Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
There’s something incredibly soothing of a casserole, specially one that’s full of cheesy goodness, tender chicken, and healthy broccoli. The Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is just a family-favorite dish that’s perfect for the comfortable supper, meal prepping, if not taking to potlucks. It’s a one-pan dish that is full of taste and simple to make.
In this step-by-step dish, we’ll get over all you need to make this hearty dinner. We’ll also provide ıdeas, variations, and answers to common concerns to help you result in the best casserole feasible!
Step by step Directions
Action 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your range to 350°F (175°C). You’ll would also like to grease a 9×13-inch casserole meal with butter or non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Cook the Rice
If you haven’t already, prepare your rice relating to package instructions. Since this is a casserole, you desire the rice is slightly undercooked, because it will stay cooking into the range aided by the various other ingredients. This can prevent it from getting mushy.
For the extra increase of taste, consider cooking your rice in chicken broth in the place of water.
Step 3: Prepare the Chicken and Broccoli
When your chicken is certainly not already cooked, period two chicken tits with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then cook in a skillet with olive-oil over medium heat until completely prepared through (about 6-8 minutes per side). Let the chicken sleep, then shred or cube it.
If you’re utilizing fresh broccoli, steam or blanch the florets for approximately 3 minutes. They should be brilliant green and somewhat tender but still firm. If you’re using frozen broccoli, thaw it first.
Step: Sauté the Onions and Garlic
Inside a large skillet or cooking pot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until clear, about 3-4 mins. İnclude the minced garlic and sauté for the next min until fragrant. This step adds level of taste to your casserole.
Step 5: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Inside a huge blending dish, combine the sautéed onions and garlic using the cream of chicken soup, milk, chicken broth, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar mozzarella cheese. Stir everything collectively until well-combined. Include salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to taste. This creamy mixture will bring the casserole together and present it its rich taste.
Action 6: Combine Everything Collectively
Today it’s time to bring the casserole together. In your mixing bowl, fold when you look at the prepared rice, chicken, and broccoli. Stir every little thing until the ingredients are uniformly covered using the creamy sauce.
Step 7: Construct the Casserole
Pour the mixture to your prepared casserole dish, dispersing it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ glass of shredded cheddar cheese within the top. If you want an additional crispy topping, you’ll be able to then add breadcrumbs or crushed crackers blended with butter.
Action 8: Bake the Casserole
Protect the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 mins. After 30 minutes, get rid of the foil and bake for the additional 10-15 minutes, or before the mozzarella cheese on the top is golden and bubbly.
Step 9: Garnish and Provide
Once your cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole is completed cooking, allow it to sleep for 5-10 minutes before serving. This can allow the flavors to settle and work out it more straightforward to scoop aside servings. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for the pop music of color and freshness.
Strategies for ideal Casserole
Use Pre-Cooked Ingredients: For the faster version of this casserole, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and frozen broccoli. This will save your time without having to sacrifice flavor.
Don’t Overcook the Rice: Slightly undercooking the rice means that it won’t switch mushy during cooking. Remember, the rice will continue to absorb dampness through the sauce whilst in the oven.
Include Extra vegetables: Would you like to get this casserole more wholesome? Consider ıncorporating various other vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or peas. Be sure that you blanch or sauté them ınitially so they really do not launch excessively water while baking.
Decide to try Different Cheeses: While cheddar is really a classic option, you can easily combine it up simply by using mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or possibly a mixture of cheeses for a more complicated taste.
Make it Creamier: If you would like an even creamier casserole, you can include a supplementary ½ cup of heavy cream or more cheese to your sauce.
Why You’ll Prefer This Recipe
Kid-Friendly: The cheesy goodness of the casserole makes it a hit with young ones, and it’s packed with hidden vegetables!
İdeal for dinner Prep: This dish is made ahead and kept in the fridge for as much as 3 days. Just reheat individual portions in the microwave oven or oven.
Freezer-Friendly: Cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole freezes beautifully. You may make a two fold batch and frost one for later on. Just put it tightly and keep it in the fridge for approximately 2 months.
One-Pan ponder: This casserole combines necessary protein, veggies, and carbohydrates in a single pan, which makes it a total dinner with just minimal cleaning.
Customizable: Swap out of the chicken for turkey, the rice for quinoa, as well as the broccoli for spinach. The options are limitless!
FAQs
1. Can I make use of brown rice rather than white rice?
Yes! Brown rice adds extra dietary fiber and nutrients to your dish, but remember that it can take longer to cook. Pre-cook your brown rice relating to bundle instructions before ıncluding it into the casserole.
2. What can I substitute for cream of chicken soup?
If you prefer to not ever make use of canned soup, you are able to a homemade version by incorporating 2 tablespoons of butter, 2 tablespoons of flour, 1 cup of chicken broth, and 1 cup of milk. Cook over moderate heat until thickened, and use this in the place of the canned soup.
3. Can I get this to casserole gluten-free?
Positively! to create this casserole gluten-free, use gluten-free ointment of chicken soup and substitute the rice with a gluten-free option like quinoa. Double-check all the other ingredients to ensure they’re gluten-free too.
4. How do I keep and reheat leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for as much as 3 times. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 20 moments, or microwave individual portions for 2-3 moments.
5. Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes! To freeze, build the casserole but don’t bake it. Wrap it tightly in plastic place and aluminum foil and freeze for approximately 2 months. Whenever you’re willing to prepare, thaw it instantaneously within the fridge and bake as directed.
Conclusion
This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a comforting, wholesome, and versatile dish that is perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a audience. With minimal prep and customizable components, it’s certain to become a staple in your dish rotation. Plus, it is a great way to slip some vegetables to your meal while still indulging in cheesy, creamy goodness.
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
There’s something incredibly soothing of a casserole, specially one that’s full of cheesy goodness, tender chicken, and healthy broccoli. The Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is just a family-favorite dish that’s perfect for the comfortable supper, meal prepping, if not taking to potlucks. It’s a one-pan dish that is full of taste and simple to make.
Ingredients
- 2 cups prepared chicken, shredded or diced
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 glass uncooked white or brown rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup cheddar mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 glass ointment of chicken soup (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
- 2 tablespoons butter (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and oil a 9x13-inch cooking meal. - Action 2: Prepare the Casserole Blend
Inside a large blending bowl, combine the prepared chicken, broccoli, uncooked rice, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, milk, garlic dust, onion powder, sodium, pepper, and paprika. Blend until well combined. - Step 3: Transfer to Baking Dish
Pour the mixture to the prepared cooking meal, spreading it evenly.
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese along with the casserole. - Step Four: Bake
Protect the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake within the preheated oven for 25 moments.
After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for the extra 5-10 mins, or before the cheese is melted and bubbly. - Action 5: İnclude Breadcrumbs (Optional)
If making use of breadcrumbs, melt the butter within a normal size bowl and blend with all the breadcrumbs.
Sprinkle the breadcrumb blend uniformly over the casserole and come back to the oven for another five full minutes or through to the breadcrumbs are golden-brown. - Step 6: Provide
Get rid of from the oven and allow it cool off for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Go ahead and substitute the broccoli with other veggies such as for instance cauliflower or combined veggies.
- For a little additional taste, atart exercising . prepared bacon or sautéed onions into the blend.
- This casserole can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking. Just adjust the cooking time if baking from cool.