If you’re looking for lighter versions of your favorite casseroles, our Light Chicken Broccoli Casserole is a very tasty place to start! You can gobble this one right up and feel good about doing it. It features some yummy, shredded chicken as your protein, a bunch of fluffy brown rice for a healthy carb, and lots of fresh broccoli to make sure you get your greens! All that gets melded together with a lower-fat, creamy, cheesy concoction and a crunchy breadcrumb topping to create a dish you’ll enjoy eating that’s actually pretty good for you too! Taking care of yourself has never tasted better thanks to this Light Chicken Broccoli Casserole!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups 2% reduced-fat milk, divided
- 2 (8.8-ounce) packages microwaveable brown rice, cooked
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 3 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
- 6 ounces reduced-fat extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
Directions
Step 1 –Adjust an oven rack 6 inches from the heat source.
Step 2 –Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 3 –In a small bowl, whisk the flour and 1 cup of the milk together until smooth.
Step 4 –In a large, broiler-safe skillet over medium-high heat, bring the remaining milk to a boil and stir frequently.
Step 5 –Reduce the heat to medium and gradually whisk the flour mixture into the boiling milk until smooth.
Step 6 –Return the milk mixture to a boil and cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 7 –Stir the cooked rice and the broccoli into the milk mixture and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is bright green, about 2 minutes.
Step 8 –Add the shredded chicken, the cheddar, the salt, and the pepper to the rice mixture and stir until the cheese melts.
Step 9 –Transfer the rice mixture from the heat.
Step 10 –In a small bowl, combine the panko and the oil.
Step 11 –Sprinkle the panko mixture over the chicken mixture.
Step 12 –Bake the casserole until it is bubbly, about 15 minutes.
Step 13 –Switch the oven to broil and broil the casserole until the top is golden-brown, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 14 –Transfer the casserole from the heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.
Step 15 –Serve.