Chicken Broccoli Casserole

This family-favorite, delicious recipe for Microwave Chicken Broccoli Casserole is easy to make and super quick if you cook the chicken ahead of time. This dish also works well with leftover turkey or deli rotisserie chicken. I have modified this casserole from a recipe originally given to me by my sister-in-law, Jayne. 

Ingredients 

2 1/2 cups cooked chicken (cut or torn into bite-sized pieces)
5 cups frozen broccoli (2 1/2 cups thawed)
1 can Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Chicken Soup
1 cup chicken broth (from cooking the chicken)
1 cup 2% milk
1 1/4 cups minute rice
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 1/4 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese


Directions:

Use Pam to spray a 9" x 13" glass baking dish . Thaw broccoli in the baking dish in the microwave and cut into bite-sized pieces. 

Add cooked chicken pieces. 

Warm the chicken broth. Add cream of chicken soup, milk, and rice, and stir. 

Add mozzarella cheese to the chicken and broccoli in the baking dish. Pour the broth mixture on top and stir until ingredients are evenly distributed. Mixture will be lumpy.

Cook on high in the microwave approximately 12 minutes*. Remove from microwave and sprinkle shredded mild cheddar cheese on top; do not stir. If your microwave does not have a turntable, rotate baking dish 1/2 turn and return to the microwave. Cook on high an additional 4-6 minutes*, until cheese is melted and casserole is set (and not "runny"). 

Remove from microwave, cover with aluminum foil, and let set 5 minutes.

*Microwave times may vary according to your microwave.

This recipe serves approximately 6 hungry appetites, and leftovers are equally delicious!


Nancy's Tips:

• To cook chicken ahead of time, rinse chicken pieces (with or without bones and skin) and place in a large pot. Add water to almost cover. Add a 2-3 celery stalks and an onion cut in pieces, and bring to a boil. Simmer approximately 1 hour until meat is very tender, and meat thermometer registers above 180 degrees. Remove from bones and cut or tear chicken into bite-sized pieces. Store extra chicken in the freezer until ready for use. It takes approximately 2-3 chicken breasts for this recipe, but I usually cook 4-5 pounds of chicken pieces at a time.
• Freeze leftover chicken broth from cooking the chicken in small 1 cup containers for use in other casseroles and dishes.
• You may also use deli rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey and purchased chicken broth. 
• If the cooked chicken is frozen, you may thaw the chicken and broccoli at the same time in the microwave.

The grand-kids say Chicken Broccoli Casserole is "very good and tasty".
Daughter-in-law Heejin loves this casserole,
and she doesn't usually like cheese!