Chicken Brocolli & Rice Casserole

Chicken broccoli and rice casserole, one of my favorite casserole dishes.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of cooked rice
  
• 3 cups of fresh, raw chopped broccoli, blanched
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 (10 ounce) can of condensed cream of celery soup, (like Campbell's)
• 1-1/2 cups of grated Cheddar cheese, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning, or to taste, optional
• 1/2 cup of bread crumbs, or crumbled potato chips, or buttery crackers
• 4 cups of shredded cooked chicken

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter or spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise and cream of celery soup. Add the garlic salt, pepper and Cajun seasoning; mix. Add the rice, broccoli, one cup of the cheese and the chicken. Mix well and turn out into the prepared casserole dish.

Bake uncovered, at 350 degrees F, in the upper section of the oven for 30 minutes. Remove and add the crumb topping and the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese on top. Return to the oven and bake another 10 minutes or until the crumbs brown and cheese melts. Check the center to make sure it is cooked through. Let sit for a few minutes to settle before serving. Can freeze.

Cook's Notes: Omit the chicken in a chicken broccoli and rice casserole to make it a simple Broccoli and Rice Casserole, or omit the rice for a simple Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli dish. May substitute thawed and drained frozen broccoli for the fresh.

Variation: To layer, spread the rice in the bottom of the pan and top evenly with the broccoli; set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise and cream of celery soup. Add the garlic salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning; mix. Add one cup of the cheese and the chicken. Spread mixture over the top of the broccoli layer and smooth out. When layering bake your chicken broccoli and rice casserole on the center rack of the oven.