Ingredients
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 c. small yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 c. white rice
2 1/2 c. low-sodium chicken broth, divided
1 c. heavy cream
2 c. broccoli florets
1 c. shredded cheddar
1/4 c. panko bread crumbs
Preparation
Step 1In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook, stirring, until soft, 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 6 minutes more.Step 2Stir in rice, heavy cream, and 1 cup of the broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Add remaining 1 1/2 cups broth, broccoli, and cheddar cheese and cook until broccoli is tender and cheese is melty, about 10 minutes. Step 3Heat broiler. Sprinkle chicken mixture with bread crumbs and season with salt and pepper. Broil until golden and crispy, about 2 minutes.
Can I put raw broccoli in this casserole? You not only can, you should. The broccoli will cook in the skillet and under the broiler, resulting in cooked florets that still have that bite of crispness we want. If you cook your broccoli before adding to your skillet mixture, the end result will be mushy pieces of broccoli, and nobody wants that. Can I use brown rice?Sure! If you prefer brown rice instead of white rice, just add an extra 1/2 cup chicken broth, and keep a little extra on the side to add in case the skillet is looking dry. Brown rice often takes longer than white rice to cook, so make sure to keep an eye on it, and increase your cooking time. Can I make it ahead? Absolutely! Simply prepare the casserole until the end of step 2, then wrap tightly and place in the fridge where it will keep for around 3 days. When you’re ready to bake, top with your breadcrumbs and broil! How do I store it? Cover the baking dish or transfer or it to an airtight container and store in the fridge where leftovers should last for 3 to 4 days. Made it? Let us know how it went in the comment section below!
