Broccoli, Rice, Cheese, and Chicken Casserole

         These four ingredients were made for each other! The flavors of each one combine perfectly with the next one. This is a meal you likely already have the ingredients for. If you have leftover chicken from a night or two before, you can use that. You could pick up a rotisserie chicken on the way home. This casserole is almost the perfect weeknight meal! It goes together quickly, it is very easy to make and it is a complete meal in itself.

            For some reason, I truly believe that this was originally an accident when it was first made. This is one happy accident. The clean up is super easy also. This casserole can be put together in the baking dish, you do not need a mixing bowl.

            This casserole is super tasty, super easy and even healthy. You could use brown rice to make it healthier. The family will come running when they realize this is what you made for dinner. 

Although this is not listed in the recipe, you could mix bread crumbs with some melted butter and sprinkle it on the top of the casserole. This will add an extra yummy crunch to the dish.

Frequently Asked Questions:

            Can I use instant rice?

Not for this meal. I suggest that you use long grain rice for this dish. When you use the quick cooking rice, it tends to become very soggy rice and turns into mush.

            Can I use Brown rice?

You could. Just know that brown rice and also wild rice will take longer to cook and needs more liquid to cook properly. I would believe that either of those taste wonderful.

            Should I use fresh or frozen broccoli?

Either one will work great! If you want to use the frozen, let it thaw first and then pat it dry.

            Can I make this ahead?

This casserole is one that can be prepared ahead of time, and refrigerated before baking. You can keep it for 2 days in the refrigerator as long as it is covered tightly.

            Can I freeze this dish?

This will be good as long as it is wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil or placed into an airtight container. The dish will last for 3 months.

What do you need to make Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice

            2 cups water

            2 cups uncooked rice

            1 -10 ounce can of cream of chicken soup

            1-10 ounce can of cream of mushroom soup

            2 cups of cooked chicken, shredded

            ¼ cup butter

            1 cup of milk

            1 small white onion

            16 ounces broccoli pieces

            2 cups Cheddar Cheese, shredded

How to make Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice

FIRST STEP:

Preheat the oven to 350*

Cook the rice according to directions

SECOND STEP:

In a 9×13 baking pan, put the rice and the chicken in, add in the soups, butter, broccoli and onion. Stir together with 1 cup of the cheese

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Combine well

THIRD STEP:

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes

During the last few minutes, sprinkle the rest of the cheese on the top and allow it to melt.

Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes.

FOURTH STEP:

Serve with a dinner salad or breadsticks.

Serve hot and enjoy!

YUM!