Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole
In short: Chicken, broccoli and rice baked in a creamy cheddar sauce made from scratch, with no canned soup. A make-ahead family casserole. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 440 kcal
This is the family casserole many people remember: rice, chicken and broccoli in a cheesy sauce under a browned top. The sauce is made from scratch in five minutes with milk, stock and cheddar, so there is no canned soup. The rice cooks right in the dish, so you wash only one baking dish and a saucepan. Assemble it in the morning and bake after work for an easy dinner.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 inch) baking dish.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion for 4 minutes until soft, then add the garlic for 30 seconds.
- Whisk the cornstarch into 100 ml (about 7 tablespoons) of the cold milk until smooth. Add the remaining milk and the stock to the saucepan, then stir in the cornstarch mixture.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened. Take off the heat and stir in two-thirds of the cheese, the mustard, salt and pepper until smooth.
- Spread the rice, chicken and broccoli in the baking dish. Pour the hot sauce over and stir gently so the rice is submerged.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
- Uncover, stir, sprinkle with the remaining cheese and the paprika and bake for 10 to 15 minutes more, until the rice is tender, the chicken reads 74°C (165°F) and the top is golden. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Use sharp cheddar for the most flavor, and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in starch and melts less smoothly.
- To make it ahead, cool the sauce before assembling, then refrigerate the covered dish for up to 12 hours. Add 10 minutes to the covered baking time.
Questions and answers
Can I use brown rice in this casserole?
Yes, but it needs more liquid and time. Add 250 ml (1 cup) extra stock and bake covered for 60 minutes before uncovering.
Can I freeze chicken broccoli rice casserole?
Yes. Cool it fully, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat covered at 180°C (350°F) until hot throughout.
Why is my rice still hard?
The dish may not have been covered tightly, or the liquid fell short. Cover with foil, make sure the rice is submerged and add a splash of hot stock if it looks dry.
How long does it take to make Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole?
About 440 kcal per serving, with 33 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 440 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 730 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
