Description
Hearty chicken broccoli rice casserole delivers comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen with creamy cheese and tender protein. Families will savor each comforting bite of this classic one-dish meal that brings warmth and satisfaction to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Grains and Vegetables:
- 1 1/4 cups white long grain rice
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 10.5 ounces (298 grams) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons melted butter for topping
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a casserole dish for the upcoming culinary creation.
- Slice chicken into uniform pieces and generously coat with selected seasonings to enhance flavor profile.
- Melt butter in a skillet and sauté chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, ensuring internal temperature reaches safe levels.
- Simmer rice in flavorful broth for 6 minutes, then introduce broccoli and continue cooking for an additional 9 minutes.
- Remove rice from heat and allow it to rest, covered, for 10 minutes to absorb remaining moisture and develop rich texture.
- In a large mixing bowl, gently fold together cooked chicken, rice with broccoli, cream soup, milk, sour cream, and shredded cheese until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the creamy mixture to the prepared casserole dish, creating an even layer for consistent cooking.
- Sprinkle additional cheese and crushed Ritz crackers over the top to create a crispy, golden-brown crust.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the top is beautifully bronzed and the interior is heated through.
Notes
- Choose skinless chicken breasts for a leaner protein option that keeps the dish light and healthy.
- Swap white rice with brown rice or quinoa to boost nutritional value and add more fiber to the meal.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth and reduced-fat cheese to create a healthier version without sacrificing flavor.
- Customize the vegetable mix by adding carrots, peas, or cauliflower to increase nutrient diversity and make the dish more colorful.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg