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Casserole dishes are a tradition in America, Latin America, and Europe. Steps are easy to follow: more or less put all stuff in a pot and let it simmer until ready. So simple and so versatile, few recipes are as noble as a chicken broccoli and rice casserole.
Are you looking for a tasty fuss-free meal? Then this one’s for you! Ingredients are low maintenance and affordable. Prepping takes only 15 minutes and the entire cooking process is over in an hour.
Create your own signature dish
Ingredients are varied and up to taste: your casserole can include large amounts of vegetables like potatoes, broccoli, celery and leek if you’re looking for a healthier version, or you can enjoy a simpler one with chopped onions and bell peppers just to add flavor.
As for the chicken, it’s up to you if you prefer to cook the biggest portions all at once in your pot, or chop them and let them brown beforehand. Boneless and skinless chicken is good as well. Rotisserie chicken is also an option when you’re with very little time in your hands.
Some recipes include tomato or mushroom soup and rely on the chicken broth to add taste to the whole dish, but some others lie on the dryer side and invite you to enjoy the rice and the chicken separately.
Think ahead and save time
On top of everything, chicken and rice casserole is perfect for batch cooking and meal prepping: it lasts up to a month in the freezer without losing flavor or quality.
Don’t be afraid to make a large pot of chicken and rice to freeze and reheat, and be ready to enjoy a healthy and nutritious meal for lunch or dinner during a hectic week with no stress.
Chicken and rice casserole, with curry
This is an Indian inspired casserole recipe that doesn’t need canned soup, since the coconut milk will bring the cooking liquid and the consistency needed. Raisins are optional, but a bittersweet taste is always welcome if you feel bold and adventurous. Curry and raisins together are a unique combination, you should definitely give it a go!
Ingredients (3 servings)
- 1 medium onion.
- 1 garlic clove.
- 2 ginger slices.
- 1 chicken breast.
- 1 tbsp. of curry.
- 1 lemon.
- 2 tbsp. of grated coconut.
- 1 cup of rice.
- 1 cup of coconut milk.
- 1 tbsp. of peanuts.
- 1 tbsp. of raisins (optional).
- Oil and salt.
Preparation
- Chop your onion, garlic and ginger and stir-fry them in oil until the onion gets a translucent color.
- Dice your chicken breast and add it to the sauté to absorb the flavors, until it turns brown.
- Add your curry and mix well, and then add your grated coconut and some lemon zest. The rice will turn into a very vivid yellow color.
- Pour lemon juice and coconut milk. Stir carefully to combine.
- Now add the rice and mix everything well. Add some extra water and wait until it boils. Then cover your pot, and wait until it’s almost done. Don’t forget to lower the heat to minimum.
- Five minutes before rice is al dente, add the peanuts. They must be peeled and roasted. If you include them early in the preparation, they will be too soft to enjoy.
- Wait those five minutes until rice is ready and add the raisins to get a bittersweet flavor if you want to step up your cooking game.
Final tips:
If your rice doesn’t look ready yet, because it’s still hard or crunchy, but all the soup, milk or broth has been absorbed already, don’t be afraid to add some more liquid and continue to simmer while covering your pot with the lid. Patience is key: don’t heat it up and wait until liquid is absorbed and the rice is ready. Your chicken will profit from the extra flavor as well.
Be smart and don’t use more pots and pans than needed. Casseroles are a one pot dish, everything you add to it, and every ingredient you cook in each step contributes to the richness of the final flavor.
Add some spices like rosemary, thyme or even laurel to make your casserole even tastier. Ordering sushi or pizza won’t be so tempting after you try your own chicken and rice casserole!
