Description
Comforting easy cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole brings warmth to family dinner tables with its creamy, satisfying layers. Home cooks can quickly prepare this hearty meal that promises delicious satisfaction in every single bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (300 g) cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 2 cups (200 g) broccoli florets, steamed or blanched
- 1 ½ cups (150 g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 cups (400 g) cooked white or brown rice
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 g) condensed cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent ingredients from adhering during cooking.
- Ingredient Fusion: Combine shredded chicken, cooked rice, and steamed broccoli in a large mixing bowl, creating a robust foundational layer for the casserole.
- Creamy Transformation: Incorporate condensed chicken soup and milk, stirring thoroughly to develop a rich, velvety consistency that binds the ingredients together.
- Seasoning Elevation: Sprinkle garlic and onion powders throughout the mixture, infusing depth and complexity into the overall flavor profile.
- Cheese Integration: Fold the majority of cheddar cheese into the mixture, reserving a portion for the final golden topping that will provide textural contrast.
- Dish Assembly: Transfer the blended mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even distribution that guarantees uniform cooking and consistent taste.
- Cheese Crowning: Generously scatter the remaining cheese across the surface, creating a golden, crisp layer that will melt into a delectable crust.
- Baking Process: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, bronzed masterpiece with appetizing texture.
- Resting Period: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, permitting flavors to meld and ingredients to stabilize.
- Final Touch: Optional garnish with freshly chopped parsley to introduce a vibrant visual element and subtle herbaceous note before serving.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Texture: Shred chicken while warm to ensure tender, easily separated pieces that blend seamlessly into the casserole’s creamy consistency.
- Prevent Soggy Base: Ensure rice is slightly undercooked before mixing, as it will continue absorbing moisture during baking, maintaining a perfect texture without becoming mushy.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Grate cheese directly before adding to guarantee maximum melting potential and prevent clumping, creating a smooth, even cheese distribution.
- Dietary Adaptation Options: Substitute regular milk with almond or coconut milk for lactose-free version; use cauliflower rice for low-carb alternative; replace chicken with tofu for vegetarian adaptation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg