I call this cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole a one-pot-wonder! It’s hearty, delicious, easy and a crowd pleaser! What more do we want!
I have always been attracted towards the rice casseroles and was very keen to make my version of chicken broccoli rice casserole, but something or the other always pushed it down the priority list!
Finally, after the overload of broccoli, thanks to our recent trip to Ooty, I was determined to make this cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole as soon as I got back home! Yes, it did finally happen and I am now more awed than before after tasting it myself and am convinced why casserole dishes are so popular worldwide!
My cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole became an instant family favorite with even my somewhat choosy father-in-law getting hooked to it which was a real surprise. Casseroles are quite different from typical Indian dishes and are generally loaded with lots of cheese.
That’s the very reason that my hub was being the constant obstacle between me and my desirable cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole! I love cheese and he doesn’t!
Melting cheese is not a regular ingredient in Indian cooking which is why I wasn’t sure how it would be accepted in the family. But this rockstar chicken broccoli rice casserole did surprise me and became the show-stopper on our weekend lunch!
This cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole is, I feel, the simplest of all casseroles which I chose simply because I wanted to start from the basic. It’s very simple to put together and you can add more layers to it to create different versions.
For example, you can add some sliced button mushrooms which will add more depth of flavor. You can even add more colorful veggies like carrots or green peas to amp up your chicken broccoli rice casserole with nutrients and your picky kids will not even notice them.
They will just be happy with the melting cheese and succulent chicken cubes and you will be happy seeing them devouring your chicken broccoli rice casserole with much glee!
This cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole is not only a kid friendly dish, it’s even great to feed a crowd. If you are thinking of hosting a weekend brunch soon, then I urge you to give this casserole dish a try.
You can even prep this chicken broccoli rice casserole ahead by completing everything except the baking step. Just before you are ready to serve, sprinkle the cheese and pop it into the oven for about 30 minutes and get ready to hear your guests cheering for your amazing culinary skills!
Trust me, they will love you for this deliciousness! Yes, you are welcome! The combination of chicken and broccoli is a match made in heaven. It is incredibly delicious in this cheesy casserole and equally scrumptious in the saucy chicken and broccoli stir-fry.
You can take your pick, but for me both are winners! Picking either of the one would be equivalent to choosing between your own children which is simply next to impossible!
The stir fry has crunchy goodness whereas the chicken broccoli rice casserole has the gooey melting moments both tasting just out of the world! If you too have the overload of broccoli like us, make both the dishes back to back – this cheesy goodness called chicken broccoli rice casserole and also the flavorful chicken & broccoli stir-fry.
But, don’t forget to let me know which one turned out to be your family favorite! Wait, are you also a seafood lover? Then do check out my shrimp & broccoli stir fry too for worthy use of those fresh broccolis you got from farmers’ market and get more confused to choose the best of the lot!
Veg lovers, do not worry! I have my super popular easy cheesy broccoli pasta bake for you which is nowhere lower in flavors than its meaty counterparts, which I as well as all those lovely readers of mine who showed immense love towards it, can vouch for!
- Chicken breast – 2, boneless and skinless, cut into small cubes
- Broccoli – 2 small heads, cut into small florets (about 2 cups of florets)
- Olive oil – 2 tbsp
- Onion – 1, large, chopped
- Garlic – 6 to 8 cloves, minced
- Uncooked white rice – 1 cup, washed & drained
- Chicken stock – 2 cups
- Heavy cream – 1 cup
- Shredded cheddar cheese – 1 cup
- Breadcrumbs – ¼ cup
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet. Once the oil is hot, add chopped onion and saute until translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes on medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and keep sautéing for couple of minutes more. Add some salt and pepper and give a good stir.
- Next add the chicken cubes and fry them until they develop some color and are completely opaque. This would take about 6 to 8 minutes on medium flame.
- Now add the drained rice and sauté for a minute or two. Then add the chicken stock and heavy cream. Mix everything well with a light hand.
- Once the liquid comes to a boil, simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, more than half of the liquid should have been absorbed. Then add the broccoli florets and combine everything.
- Preheat your oven to 200 C / 400 F and set the wire rack at center of the oven.
- Transfer the chicken, broccoli & rice mixture to an oven-proof baking dish and distribute evenly.
- Now sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese uniformly on top. Finally sprinkle the breadcrumbs and season lightly with salt & pepper.
- Bake the rice in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted. Serve hot!
This will be a keeper, easy, nutritious, and hearty. I think that I used chopped, frozen broccoli and just added it in before going into the oven. Breadcrumbs are a nice touch. Great recipe 🙂
Can Glass containers be used at OTG? Will not it break?
Nope! These glass bakewares are specially made for ovens. They are very thick compared to regular glasswares. Glass bakewares retain heat better than the metal ones and doesn’t react to acidic items.