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    Home » Recipes

    Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice Casserole

    Published: Apr 12, 2012 · Updated: Jul 18, 2024 · Post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Warm comfort food that can be made ahead and frozen for future dinner.

    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°F oven for 25-35 minutes or until warmed through. Remove the foil and broil for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

    You can also make this ahead by preparing the casserole all the way until topping with cheese. After transferring the mixture into a baking dish, cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Take out of refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat the 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 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    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
    • 1 lb chicken breast cut into small pieces
    • ⅜ teaspoon salt divided
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper divided
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 1 cup 2% milk
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
    • 1½ cups sharp cheddar cheese divided

    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 ⅛ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper. Cook chicken until done, about 5-7 minutes. And remove from the skillet.
    • In a small bowl, whisk together 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.

    Nutrition Facts
    Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice Casserole
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    375
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    15
    g
    23
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    7
    g
    44
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    80
    mg
    27
    %
    Sodium
     
    459
    mg
    20
    %
    Potassium
     
    597
    mg
    17
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    31
    g
    10
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    3
    g
    3
    %
    Protein
     
    29
    g
    58
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    696
    IU
    14
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    42
    mg
    51
    %
    Calcium
     
    292
    mg
    29
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    Comments

    1. Louise

      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

        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

      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

        April 16, 2012 at 5:56 pm

        the weather can be so flaky!

        Reply
    3. Louise McC

      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

        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

      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

        May 10, 2013 at 1:13 pm

        Yes! Absolutely

        Reply

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    Meme holding Watson at a restaurant in san diego.

    Hi, I'm Meme!

    A thirty-something registered dietitian nutritionist here to help you enjoy food, make eating easier, and live free of diets & shame.

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