Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, cut small
  • 3 cups cooked long-grain white rice
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup chicken bone broth
  • 2 cups sharp yellow cheddar cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1 sleeve buttery round crackers, crushed
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13 inch ceramic baking dish with butter or non stick spray. Note: Preheating is key for getting the sauce bubbling immediately.
  2. Sear the chicken cubes in a large heavy bottomed skillet over medium high heat until mahogany colored and crisp on the outside. Note: Don't worry if they aren't cooked through; the oven handles the rest.
  3. Sauté 4 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet, then add the diced onion and cook until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic for 60 seconds until the kitchen smells incredibly fragrant.
  4. Whisk in the 1/4 cup of all purpose flour to create a roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes until it smells slightly nutty.
  5. Stream the whole milk and chicken bone broth into the pan slowly, whisking constantly until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  6. Melt 2 cups of the grated cheddar, the Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper into the sauce until it looks like liquid gold.
  7. Combine the cooked rice, raw broccoli, and seared chicken in the baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce over everything and fold gently to coat every grain of rice.
  8. Topping preparation: Mix the crushed crackers with 2 tablespoons of melted butter and parsley. Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cup of cheese over the top, followed by the cracker crumbs.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are bubbling vigorously and the topping is golden brown. Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole: A Family Comfort Classic — Try my cheesy broccoli rice casserole! It's creamy, comforting, and perfect a...How to Make the Ultimate Bake Chicken Casserole with Ranch Flavor — Can't decide what to make for dinner? This Bake Chicken Casserole with Ranch ...Ultimate Creamy Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe Homemade Comfort — Ditch the canned soup This Easy Broccoli Rice Casserole uses a homemade chedd... $img_2$