Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole Delight

Ingredients

- 1 pound chicken breast, cubed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 cup Ritz cracker crumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Season and Cook Chicken
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Season the cubed chicken breast with salt and black pepper. Sauté the chicken until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

3. Cook Aromatics
In the same skillet, add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

4. Prepare Rice Mixture
Stir in the uncooked rice and cook for 1-2 minutes to lightly toast. Add the cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, paprika, and dry mustard. Stir until well mixed.

5. Assemble Casserole
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, sautéed onions and garlic, rice mixture, broccoli florets, and 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly to distribute all ingredients evenly.

6. Bake
Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

7. Prepare Topping
In a small bowl, combine the Ritz cracker crumbs and melted butter. Mix until the cracker crumbs are evenly coated.

8. Add Topping & Cheese
After baking for 30 minutes, remove the foil from the casserole. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Then, sprinkle the cracker crumb mixture over the cheese.

9. Final Bake
Return the casserole to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until the topping is golden and the cheese is bubbling.

10. Serve
Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set. Enjoy your delicious, hearty meal!

Preparation & Cooking Times

Preparation Time:
PT15M
15 minutes

Cooking Time:
PT45M
45 minutes

Total Time

PT60M
60 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Chicken casserole, broccoli casserole, cheesy casserole, dinner recipes, oven-baked chicken, easy dinner, comfort food, family meal, creamy casserole, chicken and rice

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total Calories: 2,400

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