Go Back
–+ servings

The Chicken Casserole

CasseroleChickenDiner-Style
Time :45 minutes
Yield :8 servings
Print
Share :
Add as Preferred Source on Google

The Scoop

This chicken casserole turns a fridgeclean-out into a single cohesive personality.
Tell your therapist you are practicing self-care, and by that, we mean smothering pre-cooked chicken, rice, and broccoli in a velvety mountain of sharp cheddar and cream cheese. 
This casserole is the ultimate reward for surviving another day. It’s got a buttery cracker crust that shatters perfectly, and it’s a 10/10 recommend for celebrating life's small victories (like cleaning out the fridge on a Friday).
Hack it:
Add crispy bacon or pancetta if you want it to feel louder.
Swap rice for pasta when you’re in a “different life today” mood.
Use rotisserie chicken to skip the effort tax.
Leftovers:
Turn into a baked potato topping and celebrate another win.
Fry any leftovers into thin, crispy casserole patties.
Thin it with broth and pretend it’s a new soup.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 1/2 cups milk
  • 3 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, cut into small cubes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups broccoli florets, lightly steamed or blanched
  • 3 cups rice, cooked
  • 3 cups chicken, cooked, diced or shredded
  • 1 cup buttery crackers, coarsely crushed
  • 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped, for garnish

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a medium pot over medium heat, melt the butter.
  • Add the onion to the butter and cook until it is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the flour to the onion mixture and cook, while stirring, until the onions are coated, about 1 minute.
  • Slowly whisk the milk into the onion mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 4-5 minutes.
  • Add 2 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese, the cream cheese, the salt, the pepper, the paprika, and the garlic powder to the sauce mixture and stir until it is smooth.
  • In a large bowl, add the broccoli, the rice, and the chicken and stir to combine.
  • Combine the chicken mixture with the sauce and toss to evenly coat.
  • Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth out the top.
  • Sprinkle the remaining cheese and the crushed crackers over top of the casserole.
  • Bake the casserole until it is bubbly, the topping is browned, and the cheese has melted, about 20 minutes.
  • Sprinkle the casserole with the parsley and serve.
×