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Quick Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole

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A quick and easy cheesy broccoli chicken rice casserole that combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and melty cheese for a comforting homemade dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 2 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces (frozen works but fresh tastes best)
  • 1 ½ cups cooked long grain white rice (leftover rice is perfect)
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup whole milk (can substitute almond or oat milk for dairy-free)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup finely chopped onion (about half a small onion)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or Italian seasoning)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
  2. If you don’t have leftover rice, cook ¾ cup uncooked long grain white rice with 1 ½ cups water until fluffy (about 15 minutes). Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Steam or blanch the 2 cups fresh broccoli florets for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Drain and set aside. If using frozen, thaw and drain excess water.
  4. In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Add ¼ cup finely chopped onion and 2 cloves minced garlic; sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3 minutes.
  5. Stir in 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
  6. Slowly whisk in 1 cup whole milk and continue whisking until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 4 ounces softened cream cheese until smooth.
  7. Mix in ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon dried thyme. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, shredded chicken, steamed broccoli, and sauce. Stir gently to coat everything evenly.
  9. Fold in 1 cup sharp cheddar and ½ cup mozzarella cheese, reserving a little for topping.
  10. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
  11. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the casserole bubbles around the edges and the cheese turns golden brown.
  12. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to set and allow flavors to meld.

Notes

If the top browns too fast, loosely cover with foil halfway through baking. Warm cold chicken slightly before mixing to keep casserole warm. For gluten-free, replace flour with cornstarch slurry. For dairy-free, use dairy-free cream cheese, almond milk, and vegan cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy casserole, broccoli chicken casserole, quick dinner, easy casserole, comfort food, chicken rice casserole

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