Chicken Casserole
A comforting and creamy chicken casserole loaded with tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and fluffy rice, perfect for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 cups brown Minute Rice Easy cooking, substitute with gluten-free rice if needed.
- 5 cups chopped broccoli florets Any green veggie can be swapped.
- 0.5 medium yellow onion, finely diced Use shallots for a milder taste.
- 2 medium carrots, finely diced Substitute with bell peppers for variation.
- 1.5 cups frozen green peas Fresh peas can be used as well.
- Nonstick cooking spray Use any cooking oil spray.
- 2 cups chicken broth Homemade or low-sodium varieties are great options.
- 1.5 cups 2% milk Substitute with almond or oat milk for dairy-free version.
- 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, divided Use mozzarella or Monterey Jack as alternatives.
- 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder Fresh garlic can be substituted for stronger flavor.
- 0.125 teaspoon salt Adjust to taste.
- 0.125 teaspoon ground pepper Substitute with cayenne for extra heat.
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast Leftover cooked chicken works well.
- 1 ounce shredded parmesan cheese Omit if avoiding dairy.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and hot.
- In a large bowl, combine the rice and chicken broth. Stir well and set aside.
- Chop the vegetables: finely dice onion, carrots, and broccoli. Aim for bite-sized pieces.
- Shred or chop the cooked chicken into small pieces.
- Spray a large casserole dish with nonstick spray.
Cooking/Assembling
- In a separate bowl, mix the chicken, vegetables, shredded cheese, and seasonings.
- Add the rice and broth mixture into the veggie and chicken bowl, stirring until coated.
- Pour the mixture into your prepared casserole dish, smoothing out the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes, or until hot and bubbly with a slight golden touch on top.
- Cover with foil halfway through baking if it gets too brown.
Serving
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to settle the flavors.
- Scoop out portions onto plates.
- Sprinkle with additional cheese or fresh herbs if desired.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Feel free to customize vegetables and flavors. This casserole is meal-prep friendly and offers easy swaps for gluten-free and dairy-free diets.