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Creamy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Easy Recipe with Golden Cheese Crust

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A quick and easy creamy chicken broccoli rice casserole with a golden, bubbly cheese crust that is perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 2 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces (frozen can be used but fresh is better)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked (jasmine or basmati recommended; brown rice or cauliflower rice for gluten-free)
  • 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup whole milk or 2% milk (dairy-free alternatives like oat or almond milk can be used)
  • ½ cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (reserve ½ cup for crust)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (gluten-free flour can substitute)
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or cayenne pepper for smoky warmth

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups chicken broth to a boil. Add 1 cup uncooked rice, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
  3. While rice cooks, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour over onion-garlic mixture and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook out raw flour taste. Slowly whisk in 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup milk, stirring constantly until sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in softened cream cheese until smooth.
  5. In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, shredded chicken, chopped broccoli, and creamy sauce. Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and optional smoked paprika or cayenne pepper.
  6. Pour mixture evenly into prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese crust is bubbly and golden brown. Watch closely during last 5 minutes to prevent burning.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook rice as it will cook further in the oven. Use fresh broccoli for best texture; if using frozen, thaw and drain well. Let cream cheese soften at room temperature for smooth sauce. Watch oven closely to avoid burning cheese crust. For a crispier crust, tent with foil if browning too fast. Variations include swapping rice for cauliflower rice for low-carb, or omitting chicken for vegetarian option.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken casserole, broccoli casserole, creamy casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, cheesy casserole, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/creamy-chicken-broccoli-rice-casserole-easy-recipe-with-golden-cheese-crust/