One Pot Broccoli, Chicken and Rice Casserole
A simple and comforting one-pot meal combining chicken, broccoli, and rice in a creamy sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 500 g chicken thigh, cut into bite-size pieces (Note 1)
- 2.5 tbsp flour (or 1 ½ tbsp cornflour / cornstarch)
- 2 cups milk any, I use low fat
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1.25 cups long grain white rice, uncooked (Note 2)
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or other herb of choice)
- Salt and pepper
- 1 large head broccoli, broken/cut into small florets (~400 – 500g / 14 oz – 1 lb) (Note 3)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar (or other cheese of choice) (Note 4)
- Finely chopped parsley optional for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Melt the butter and heat the oil in a pot over high heat.
- Add the onion and garlic, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook until they turn from pink to white.
- Turn the stove down to medium heat. Add the flour and stir for 1 minute.
- Gradually pour in half of the milk, stirring as you go. Once it is mixed, add the remaining milk and stir well.
- Pour in the broth, rice, thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir everything together and bring to a simmer.
Cooking
- Cover the pot and turn the heat down to medium-low, cooking for 12 minutes.
- After 12 minutes, remove the lid. You should still see some liquid on the surface. Quickly add the broccoli, pushing it down so it’s partly submerged, and cover again. Cook for another 3 minutes until the broccoli is just tender.
- Preheat the grill or broiler. Remove the lid and stir in half of the cheese.
- Smooth the surface and top with the remaining cheese. Grill or broil until the cheese is melted. Alternatively, just cover with a lid and let the cheese melt with the residual heat on the turned-off stove.
Serving
- Serve immediately, garnished with parsley if desired.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place it in the microwave or on the stove until warmed through. For extra flavor, consider adding different herbs or spices. If you prefer a thinner sauce, you can add a bit more broth or milk during cooking. Make sure not to overcook the broccoli; it should be bright green and tender but still crisp.