Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole

Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole

Looking for a comforting and easy dinner option that the whole family will love? This Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole is packed with flavor, loaded with tender chicken, wholesome broccoli, and creamy cheddar cheese. It’s the perfect one-pot meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious. Plus, it’s simple to prepare, making it an excellent choice for busy weeknights.

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:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by cutting the chicken breasts into 1×1-inch cubes. Season with salt and pepper, and mix well to ensure even seasoning. 🍗✨
2. Brown the Chicken: Preheat a large pan over medium/high heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken cubes and brown them on all sides for about 5-7 minutes. Remember, you don’t need to cook the chicken through at this point, just give it a nice golden sear. Once browned, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. 🍳
3. Cook the Onion and Garlic: In the same pan, add the finely chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes until it’s soft and translucent. Then, add the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds to release its aroma. 🧅🧄
4. Combine Chicken and Rice: Add the browned chicken back to the pan along with the rinsed rice, chicken stock, and water. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and let it simmer. 🍚💧🥣
5. Add the Broccoli: After 10 minutes of cooking, add the chopped broccoli to the pan and stir it into the mixture. Cover the pan again and continue to cook until the rice is fully cooked and the broccoli is tender, stirring occasionally. 🥦🍚
6. Preheat the Oven: While the rice and broccoli are cooking, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). 🔥
7. Finish with Cheese: Once the rice is fully cooked, stir in the milk and fold in 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. 🥛🧀
8. Bake to Perfection: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. 🧀🔥
9. Serve and Enjoy: Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. This dish is best enjoyed hot and fresh, with the gooey cheese and tender chicken making every bite delicious. 🍽️

Recipe Notes:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Calories: 450 Kcal per serving
• Servings: 6 servings

This Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole is a delightful meal that brings together the comforting flavors of chicken, broccoli, and cheddar cheese. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or even as a make-ahead meal. Enjoy this hearty casserole with your family and savor the satisfaction of a homemade dish that’s both delicious and nourishing!

Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole

---

• Author: Dulcia
• Total Time: 45min
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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

1️⃣ Cut the chicken breasts into 1×1-inch cubes. Season with salt and pepper and mix. 🍗✨

2️⃣ Preheat the pan to medium/high heat and add olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the chicken and brown it on all sides for about 5-7 minutes. Note: We don’t need to cook the meat through at this point. 🍳

3️⃣ Transfer the browned chicken to a plate and set aside. 🍽️

4️⃣ Add chopped onion to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds to release the aroma. 🧅🧄

5️⃣ Add the browned chicken back to the pot. 🥘

6️⃣ Add rinsed rice, chicken stock, and water. Mix everything and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to low and cover with the lid. 🍚💧🥣

7️⃣ After 10 minutes, add chopped broccoli and stir. Cover with the lid again and cook until the rice is fully cooked, stirring occasionally. 🥦🍚

8️⃣ Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). 🔥

9️⃣ When the rice is cooked, add milk and stir. Then add 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar and fold it in. 🥛🧀

🔟 Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and transfer the pan to the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. 🧀🔥

• Prep Time: 15min
• Cook Time: 30min

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 Kcal