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Ina Garten's chicken casserole served in a rustic dish with vegetables and herbs.

Chicken Casserole

A comforting and easy-to-make chicken casserole with melted cheese, nutritious vegetables, and satisfying flavors, perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 cups Brown Minute Rice Swap for quick-cooking brown rice if you want a slightly firmer texture.
  • 2 cups Chopped Broccoli Florets Use fresh or frozen broccoli; chop into bite-sized pieces.
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup Diced Carrots
  • 1 cup Frozen Green Peas No thawing required.
  • 2 cups Chicken Broth Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels.
  • 1 cup 2% Milk
  • 8 ounces Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided Use sharp cheddar for more flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Adjust as necessary based on broth and cheese.
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Pepper
  • 1.5 pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast Pound to even thickness for uniform cooking.
  • 1 ounce Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
  2. Chop the broccoli, dice the onion, and measure the rice, carrots, and peas.
  3. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then sear in a skillet for 2 minutes per side until lightly golden.
Mixing
  1. In a large bowl, combine the Brown Minute Rice, chopped vegetables, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 2 cups chicken broth, and 1 cup milk; stir until evenly mixed.
  2. Slice the seared chicken and nestle the pieces into the rice mixture, lightly covering with remaining cheddar cheese.
Baking
  1. Sprinkle the top with remaining cheese and parmesan, cover with foil, and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.
  2. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes to let the top brown.
  3. Let rest for 5 minutes to set, then fluff gently and serve warm.

Notes

This casserole can be made ahead and frozen for later. You can also adapt it by using different proteins or vegetables as desired.