Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli and Cheese

User Reviews

5.0

9 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    1 hr

  • Cook Time

    mins

  • Additional Time

    10 mins

  • Total Time

    1 hr 45 mins

  • Servings

    10

  • Calories

    684 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    American

Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli and Cheese

This casserole is comfort food at its very best. It takes a little time to prep all the components, but it's so worth the effort. You can also assemble it up to several days in advance. We also provide some shortcuts if you're pressed for time. This is a favorite in our house and we think it will become one in yours, too.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 4 cups chicken cooked, shredded from a rotisserie
  • 4 cups long-grain rice cooked
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter 1½ sticks
  • 4 cup broccoli florets from 1 or 2 broccoli heads
  • cup onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • cup chicken broth
  • cup half and half or whole milk or heavy cream
  • 8 oz fontina cheese grated
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • cooking spray or softened butter
  • 2 cups bread crumbs fresh
  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
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Instructions

Do Ahead

  1. Shred the chicken from the rotisserie, steam the rice, and blanch the broccoli florets in boiling water for 1 minute, and then transfer to an ice bath. Set all of this to the side.

Make the Casserole

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring often.
  3. Add the flour and stir constantly with a wooden spatula for about 2 minutes.
  4. Whisk in the broth and half and half, whisking constantly to remove any lumps. Use a wooden spatula or spoon to stir until thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  5. Stir in the cheese and continue stirring until melted.
  6. Turn off the heat and stir in the thyme, Dijon, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
  7. Stir in the chicken, rice, and broccoli and continue stirring until fully mixed. Spray your baking dish with cooking spray and then transfer the mixture into the dish (it will be very thick).
  8. In a medium-sized bowl, toss the bread crumbs with the 2 tablespoon of melted butter. Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs over the casserole.
  9. Bake the casserole for 30 to 40 minutes, or until bubbly and the breadcrumbs are toasty and lightly browned.
  10. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • See the video near the top of the blog post for visual guidance. If you liked the video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. 
  • subscribe to our YouTube channel
  • Depending on the size of your rotisserie chicken, you may need to pick up two of them. If you have more than four cups of shredded chicken, save it for another use. 
  • You can use any kind of melting cheese such as Gruyere, gouda (not smoked), cheddar (white or yellow), or Colby Jack. We don't recommend using mozzarella.
  • To save time, you can substitute the long-grain rice with minute (or instant) rice and you can use frozen (thawed) broccoli in place of fresh. 
  • The casserole can be assembled up to 3 days in advance. Cover with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge until ready to bake. Add the breadcrumbs just before baking.  It can also be frozen before baking for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw completely before baking. If baking a chilled casserole, add another 10 to 15 minutes, or until bubbly (cover with foil if the topping is browning too much). 
  • Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 to 6 days. Reheat in a 350°F until heat through, or cook on HIGH in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. 

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 684kcal (34%) Carbohydrates 87g (29%) Protein 22g (44%) Fat 26g (40%) Saturated Fat 98g (490%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 99mg (33%) Sodium 942mg (39%) Potassium 411mg (12%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 1096IU (22%) Vitamin C 35mg (39%) Calcium 263mg (26%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 684 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 684kcal 34%
Carbohydrates 87g 29%
Protein 22g 44%
Fat 26g 40%
Saturated Fat 98g 490%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 99mg 33%
Sodium 942mg 39%
Potassium 411mg 9%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 1096IU 22%
Vitamin C 35mg 39%
Calcium 263mg 26%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

5.0

9 reviews
Excellent

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