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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 18 reviews

This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a comforting, creamy, and cheesy dish that combines tender chicken thighs, vibrant broccoli florets, and fluffy white rice. Infused with a flavorful blend of garlic, spices, and a rich cheese sauce made from cream of chicken soup, heavy cream, Boursin, cheddar cheese, and sour cream, it’s a hearty meal perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken & Seasoning

  • 5–6 chicken thighs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp Bayou City All Purpose seasoning (divided)
  • 1 tbsp Bayou City garlic pepper
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Vegetables & Rice

  • 4 cups broccoli florets (cooked)
  • 4 cups white rice (cooked)

Cheese & Dairy

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1/4 cup chicken stock
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken with herbs
  • 1 (10.5 oz) heavy cream (use cream of chicken can to measure)
  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese (mild or medium, shredded, divided)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup Boursin cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
  2. Melt butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to start cooking the chicken.
  3. Season chicken: Coat the chicken thighs with olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the Bayou City All Purpose seasoning for balanced flavor.
  4. Cook chicken: Place the seasoned chicken in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until thoroughly cooked and nicely browned.
  5. Shred chicken: Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it cool briefly, then shred or chop into bite-sized pieces; set aside.
  6. Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook over medium heat until fragrant, around 2 minutes.
  7. Deglaze pan: Pour in the chicken stock to deglaze the skillet, scraping up the flavorful browned bits; let the liquid reduce for about 4 minutes.
  8. Add creamy base: Stir in the cream of chicken soup with herbs, then add heavy cream measured from the same can and combine thoroughly.
  9. Melt cheeses: Add Boursin cheese and half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and sauce is smooth; adjust cheese for thicker sauce if desired.
  10. Mix in sour cream: Stir in sour cream until fully incorporated to enhance creaminess.
  11. Combine base ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix cooked rice, cooked broccoli, and shredded chicken evenly.
  12. Coat with sauce: Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the rice mixture, stirring gently to fully coat the ingredients; season with remaining Bayou City seasoning, garlic pepper, onion powder, cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste.
  13. Assemble casserole: Transfer the rice mixture into a large casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
  14. Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
  15. Bake covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to meld flavors and heat through.
  16. Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
  17. Rest and serve: Take the casserole out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving hot.
  18. Optional garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and a dash of paprika on top for a fresh, colorful finish.

Notes

  • Ensure the broccoli is cooked but still firm to avoid mushy texture in the casserole.
  • Use freshly cooked rice for best texture; leftover rice can be too dry.
  • Adjust cayenne and seasonings according to your preferred spice level.
  • If heavy cream is unavailable, whole milk with a tablespoon of butter can be substituted but will be less rich.
  • To make this recipe gluten-free, verify that the cream of chicken soup and all seasonings are gluten-free certified.
  • This casserole can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated before baking to save time on serving day.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken casserole, broccoli rice casserole, comfort food, cheesy chicken bake, creamy casserole, family dinner recipe

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/chicken-broccoli-rice-casserole-recipe/