Name: Creamy Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 500g (1.1lb) chicken breast, cubed; 250g (1 ¼ cups) long-grain rice, rinsed; 300g (10½oz) broccoli florets; 150g (5oz) cheddar cheese, shredded (halal-certified); 100g (3½oz) mozzarella cheese, shredded (halal-certified); 200ml (¾ cup) heavy cream; 500ml (2 cups) low-sodium chicken broth (halal-certified); 30g (2 Tbsp) unsalted butter; 30g (2 Tbsp) all-purpose flour; 1 medium onion (≈150g / 5oz), diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 Tbsp (30ml) olive oil; 1 tsp (5ml) Dijon mustard; ½ tsp (2½ml) smoked paprika; ¼ tsp (1¼ml) black pepper; ½ tsp (2½ml) salt; 2 Tbsp (15g) almond slivers, toasted; 1 Tbsp (15ml) lemon zest; 2 Tbsp (8g) parsley, chopped; 2 Tbsp (30g) panko breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tsp (5ml) melted butter

Description

This Creamy Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole is a comforting and satisfying meal featuring tender chicken, fluffy rice, vibrant broccoli, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce. It’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale

500g (1.1lb) chicken breast, cubed
250g (1 ¼ cups) long-grain rice, rinsed
300g (10½oz) broccoli florets
150g (5oz) cheddar cheese, shredded (halal-certified)
100g (3½oz) mozzarella cheese, shredded (halal-certified)
200ml (¾ cup) heavy cream
500ml (2 cups) low-sodium chicken broth (halal-certified)
30g (2 Tbsp) unsalted butter
30g (2 Tbsp) all-purpose flour
1 medium onion (≈150g / 5oz), diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp (30ml) olive oil
1 tsp (5ml) Dijon mustard
½ tsp (2½ml) smoked paprika
¼ tsp (1¼ml) black pepper
½ tsp (2½ml) salt
2 Tbsp (15g) almond slivers, toasted
1 Tbsp (15ml) lemon zest
2 Tbsp (8g) parsley, chopped
2 Tbsp (30g) panko breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tsp (5ml) melted butter

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Instructions

Prepare Oven & Dish: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 23x33cm (9x13in) baking dish.
Cook Rice: Rinse rice, boil with water & salt for 12 minutes, then rest covered for 5 minutes.
Blanch Broccoli: Boil broccoli for 2 minutes, then shock in ice water.
Sear Chicken: Season & sear chicken in olive oil until browned, not fully cooked.
Sauté Aromatics: Sauté onion until translucent, then add garlic.
Create Roux: Stir flour into onion-garlic mixture for 1 minute.
Make Cream Sauce: Whisk in broth & cream until thickened.
Flavor Sauce: Stir in mustard, paprika, salt & pepper.
Combine Ingredients: Fold in rice, broccoli, chicken, & half the cheese.
Assemble & Bake: Transfer to dish, top with panko mixture & remaining cheese, bake for 25-30 minutes.
Rest & Garnish: Rest for 10 minutes, garnish with almonds, lemon zest & parsley.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use full-fat cream and high-quality cheeses. Adjust seasoning to your preference.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 450 kcal
Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 500 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 12 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 100 mg