This Gourmet Chicken Bake knows to keep its pinky up and to bring only the best flavors to the plate! Nutty brown rice, refreshing broccoli, smoky Fontina cheese, and beefy mushrooms all join together to dress up the juicy, shredded chicken even more! Top it with some crunchy breadcrumbs and watch the elegant magic happen! Gourmet Chicken Bake brings an upper-class touch to the humble casserole!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups 2% milk, divided
- 2 (8.8-ounce) packages pre-cooked microwaveable brown rice
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 3 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
- 6 ounces Fontina cheese, shredded
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, quartered and sautéed
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
Directions
Step 1 –Place an oven rack 6 inches from the heat source.
Step 2 –Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 3 –Whisk the flour and 1 cup of the milk in a small bowl until smooth.
Step 4 –Bring the remaining milk to a boil in a large broiler-safe skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often.
Step 5 –Reduce the heat to medium and gradually whisk in the flour mixture until smooth.
Step 6 –Return the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Step 7 –Boil the milk mixture, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 8 –Stir the rice and the broccoli into the milk mixture until combined.
Step 9 –Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is bright green, about 2 minutes.
Step 10 –Add the chicken, the Fontina cheese, the cremini mushrooms, the salt, and the pepper to the rice mixture and stir until the cheese is melted.
Step 11 –Transfer the skillet from the heat.
Step 12 –Stir together the panko, the thyme, and the oil in a small bowl.
Step 13 –Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the chicken mixture.
Step 14 –Bake until the casserole is bubbly, about 15 minutes.
Step 15 –Switch the oven to broil and cook until the top is golden-brown, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 16 –Allow the bake to cool for 5 minutes.
Step 17 –Serve.
