This simple Chicken and Rice Broccoli Casserole Recipe from my sister Jan is a huge hit around here and everywhere I've ever taken it. The sauce is so delicious with a little bit of lemon for a twist. Bonus: it's a fairly fast and easy recipe to throw together, too.
Organic Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of organic broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1/2 pound carrots, optional, chopped small (so they'll cook evenly with the other stuff)
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cut into pieces 1" or so
- 2 cans organic cream of chicken soup, or 1 can cream of chicken and one can cream of mushroom – be sure to use organic for this part of the recipe – other canned soups have MSG and other junk. You could also make these creamed soup alternatives.
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice + more lemon zest if you like a more lemony flavor
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup mayo-- try my easy homemade mayo recipe, it takes less than 5 minutes to whip up!
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Topping:
- 2 1/2 cups organic breadcrumbs-- I use the ends up of our bread that no one wants and grind finely in the food processor.
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 8 Tablespoons melted butter
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Serve over rice
- 3 cups rice, I like this kind.
- 4 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 Tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375*.
- Butter a 9×13 glass or stainless steel baking dish. Put chicken, broccoli and carrots in the bottom.
- In a separate bowl mix together soups, juice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, sour cream and mayo, and spoon over the top.
- Bake 30 minutes.
- While it's baking, get your rice going (see below). Make the topping: melt the butter and stir in the breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder. After it bakes for the 30 minutes, sprinkle the cheese and the breadcrumb mixture over the top and bake another 10 minutes or so until cheese is melted and breadcrumbs are golden.
- I serve this over rice that I cook in homemade chicken broth. Follow instructions on your rice package.
Enjoy, and thank you Sister!
More you might like:
- Want a similar recipe only without chicken for a side dish? Try this broccoli cheese casserole!
- You don't drink low-fat milk anymore, right?! Read about healthy milk options, and why you should only buy whole milk!
- Have you tried my yummy popcorn recipe?
- Have you read the guest interview with my husband, Kent?
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bianca says
this was really yummy! i added more vegies including cauliflower and sauteed mushrooms, then added small chunks of chicken over the top. I was most proud of making the cream of soup recipe by myself! Who knew it was that easy and it tasted way better than any canned variety I’ve tried.
Thanks for a great recipe. Am whipping this up tomorrow for a friend of mine who has just had her 4th bub!
Annie says
Hi, Kelly! I’m trying to figure out how to make the sauce (don’t want to use canned) and interspersed throughout the recipe are links to “register” or “login.” I get your emails, but I don’t think that’s the issue… I really wanted to make this for dinner tonight – any thoughts? I’ll figure something out, but wanted your recipe 😉
KitchenKop says
OK, now you’re the 2nd person to say that today! I’m not sure what’s going on! So you’re not able to click on the links? Can you try reloading and/or opening the site in Firefox and see what happens?
Email me and let me know, OK? [email protected]
Thanks!
Kelly
KitchenKop says
T, I just don’t know how you’d soak rice pasta. I know brown rice does have some phytates, though, which is why we use only the germinated. Read more at the Radish Boy post that I linked to above.
Sorry, I don’t know of any chart like that, unfortunately.
Kelly
t says
But since its made from brown rice first I just have to boil it-seems too easy?! Also is there a chart somewhere with the grains/phytates listed? thanks kelly
KitchenKop says
T,
Tinkyada is a rice pasta, so I’ve never heard of anyone soaking it. It’s good if you like it, I wish I did!
Kelly
t says
Do I have to soak brown rice pasta the night before since I will just be boiling it? I use the Tinkyada brand. tx
Anita says
You can easily sprout/germinate your own brown rice at home. Here’s the way- https://www.instructables.com/id/HOWTO-make-GBR-germinated-or-sprouted-brown-rice/
(I didn’t use the heating pad), but I just soaked it overnight in rainwater, drained, & put in a sprouting tray/dish, & sprouted in a dark, ventilated cupboard till shoots appeared. Yummy!
Kelly says
Hi JK,
The flour you use depends on how “good” you want to be. If you’re not worried about a little bit, you can use the unbleached white flour; if you are avoiding white flour or unsoaked/unsprouted flour, then you can use the sprouted flour; if you’re watching your carbs, you could even use coconut flour!
I think cultured butter is a great choice, but usually a lot more expensive. Yes, you could cook with it, but I’d probably use the less expensive stuff for cooking.
Kelly
JK says
I know I’m getting a little paranoid here but what flour do we use if we’d like to do the “creamed soup alternative”? – soaked whole wheat flour or white flour?
Further, what do you think of cultured butter? I recently bought Organic Valley’s cultured butter. Is it better than ordinary butter? Can I cook with it?
Tks!
JK
Kelly says
Kim, I read it, very interesting… Thanks!
Tina, yes, I’ve tried Tinkyada…gag me. It’s got a weird taste. I’m thankful that in SOME things I like ww pasta, just not all. I also love brown rice, and that actually works good in the things that I don’t like ww in.
Funny about the word “dingbat”, I thought it was a “universal” term – LOL! 🙂
Tina says
Kelly, have you tried Tinkyada rice pasta? It’s pretty good. It took a while for me to like it (i don’t love it though.) I still prefer the good ol’ pasta we all grew up eating. I don’t like w/w pasta at all.
I do like brown rice alot though. It takes more time preparing which stinks when I want to make a quick pasta and red sauce dish.
BTW, when you used dingbat in another post, I thought she definitely is a Michigan girl. I grew up in Evart near Reed City. I’ve since lived in two different states and have never heard anyone say dingbat but when I lived in Michigan my family used it daily!
Tina says
Kelly, Sally writes about Asians’ ability to digest grains (rice, wheat, millet) better than Westerners on pg 56 of Nourishing Traditions.
Since I can’t soak pasta, rice is a good replacement and germinated rice – even better!
Kim in Ohio says
Thanks so much for sharing this, Kelly. The post at the Radish Boy blog was great, too. I’m going to try sprouting some tomorrow. I came across another good article about research done on GBR that also shows it improves cognitive function and is an anti-diabetic. 🙂 Here’s the URL if you want to read it:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/122528.php
Kelly says
Tina, I’d never heard Sally say that before, interesting… I’m trying to stay away from pasta more, too. I don’t mind the wheat pasta in dishes with a red sauce, but with anything else, I just don’t like it… And I positively cannot stand the rice pasta. ICK.
tina says
I wondered if we Americans can eat more germinated brown rice. I know Sally Fallon says that Westerners should not eat too much rice because our pancreas organs and salivary glands aren’t as large as Asians.
I want to replace pasta with rice and if germinated rice is easier to digest for us then that would be perfect. We eat pasta 1 to 2 times and rice would be a great substitution.
Kelly says
Hi Brittany, I’m glad you liked it! 🙂
Brittany says
Just wanted to say THANK YOU for this yummy recipe! I am a young mom in need of some cooking help and this was delicious, simple, filling and healthy!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Julie says
HI Kelly,
if brown rice can be germinated at home, then yes, it would be cheaper than buying it germinated. I think I paid over three dollars a pound for the rice I bought earlier from the DHC skin care (that was half off too!) It pays to try doing it at home.
Jody says
Kelly,
Wilderness Family naturals has their mayo 50% off while supplies last. Any interest in splitting a case? I’ve been making a similar recipe to this for a long time, and recently added soaked rice . I also make my own “cream of chicken” white sauce with broth, flour, and butter. This freezes well too, so it is a great one to make a double or triple batch! I got the recipe from
30 Day Gourmet Freezer Manual, which has measurements for double, triple, and bigger batches. Their recipes aren’t necessarily traditional foods, but are easily adapted. Plus, it is simply a good explanation of batch cooking.
Jody
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Naomi & Julie, thanks for the comments! I assume it’s less expensive to sprout your own brown rice?
Hi Alex,
Good to “meet” you! I’m thankful that my blog has been helpful. Thanks for subscribing and I look forward to reading more of your comments in the future! 🙂
Julie says
I bought some germinated brown rice from the sight that Lynn mentioned (DHC skin care). It is delicious. I find it much tastier than regular brown. Am interested in trying to germinate rice at home so I appreciate the comment from Naomi. The casserole recipe sounds delicious. Thanks.
a kelly says
Kelly!!
I love your blog…I have been on a journey to health for several years now after experiencing a downward spiral of debilitating symptoms. Your site backs up some of what I have learned and I look forward to reading through your posts for lots more great info! I heard you catholic radio…(not sure which one?)….and I share many things with you…faith,
my last name is Kelly!, searching for optimum health, I love Grand Rapids!…
I live just over the border in Ontario.
Looking forward to reading all you write (subscribed in a reader).
God Bless!
Alex Kelly
Anonymous says
Did you know that you can sprout your own brown rice? I did it, following instructions at this website: https://www.instructables.com/id/HOWTO-make-GBR-germinated-or-sprouted-brown-rice/
Naomi