Here’s a delicious and comforting recipe for Savory Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole! It’s the perfect combination of tender chicken, broccoli, and rice all baked together in a creamy, cheesy casserole.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom soup)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 1 cup chicken broth (or water)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp paprika (optional for extra flavor)
- 2 tbsp butter (for greasing the pan)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the Broccoli:
- If using fresh broccoli, steam or blanch the broccoli florets for about 2-3 minutes until tender but still crisp. Drain well. If using frozen broccoli, just thaw and drain.
3. Cook the Rice:
- In a medium pot, cook the rice according to the package directions, using the chicken broth instead of water for added flavor. Alternatively, you can use leftover rice if you have it.
4. Prepare the Casserole Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, cooked rice, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Mix everything together until well combined.
5. Assemble the Casserole:
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
- Pour the chicken, rice, and broccoli mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
6. Add Topping:
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
7. Bake:
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
8. Serve:
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with extra chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color if desired.
Tips:
- You can add other vegetables like carrots, peas, or corn to the casserole for more variety.
- If you prefer a crunchier topping, you can mix breadcrumbs with a little melted butter and sprinkle it over the cheese before baking.
- For an even creamier texture, you can stir in some shredded mozzarella cheese along with the cheddar.
This Savory Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is comforting, creamy, and packed with flavor—a complete meal in one dish! Enjoy! 🍽️🥦🍗
