Cheesy Broccoli, Chicken, and Rice Casserole

A quick Dinner

This was before baking

I love cooking magazines and cookbooks. LOVE THEM. I would almost rather read these than a regular book. I stumbled upon this recipe in the America's Test Kitchen 30-minute Suppers and decided to make it first thing.

Cheesy Broccoli, Chicken, and Rice Casserole

from America's Test Kitchen

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 cups of cooked rice (2 cups dry) OR (2 - 8.8 ounce packages of Uncle Ben's Ready Rice if in a hurry)

1 1/2 lbs chicken tenderloins (I used half of this amount because my part didn't have chicken)

Salt and Pepper to taste

2 TBS unsalted butter

1 TBS olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1 cup low sodium chicken or vegetable broth

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 1/2 lbs broccoli, florets chopped, stem peeled and sliced thing crosswise

3 TBS dijon mustard

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

If using quick rice, adjust oven rack 5 inches from heating element and heat broiled. Cut slits in rice packets and microwave until hot, about 90 seconds. Remove rice from packets and spread evenly over bottom of broiler-safe baking dish. I don't use ready rice, so I just cooked my brown rice according to package directions and then spread on baking dish.

Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Melt 1 TBS of butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until light golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to baking dish, arranging in a single layer over the cooked rice.

Add remaining 1 Tbs butter plus 1 tbs olive oil and then add onion. Cook until onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour and cook until incorporated, about 1 minute. Whisk in broth and cream and simmer until thickened, about 3-5 minutes.

While this is simmering, combine broccoli and 1/4 cup water in microwave safe bowl. Cover with a wet paper towel and microwave until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain broccoli (PS-this is how I always steam broccoli)

Stir mustard, 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, and broccoli into sauce in the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, then pour the broccoli-sauce mixture over chicken and rice in the casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and broil until cheese is browned, about 2-4 minutes.

Serve!

Adjustments: Next time I will add garlic and red bell peppers. Mushrooms would also be a nice addition. Always trying to add more veggies!

Review: Loved how quick and easy to assemble was. As long as you have your rice cooked (or are using the ready rice) you can get this done in 30 minutes. The dijon mustard added a nice kick

CHRISTMAS TIME!

I have decided to add a nice Christmas Gift Idea when I post this month. I love Christmas time and all the fun kitchen stuff that is out there. Today, after looking thru my new Williams-Sonoma catalog I am in love with....

Found at Williams-Sonoma

I love the color and I love the size. I use these little Oval Gratin Baking Dishes a lot, this one would be a nice addition to your kitchen or for that special someone on your Christmas list!