C Casserole is a comforting, family-friendly dish that’s both hearty and flavorful. The creamy cheese, tender chicken, and vibrant broccoli, all combined with rice, make this casserole a perfect one-pan meal for busy nights. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
2 cups cooked white or brown rice (you can use leftover rice)
1 lb broccoli florets (steamed or blanched)
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom for a vegetarian option)
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
½ cup milk (or chicken broth)
1 small onion (finely chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika (optional, for flavor and color)
1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole dish.
2. Sauté the Onion and Garlic:
Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Prepare the Casserole Mixture:
In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk (or chicken broth), garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
Add the cooked chicken, cooked rice, steamed broccoli, sautéed onions, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl. Stir everything together until well combined.
4. Assemble the Casserole:
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top for a cheesy, golden finish.
5. Bake:
Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden.
6. Serve:
Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving. This will help it set and make it easier to slice.
Tips:
Add more veggies: You can sneak in other vegetables like carrots, peas, or bell peppers to increase the veggie content of the casserole.
Make it creamy: For an extra creamy texture, add an additional ½ cup of sour cream or a bit of cream cheese to the mixture.
Use rotisserie chicken: For a quicker option, you can use rotisserie chicken to save time on cooking the chicken.
Make ahead: This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge. When ready to bake, just pop it in the oven—bake as usual, adding 5-10 minutes to the cooking time if it’s cold from the fridge.
Broccoli, Rice, Cheese, and Chicken
