Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe Without Soup Well Plated By Erin

Crowd-pleasing dishes like chicken broccoli rice casserole (and its cousins, Broccoli Rice Casserole, Broccoli Quinoa Casserole, and Cheesy Corn Quinoa Casserole with Chicken) were a fixture at our table growing up. My mom was the casserole QUEEN. She wore a crown of Pyrex and carried a scepter of nonstick baking spray. Not only could she make a casserole from scratch, but she could transform any (and I mean any) leftover in our home into a creamy, cheesy casserole of sorts. A mix of brown rice, quickly sautéed chicken, and fresh broccoli, this casserole offers every food group in a single meal. There is no soup to be found (cream of, canned, or otherwise). Instead, the smooth, bubbly cheese sauce is made with Greek yogurt and cheddar, just like in this Chicken and Rice Casserole. This casserole recipe is easy to scale up to feed a crowd and to make and freeze ahead (it’s a favorite meal to give to new mothers among our fries). It saves and reheats like a dream, making it an ideal option for healthy lunches and dinners throughout the week.

How to Make Healthy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

This chicken broccoli rice casserole wins the casserole gold star for its easy prep, ability to be reheated, homey flavor, and undeniably addictive cheesy goodness. It’s filling and comforting while boasting a wholesome ingredients list.

The Ingredients

Instant Brown Rice. To keep this recipe quick and simple, you do have to briefly cook the instant rice before putting it in the casserole. I chose to use brown rice for its added fiber. Chicken Breasts. Lean chicken breast keeps this casserole on the lighter side while still adding filling protein. While you can put raw chicken in a casserole, we’re going to sauté it first for this recipe to make sure it cooks through.

Broccoli Florets. Packed with fiber and vitamins, broccoli is a powerhouse casserole ingredient. Once baked with the chicken and cheesy sauce, even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy this green veggie. Spices. A simple blend of salt, pepper, and garlic powder adds approachable seasoning to this casserole. All-Purpose Flour + Milk + Greek Yogurt. Instead of less nutritious canned soups, a mixture of flour, milk, and yogurt creates the base for this casserole’s creamy, luscious sauce. Dijon Mustard. Adds tanginess and helps enhance the cheesy flavor. Cheddar Cheese. Sharp cheddar is my favorite, because a little goes a long way. It’s bold, beloved, and a perfect pairing with the broccoli.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate casserole in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days. To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F. To Freeze. Freeze casserole in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. You can freeze this either before or after baking it. Be sure your dish is freezer safe.

Recommended Tools to Make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Baking Dish. Perfect for making this casserole. Measuring Spoons. These double-sided spoons are magnetic for easy storage. Measuring Cup. Microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe.

Could I be dubbed the Queen of Casseroles one day? Aside from the weird premonitions of becoming my mother, I’ll take the casserole-queen title with compliments.

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