Description
This Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, packed with tender chicken, broccoli, and gooey melted cheddar cheese. A one-pot meal that’s easy to make, creamy, and full of flavor, making it the perfect dish for busy weeknights or family dinners!
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into 1×1-inch cubes
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups white long grain rice, rinsed
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 2 cups water
- 3 cups broccoli florets, roughly chopped
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into 1×1-inch cubes and season with salt and pepper.
- Preheat a pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Add the chicken to the pan and brown on all sides for about 5–7 minutes (it doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this stage, just browned for flavor). If necessary, brown the chicken in batches. Remove the browned chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- In the same pan, add chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds to release the aroma.
- Return the browned chicken to the pan. Add the rinsed rice, chicken stock, and water. Mix everything together and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, add the chopped broccoli and stir. Cover and cook until the rice is fully cooked, stirring occasionally.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Once the rice is cooked, add milk and stir. Then, fold in 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the casserole, then transfer the pan to the oven. Bake for 10–15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can season the chicken with Italian seasoning or garlic powder before browning.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- If you prefer more cheese, feel free to add additional shredded cheddar before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Stovetop, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 472 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
