Comforting casserole with chicken, rice, broccoli, and cheddar, baked until golden and bubbly.
# What you'll need:
→ Main Components
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
02 - 2 cups cooked rice, white or brown
03 - 2 cups broccoli florets, fresh blanched or frozen thawed and dried
04 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
05 - 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
06 - 1/2 cup milk
→ Seasoning
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - Salt to taste
10 - Black pepper to taste
→ Topping
11 - Optional: 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
02 - If using fresh broccoli florets, blanch in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes. Drain well. For frozen broccoli, thaw and pat dry.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, blend cooked chicken, rice, broccoli, 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, milk, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until uniformly combined.
04 - Transfer mixture into the prepared baking dish and distribute evenly. Top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese, and optionally sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
05 - Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until hot, bubbly, and cheese is melted with a golden finish.
06 - Allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before portioning to allow set-up and optimal serving texture.
