Broccoli, Cheese, & Rice Casserole

IF you are making this dish AND the Hawaiian Haystacks (recipe below this one), make the Haystacks first and prepare extra rice and double the sauce -- that sauce is the same for that recipe as it is for this one! If you aren't making both, this recipe indicates exactly what you need for only this casserole.

Ingredients

4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) unsalted butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup chicken broth or stock

1 cup 1%, 2%, or whole milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, freshly cracked black pepper

1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning

3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated

1/4 cup sour cream (I use fat free)

2 cups prepared rotisserie chicken, shredded/chopped

2 cups prepared white (or brown) rice*

2 cup broccoli, chopped into small bite-sized pieces

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

3/4ths of 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed

Instructions

Cook the rice according to package instructions.

If baking the casserole right away, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a small sauce pan over low heat, melt the butter. Slowly whisk in the flour until completely combined with no chunks (a thick dough will form). Stir over medium heat for 1 minute. Whisk in the chicken stock or broth, salt (to taste, add more as desired), garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Allow to thicken and then gradually add in the milk, whisking constantly.

Stir over low heat until thickened. Stir in the freshly grated (pre-grated tends to get greasy) cheddar cheese and mix until melted and smooth. Add in the sour cream and shredded chicken. Stir until chicken is warmed through.

Cover the bottom of an 8 x 8 (or 2 quart) baking dish with the cooked and cooled rice. Add the chopped broccoli on top in an evenly layer. Place the cheesy chicken mixture on top and cover with tin foil. If not cooking right now, place in the fridge.

If cooking now, crush the Ritz crackers and mix with the melted butter. Top the casserole evenly with this mixture.

Bake, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes and, if desired, broil under high for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully. Enjoy immediately. 

Notes

IF you are making this dish AND the Hawaiian Haystacks (recipe below), make the Haystacks first and prepare extra rice and double the sauce -- that sauce is the same for that recipe as it is for this one! If you aren't making both, this recipe indicates exactly what you need to make for just this casserole.