Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole - From-Scratch!

cream of chicken soup

🥗Healthier: homemade chicken broth

💰Cheaper: cream of mushroom soup

Cream of mushroom soup can provide a similar texture and flavor.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: low-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Processed cheese can be less expensive and melt well.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Vegetable oil is often cheaper and has a neutral flavor.

bread crumbs

🥗Healthier: panko

💰Cheaper: crushed crackers

Crushed crackers can provide a similar crunch at a lower cost.

Steam the broccoli until bright and tender, then dice into tiny pieces.

Season the chicken with a seasoning mixture and toss to coat.

Heat oil in a skillet and add the seasoned chicken, cooking until juicy and not overcooked.

Add the cooked chicken to a bowl with the diced broccoli.

Cook Basmati rice in boiling water with spices, cover and simmer for 10 minutes, then let sit off heat for another 10 minutes.

Combine the cooked rice with the chicken and broccoli in the bowl and mix well.

In a skillet, melt butter and add diced celery and onion, cooking until tender.

Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.

Add more butter and then flour, cooking until golden and bubbly to eliminate raw flour taste.

Slowly add chicken broth while whisking to break up lumps, then add more seasonings as desired.

Stir in whole milk and let simmer until the sauce thickens.

Add sharp cheddar cheese to the sauce and stir until melted, tasting to adjust seasonings as needed.

Combine the cheese sauce with the chicken, broccoli, and rice mixture in the bowl.

Layer half of the mixture into a baking dish, add a layer of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, then top with the remaining mixture and more cheese.

Place the baking dish on a baking pan and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, then broil for the last 2 minutes until cheese is golden.

Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens