Chicken Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole

Submitted by LifeAfter40

"3/18/13. I've updated this recipe to include alternate choices for the canned chicken the original recipe called for. Lately, I've been using store bought rotisserie chicken. I've seen a lot of recipes for broccoli, cheese and rice casseroles. However, this takes it from a side dish to a main meal casserole. It fills up the sink with dirty dishes, but that is the only draw back. You can make umpteen variations to customize the taste to your liking. I will offer substitution possibilities in the instructions."

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 8
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups cooked chicken (bake it yourself, rotisserie or canned)
• 3 cups cooked rice (1 cup uncooked)
• 2 cups frozen chopped broccoli
• 1 (8 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 (8 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 1⁄2 cup chopped onion
• 6 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

directions

1. Drain 2 cans of chicken breast meat (You can substitute home boiled chicken or rotisserie- just chop it small).
2. Boil broccoli till tender; drain.
3. Boil rice. (You can substitute a packet of broccoli cheese rice mix such as Lipton's. Depending on amount of rice you want, might want to make two packets).
4. Melt margarine in large frying pan. Saute onions till glassy. Add both soups and stir well. Add cheese and mix till melted. Remove from heat.
5. Lightly grease a 13 x 9 glass dish.
6. Spread rice evenly over bottom of dish.
7. Spread broccoli over rice layer.
8. Pour 1/3 of cheese sauce over the broccoli and rice and spread evenly.
9. Spread chicken on top of cheese sauce and top with remaining sauce.
10. If desired, sprinkle more shredded cheese on top.
11. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Reviews

[sheenafolsom]

I did not precook anything accept the cheese sauce. I added a half cup cream cheese to cheese sauce. I put uncooked rice, uncooked brocolli, uncooked chicken, and uncooked onions in a baking dish. Mixed it all together and covered with aluminum foil for about 40 min then topped with crushed saltines and sharp cheddar cheese. Im pretty experienced in cooking so do not cook rice first it will turn to mush. Do what i did and ull be very happy

 

[Ben Franklin]

My family LOVED this dish! I made the recipe as written. In more detail, I used one Costco rotisserie chicken, one 24 ounce can of cream of chicken soup and added about 1/2 a can of milk to the soup/onion/cheese mixture. You do not need to add any salt if using a regular (not low sodium) soup. Like others have said, make sure to use fresh broccoli, cook in boiling water for about 2 min then blanch by straining then immediately pouring into ice water. The pop of bright green really makes the dish! Finish by sprinkling sharp cheddar cheese on top, cover with foil for 20 min, then for the last 15 min turn the heat up to 415 degrees (that will brown the cheese) and cook. I will make again!

 

[jswinks]

This turned out really great. I did half a recipe in an 8x8 pan and only used the cream of chicken soup. I also added a slice of american cheese in with the cheddar, and used cubed cooked chicken breast as well as fresh broccoli (only partially cook the broccoli to avoid it getting soggy). My husband liked it and he doesn't usually like "creamy" things. Great comfort food!

 

[Trisi W.]

Beyond delicious!!!! This gal knows her stuff!!! It was tha bomb!!!!!! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your amazing recipe!!! I will most definitely make this again, and again!

 

[btt89]

I didn't add any onions as my husband doesn't like them. First time I made this pretty much as written. After several times, I use what I have on hand. It's a very forgiving recipe. I've used cream of celery w/cream of mushroom or cream of chicken. I've used microwave cups of multi-grain and/or brown rice when crunched with time. My family of picky eaters devour it up every time. I will have to try the crackers on top w/cheese (I have some Ritz in the pantry). Thanks for a busy parents' recipe!