Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole (Printable Version)
Hearty casserole combining chicken, broccoli, rice, and cheddar in a creamy sauce with crispy breadcrumb topping.
# What You Need:
→ 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 whole milk
→ Vegetables
05 - 3 cups fresh broccoli florets or frozen, thawed and drained
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 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 chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked chicken, broccoli florets, cooked rice, sautéed onion and garlic, 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, condensed soup, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
04 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
05 - Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
06 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Mix until breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
07 - Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the cheese layer. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until hot and bubbly throughout and the topping is golden brown.
08 - Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Its the ultimate comfort food that somehow feels special enough for company but easy enough for weeknights
- Everything cooks in one dish and the leftovers somehow taste even better the next day
02 -
- Squeeze every bit of moisture out of thawed frozen broccoli or your casserole will end up watery
- The topping can burn quickly so check at 30 minutes and tent with foil if needed
03 -
- Grate your own cheese from blocks instead of buying pre shredded for the smoothest melting texture
- Use brown rice for a nutty flavor and extra fiber, just make sure its fully cooked before adding