Monday, November 3, 2014

I have been searching for a chicken casserole recipe that uses raw chicken, that is easy, that is HEALTHY, and MOST importantly, that the kids will eat.  I found a recipe similar to this recipe on Pinterest and I made some modifications to "clean it up" a bit.  End result CLEAN PLATES!!!!!!  This is without a doubt going into our regular rotation!!!!

Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole
For the casserole:
1 cup uncooked brown rice
1 1/2 cup milk
2 10.75-oz. cans condensed cheddar cheese soup* (such as Campbell’s)
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 large (or 4 small) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt, pepper and garlic powder
2 12-oz. bag frozen broccoli florets (or about 3 cups fresh)
For the topping:
1 sleeve butter crackers, crushed (such as Ritz or Town House)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Spray the bottom and sides of a 13x9 or two 9x9 baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together milk, cheddar soups and 3/4 teaspoon salt until smooth. Set aside 1 cup of the soup mixture. To the remaining soup mixture, stir in uncooked rice then pour mixture into prepared baking dish (if making two smaller casseroles, evenly divide between the two).

Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces then season with salt, pepper and garlic. Arrange chicken pieces on top of rice mixture.

Arrange broccoli florets on top of the chicken.

Pour reserved soup mixture evenly over broccoli. Cover dish very tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Consider covering with a double layer of foil to ensure a tight fit - we need all the steam to stay in the dish to ensure everything cooks properly.
of freezing, you will freeze at this step.

Combine crushed crackers, melted butter and garlic and mix well. Remove casserole from oven, remove aluminum foil then sprinkle cracker topping evenly over casserole. Continue baking, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and let rest for at least 15 minutes then serve. Don't skip this step - it's needed for the rice to continue cooking and the casserole to set up properly.

NOTE: If you prepare this ahead of time and refrigerate before cooking you will need to cook for an additional 15 minutes before adding cracker topping.  If freezing, be sure to thaw before baking.

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