Description
A strategic comfort food casserole featuring tender chicken thighs, fresh broccoli, and fluffy basmati rice in a rich, creamy cheddar and parmesan sauce. It is easy to make, meal-prep friendly, and reheats beautifully.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 large heads broccoli (about 900g), florets and diced stems
- 2 cups long-grain white rice (basmati or jasmine)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: Breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter, fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook rice in salted boiling water until al dente (15-18 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then brown in batches for 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
- Add chicken broth and heavy cream. Whisk in Dijon mustard and smoked paprika. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine cooked rice, browned chicken, and raw broccoli florets in the sauce. Stir to coat and adjust seasoning.
- Pour mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with cheddar and parmesan cheese (and breadcrumbs if using).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden, and broccoli is tender-crisp.
- Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use fresh broccoli for best texture and flavor. Shred your own cheese to ensure smooth melting. If using rotisserie chicken, skip the browning step. For a lighter version, swap heavy cream for half-and-half and white rice for cauliflower rice. This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken casserole, broccoli rice, comfort food, weeknight dinner, meal prep, cheesy casserole, one pot meal