Many things can bring you comfort—a massage, going for a walk, taking a nap—but there is nothing like a heartwarming meal to put everything in a good place. Simple Chicken Casserole is the queen of comfort foods, and she will treat you right! Just whip up the cheesy sauce, add some cooked chicken, long grain rice, and fresh broccoli, and bake it all until bubbly. And just like that, you have easily reached comfort euphoria. So, go get a massage, take a walk, then maybe a nap, because once you indulge in a taste of Simple Chicken Casserole, you are sure to find your ultimate go-to comfort utopia. Now, let’s get comfy!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 ounces cream cheese, cut into small cubes
- 3 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups broccoli florets, lightly steamed or blanched
- 3 cups rice, cooked
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken, bones and skin removed, meat diced or shredded
- 1 cup buttery crackers, coarsely crushed
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Step 2 –Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 3 –In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter.
Step 4 –Add the onion to the melted butter and cook, stirring frequently, until it is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 5 –Add the flour to the onion mixture, stirring to coat, and cook, about 1 minute.
Step 6 –Slowly add the milk to the onion mixture and whisk to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 4-5 minutes.
Step 7 –Add the cream cheese, 2 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese, the salt, the black pepper, the smoked paprika, and the garlic powder to the sauce mixture and stir until it is smooth.
Step 8 –Transfer the saucepan from the heat.
Step 9 –In a large bowl, add the steamed broccoli, the cooked rice, and the cooked chicken and stir to combine.
Step 10 –Pour the sauce over the chicken mixture and toss to evenly coat.
Step 11 –Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and use a spoon to smooth out the top.
Step 12 –Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the chicken mixture.
Step 13 –Sprinkle the crushed crackers over the cheese layer.
Step 14 –Bake the casserole until it is bubbly, the topping is browned, and the cheese has melted, about 20 minutes.
Step 15 –Serve.
