Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice (Printer-Friendly Version)

Tender chicken, broccoli, and rice baked with creamy cheese and a crispy cracker topping.

# Ingredients Needed:

→ Protein

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces

→ Grains

02 - 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 cups fresh broccoli florets

→ Dairy

04 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
05 - 1/2 cup sour cream
06 - 1/2 cup milk
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

→ Pantry

08 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup, low sodium if preferred
09 - 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed

→ Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
13 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
14 - 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - Season diced chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large pot over medium heat. Cook chicken undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until golden, then flip and cook through. Remove and set aside.
03 - Add chicken broth, olive oil, and uncooked rice to the same pot, scraping up browned bits. Bring to a boil, reduce to low simmer, cover, and cook undisturbed for 6 minutes. Add broccoli florets on top, cover again, and steam for 9 more minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. If undercooked, add a splash more broth and cook 5 additional minutes. Remove from heat and let rest covered for 10 minutes.
04 - Gently stir cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, garlic powder, dried thyme, and half of the shredded cheddar into the rice and broccoli mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
05 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese over top. Cover with foil and bake on center rack for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
06 - While casserole bakes, crush Ritz crackers into coarse crumbs. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter and toss with cracker crumbs until evenly coated.
07 - Remove foil from casserole, evenly sprinkle buttery cracker topping over surface. Return uncovered to oven and bake an additional 10 minutes until topping is golden and cheese beneath bubbly.
08 - Remove casserole from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving to set and facilitate clean slices.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for best melt and creaminess.
02 - Letting the dish rest improves texture and ease of serving.
03 - Add the cracker topping just before the end of baking for maximum crunch.

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