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    Recipes » Special Diet » Egg Free

    cheesy chicken, broccoli, and rice casserole

    Published: Apr 12, 2012 · Updated: Jul 9, 2017 · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Warm comfort food that can be made-ahead and frozen for future cold nights

    The weather has been so nice outside. I'd even go as far as to say it has been a little chilly at times {haha I'm a cold weather wimp}.

    This "chilly" weather has me craving casseroles again, but I promise I'll try not to post any more since it is Spring and all.

    So here's my last one for a while... Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli & Rice Casserole - or "comfort food at its best"

    This recipe can easily be halved or doubled depending on how many people you are interested in feeding.

    I made the recipe to serve 4, and split the casserole into two smaller dishes. I cooked one immediately and ate one serving for dinner & the other for lunch the next day.

    I allowed the other casserole to cool completely, covered it tightly with plastic wrap, and covered it with foil. If I lived in a perfect world, I would have taken the casserole out of the freezer in the morning and put it in the refrigerator to defrost. However, I am forgetful and didn't take it out until about 30 minutes before I was ready to bake. If this happens, just sit it on the counter for a little and then preheat the oven. You don't want to put a frozen or cold casserole dish in the hot oven. It will cause your casserole dish to break, and that's just straight up no fun.

    20120412-192927.jpg

    Once the casserole has defrosted, remove the plastic wrap (and throw it away) & re-cover with the foil. Bake it covered in a 350° oven for 25-35 minutes or until warmed through. Remove the foil and broil for 5 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

    You can also make this ahead by preparing the casserole all the way until topping with cheese. After transferring mixture into baking dish, cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Take out of refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°F. Top casserole with remaining ½cup cheese, and bake for 10 minutes. Broil for 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly & browned.

    Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice Casserole

    Warm comfort food that can be made-ahead and frozen for future cold nights
    No ratings yet
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Meme

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup uncooked brown rice regular or instant
    • 3 cups broccoli florets can be fresh or frozen, chopped
    • ¼ cup green onion
    • 2 teaspoon olive oil or avocado oil
    • ½ lb chicken breast cut into small pieces
    • ½ teaspoon salt divided
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper divided
    • 2 tablespoon flour or 1 tablespoon cornstarch for gluten-free
    • 1 cup 2% milk
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
    • 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese

    Instructions

    • Cook rice according to package directions, omitting salt & fat. In the last 10 minutes of cooking, stir in broccoli and green onion. {If you use instant rice, just cook rice, broccoli, and green onion together.} Set aside.
    • Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper. Cook chicken until done, about 5-7 minutes.
    • In a small bowl, whisk together flour {or cornstarch} and ½ cup cold milk. Reduce heat to medium, and slowly whisk flour-milk mixture into skillet. Season with remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Slowly whisk in remaining ½ cup milk until the mixture boils. Stir constantly for 2 minutes while boiling. Remove from heat and stir in yogurt and 1 cup cheese. Once combined, stir in cooked chicken.
    • Combine chicken-cheese mixture with rice-broccoli mixture, and transfer to a 8-inch square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray or two smaller baking dishes. Top the mixture with remaining ½ cup cheese.
    • Broil until cheese is bubbly and browned. Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo

     

    *See notes above for make-ahead directions and freezing.

    I'll be back tomorrow with a food holiday recipe, so get excited!

    Meme 

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    Comments

    1. Louise says

      April 12, 2012 at 11:21 pm

      Meme I was craving this earlier this week! I found another recipe but yours looks better 🙂

      Reply
      • memeinge says

        April 13, 2012 at 2:39 pm

        Thanks! You should make it because it is so easy and you don't have to use the scary can of cream of chicken soup haha

        Reply
    2. trixfred30 says

      April 15, 2012 at 11:37 am

      Its been interesting weather here too. Kind of sunny and bright which makes you think Spring is really here and then you go outside and get hit by sharp cold winds and its more like Autumn!?

      Reply
      • memeinge says

        April 16, 2012 at 5:56 pm

        the weather can be so flaky!

        Reply
    3. Louise McC says

      April 17, 2012 at 6:32 pm

      Meems...I'm making this for dinner tonight and I'm excited! I see your posts on twitter but I just signed up for email updates too....love your recipes and kitchen/life wisdom!

      Reply
      • memeinge says

        April 17, 2012 at 6:50 pm

        Louise, you just made my day! Thanks!! I hope you like the casserole - it's pretty yummy

        Reply
    4. Molly says

      May 08, 2013 at 5:20 am

      I don't have the yogurt do you think I could substitute sour cream instead? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Meme says

        May 10, 2013 at 1:13 pm

        Yes! Absolutely

        Reply

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    Meme (a brunette female) is holding umbrella and spinning around in front of the Eiffel Tower wearing a denim jacket, skirt, and blue shoesHi, I'm Meme -- a thirty-something girl from Alabama living in San Diego! Join me as I prove that living a guilt-free, healthy lifestyle can be budget friendly, delicious & fun!
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