This chicken and broccoli casserole is so cheesy, creamy, warm, and cozy, and is seriously one of my all-time favorite meals to make in the winter. Plus, it tastes even better the next day – that is, if you have any leftovers!
Prep Time: 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 45 minutesminutes
0 minutesminutes
Total Time: 1 hourhour
Servings:6servings
Ingredients
17-ounce box long grain and wild rice, see note
4tablespoonsbutter, divided
2teaspoonsminced garlic
½yellow onion, diced
1 ¼cupwater
1cupchicken broth
1cupshredded cheddar cheese
3cupsbroccoli florets, see note
4cupscooked diced chicken, see note
2cupscorn flakes
homemade cream of chicken soup
6tablespoonsbutter
3tablespoonsflour
½teaspoonsalt, or to taste
¼teaspooncracked black pepper, or to taste
½teaspoongarlic powder
1cupchicken broth
1cupmilk
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in garlic and onions for one minute.
Stir in rice, then add 1 cup chicken broth and the water and bring to a boil.
Reduce to high simmer, cover, and cook for 25 minutes til rice is fully cooked. Meanwhile, prepare the cream of chicken soup and corn flake topping.
Prepare the corn flake topping
Toss corn flakes with 2 tablespoons melted butter and set aside.
Prepare the cream of chicken soup
In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Stir in flour, then whisk in chicken broth and milk.
Stir in salt, pepper, and garlic powder and bring sauce to a boil, stirring til thickened. Remove from heat.
Bake the casserole
Combine rice mixture, chicken, cheese, broccoli, and cream of chicken soup and stir well. Spread evenly in prepared dish.
Sprinkle buttered corn flakes evenly over the top.
Bake, uncovered, for 35 minutes until corn flakes begin to brown. Garnish with chopped parsley and cracked black pepper if desired and serve.
Notes
The rice: I use Zatarain's Long Grain and Wild Rice. The broccoli: For fresh broccoli, add broccoli florets and 1/2 cup water to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 5 minutes or until nearly fork-tender. Drain excess water before adding to casserole. For frozen broccoli, steam in the bag in the microwave as directed on the package. Drain excess water before adding to casserole. The chicken: you can use rotisserie chicken, or slow cooker or Instant Pot shredded chicken, or diced chicken. I love using Tyson grilled and chopped chicken pieces for soups like this to reduce prep time.