapt to different dietary requirements and preferences.
- It is quick to prepare and bake, making it an ideal weekday meal.
This isn’t just a meal; it’s comfort food that will spread positive cheer on your dinner table. This recipe is perfect if you have a large family to feed or are meal-prepping for the week. Recipe Overview
Alright, you know the recipe by now—so let me just show you a bit of info on it before hitting you with instructions!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 35 minutes.
- Total time: 50 minutes.
- Servings: 6 servings
This casserole cooks in under an hour, making it ideal for nights when you don’t want to cook.
Ingredients you’ll need
Prepping the ingredients in advance will help you cook more elegantly. This casserole requires only…
2 cups of uncooked rice: pick your favorite—white, brown, or if you like wild rice—to add some texture and flavor.
One 10-oz can of cream of chicken soup provides a creamy base and enhances its richness.
We recommend using one 10-oz can of cream of mushroom soup. This adds a savory note and enhances the creaminess of the soup.
The rotisserie works great too!
To sauté and add some richness, use a cup of butter.
• 1 cup of milk gives the casserole some creaminess and binds it all together.
• 1 small onion, chopped. Adds an aromatic flavor
• 16 oz. broccoli, fresh or frozen (bite-sized pieces)
To make it melty and gooey, add 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.
Ingredients You Can Add for Added Taste:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper •¼ teaspoon salt •½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional for extra cheesy topping)
- ½ cup bread crumbs (a crunchy effect)
That way, you can create a focaccia recipe without any problem. Right now, let’s get into the steps!
Step-by-Step Instructions
This casserole is simple to make and requires no advanced cooking skills. Following these instructions to perfect a butter garlic potato casserole will definitely impress your guests.
Step 1: Gather your pieces up.
Firstly, you should gather and prepare all your ingredients.
1. Cook the Rice: Take 2 cups of uncooked rice and put them in a strainer under cold water.
[Medium saucepan, 4 cups water] Add a pinch of salt.
• Add the rice, reduce the heat to low, cover it, and simmer it for 18–20 minutes until it becomes tender and absorbs the water. • Take it off heat and leave to rest with a lid on for 5 minutes. Use a fork to fluff.
2. Prepare the chicken: • If using the shredded, pre-cooked kind, shred into bite-size chunks. Bachelor Tip: For the chicken breasts, you can also cook them by boiling water and adding some salt for around 15-20 minutes until fully cooked, then shred them.
3. Prepare the vegetables: finely chop one small onion.
• 16 oz. fresh broccoli, cut into small florets They are ok to use frozen, but allow them to thaw so you can drain any excess water.
Step 2: Cooking the Rice
Before you start the other ingredients, cut up everything and stick it in a 9×13-inch casserole dish. The goal is to cook the rice absolutely perfectly, as it provides the foundation of this entire dish.
* Note: This will be more mashed’ than ‘grated’; if you want a crumblier texture, then use a rice cooker or instant pot. The released parties disclaim all responsibility for any harm, loss, costs, damage, and expenses, as well as any liability or publicity resulting from the recommendations. worstpornvids.com Learn more about Beef-Free Stuffed Pepper. • Tip: For fluffier results, use rice cookers or instant pots if available. This approach also enables you to save time and get consistent results.
Step 3: Mixing the casserole
Once the rice and chicken have finished cooking, mix everything together.
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). It also helps bake the casserole at the same time.
2. Saute the onions.
In a large skillet, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat.
Step 1: Fry the chopped onions with some oil and cook until caramelized. This step enhances the flavor by caramelizing the onions and imparting a pleasant natural sweetness.
3. Combine the ingredients:
• Mix the cooked rice, shredded chicken, and sautéed onions into a large mixing bowl with 16 oz of the broccoli.
• Stir in 2 cans of cream soup (or chicken and mushroom), 1 cup of milk, and 2 cups of shredded Cheddar cheese.
• To ensure complete mixing, thoroughly combine all ingredients. That way, everyone always gets a flavorful and balanced bite.
4. Season to Taste: If using, season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Taste the seasonings to confirm, and adjust as needed.
Step 4: Baking to Perfection
After you have mixed everything well, bake it into the casserole dish.
1. Transfer to Baking Dish: • Spread the mixture out evenly in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Place the final layer of cheese on top.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (and mozzarella, if using) evenly over all. And BINGO, you have some of the most amazing cheese crust chunks to add some flavor and texture.
3. Optional Topping: Sprinkle 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs on top of the cheese layer for some crunch. This step is not a must, but it adds an additional layer of texture.
4. Bake: • Bake in a preheated oven.
Bake the casserole for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the edges begin to bubble and the cheese on top melts and turns a light golden brown.
Note: Bake the casserole in the middle of the oven; avoid opening the oven door too often.
Step 5: Serving and Enjoying
You want it cooked in the oven and then left to rest!
1. Cool Down: • Take the casserole dish out of the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. He’ll let it sit for about 10 minutes to firm up before slicing and serving the casserole.
2. Serve: • Transfer the casserole onto plates or consume it directly from the baking dish, then proceed with the serving.
Sprinkle a little fresh parsley or paprika over the top to add a bit more color and taste.
3. Enjoy:
How to Serve Broccoli, Rice, Cheese, and Chicken Casserole • Serve it hot and enjoy every spoonful of combined broccoli’s creamy cheese taste.
Serving Suggestions: For the ultimate meal, serve with a green salad or garlic bread.
Lighter version: steamed vegetables, or a side of fruit.
Perfect Casserole Tips and Tricks
Raise the stakes of casserole-making with these expert tips that promise your dish will leave nobody indifferent:
1. Work with fresh ingredients.
• Use fresh broccoli instead of frozen broccoli for its vibrant color and superior structure. If using fresh, blanch the broccoli to keep its green color and crispness intact before adding it into the casserole.
• Spatchcock Chicken: This is the chicken that Hoss grills, and it reduces your time in the kitchen even further. I try not to use super dry or overly processed chicken—it tastes so much better when cooked fresh.
2. Customize Your Cheese Blend • Cheese is good, but don’t limit yourself. Combine cheddar with other cheeses like mozzarella, monterey jack, or gruyère for a more advanced taste.
Shredded vs. sliced: Shredded cheese will melt more evenly, and its combination of tiny pieces will easily integrate into the casserole.
3. Improve the flavor base.
• Garlic: An optional teaspoon of minced garlic that adds more depth to your casserole
Herbs and spices—fresh or dried herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or basil can take the flavor up a notch. For a little heat, try red pepper flakes.
4. Incorporate crunchy toppings.
Breadcrumbs: On top, sprinkle a mixture of breadcrumbs and melted butter in an even single layer.
Crushed Crackers: For a buttery, crispy finish, crush and spread Ritz or saltine crackers.
Fried Onions Fried onions are excellent for flavor and crunch.
5. Ensure even cooking.
• Use regular layers to ensure that the dish cooks evenly over a long period of heat.
• Top with Foil First: If you notice the top of your casserole browning too quickly, pop a piece of aluminum foil on it for the first 25 minutes of baking. Next, remove it and allow the cheese to brown.
Delicious Variations to Try:
One of the best aspects of casseroles is their ability to adapt to any dish. Variations: Spice it up with some creative twists on this simple recipe.
1. Vegetarian Version: Chicken to plant-based: Try tofu or tempeh instead of chicken.
• Increase the veggies: For more vegetables, add bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms.
2. Gluten-Free Casserole
• Gluten-Free Rice: Check to make sure your rice is gluten-free.
• Be vigilant about gluten-free soups. Check all cream soups, and if in doubt, make yours gluten-free!
3. Spicy Kick
Jalapeños: slice jalapeños or green chilies to add heat.
• Spice It Up With Cheese: Substitute pepper jack cheese for the cheddar to give your grilled cheese an even spicier kick.
4. A healthy boost
• Whole Grain Rice: Replace white rice with brown or wild rice to increase the dietary fiber.
• Low-fat: Replace whole milk with non-fat or low-fat, and choose low-fat cheese to lighten up the calories.
For instance, you can incorporate spinach or kale to enhance the nutritional value of your dish.
5. Tex-Mex Style
• Southwest Taco Seasoning: Stir in taco seasoning.
• Salsa On Top: Or Offer Salsa Along With Mixed-In Diced Tomatoes
• Corn and Black Beans: The corn kernels and black beans provide both texture and flavor.
6. Italian-inspired sausage: For a protein change, swap out the chicken for Italian sausage.
• Italian herbs: add oregano, basil, and Parmesan for an Italian touch.
• Layer Lasagna Noodles: For Italian-style comfort food, replace the rice with cooked lasagna noodles.
FAQ
1. Can I use any other cheese?
Absolutely! Optional cheese options include traditional cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a combination of your favorite cheeses for added flavor.
Is it possible to freeze this casserole?
Indeed, this casserole freezes exceptionally well. Build the casserole, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, then cover it with foil, and freeze it for up to 3 months. Bake on top of the foil, straight from the freezer without thawing.
3. Prepare this casserole in advance.
You can assemble this casserole a day in advance. Just put it together and refrigerate. Before you plan to bake, preheat the oven, and when the casserole is cold, add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time.
4. How can I substitute chicken?
However, if you want to swap out the protein for anything else (try turkey, ham, or even plant-based options like tofu and tempeh), feel free.
5. How can I avoid the casserole being too dry?
Just be sure to cut it with some smooth ingredients, such as cream of chicken and mushroom soups; do not overbake. Once the top becomes bubbly and the casserole no longer feels dry throughout, it’s ready.
6. Can I add other vegetables?
Absolutely! You can add bell peppers, carrots, peas, or any of your favorite vegetables to make this kurma more nutritious and flavor rich.
Conclusion
Broccoli, Rice, Cheese, and Chicken Casserole isn’t only a recipe—it’s a tasty family embodiment of Dee Felice Bolden’s love at dinnertime. The richness of flavors, creaminess of textures, and simple ingredients that go in make it apt for any occasion, be it a regular weekday dinner or a Christmas spread.
