Chicken broccoli and rice casserole plus#

More broccoli, brown rice instead of white, plus the luscious homemade cheese sauce that brings everything together has less cheese, light sour cream, and skim milk. I also tweaked a few of the ingredients from the standard Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli-Rice Casserole to make it a bit healthier. It’s kind of an “un-casserole” as you don’t have to let the dish bake in the oven, rather, everything is made right on the stovetop then tossed together in a casserole dish and quickly broiled. Sauteed chicken, steamed broccoli, and fluffy brown rice are mixed with a homemade cheese sauce then quickly broiled for a fabulous, comforting meal. If you want to use frozen broccoli, let it defrost for 20-30 minutes before adding to the pot.Today I’m sharing a fabulous spin on a classic, comforting casserole – Healthy Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli-Rice Casserole!.Also, when you put the meat on the pan, don’t touch it until you are ready to flip it.

When browning the meat, I like to do it in two batches, so it doesn’t release its juices and gets a beautiful golden color.For this recipe, I like to use a pan with a heavy bottom (like this casserole), so nothing gets burned and you can put it safely in the oven.Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top and transfer the pan to the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Then add 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar and fold it in. When the rice is cooked, add milk and stir. Cover with the lid again and cook until the rice is fully cooked, stirring occasionally. (Photos 6-9)Īfter 10 minutes, add chopped broccoli and stir. Then lower the heat to low and cover with the lid. Now we can add rinsed rice, chicken stock, and water. Add minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds to release the aroma. When the chicken is browned, transfer it to a plate and set aside.Īdd chopped onion and cook it for about 5 minutes, until it gets soft and translucent. Make sure you don’t overcrowd the pan, as it will start to boil instead of browning. NOTE: If you have a lot of chicken, you can brown it in two batches. We just want some brown crust for additional flavor. NOTE: At this point, we don’t need to cook the meat through, as it will finish cooking later. When the oil is hot, add the cubed chicken and brown it on all sides for about 5-7 minutes. Preheat the pan to medium/high heat and add olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and mix it up. We can start with cutting the chicken breasts into 1×1-inch cubes.

This is a great meal for when you crave something comforting but want to stay on the healthier side. The cooking time should take not more than 40 minutes from start to finish. Everything is made in one pot! No need to spend the rest of the evening washing multiple pots and pans! Well, there are so many reasons why you will want to keep this recipe on your weekly rotation. Like my Healthy Chicken Dinner Ideas recipes for Chicken Broccoli Ziti and One Pot Chicken and Rice, you can make this meal with minimum effort.Īnd if you like comfort One Pot Meals, check out my Easy Chicken Stew Recipe, Dutch Oven Short Ribs, Dutch Oven Beef Stew, Cheesy Baked Ziti, Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe, and Classic Chili Recipe. What can be better than making the whole dinner in one pot! This Chicken and Rice casserole, loaded with broccoli and sharp cheddar cheese is a perfect comfort meal that’s so easy to make even if you are a beginner cook. Make this delicious cheesy chicken and rice casserole loaded with broccoli and cheddar cheese! This dinner recipe is so creamy and comforting and everything is made in one pot!