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Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole – a delicious, cheesy casserole with a crunchy cereal and almond topping made with Honey Bunches of Oats, perfect for an easy dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
Having breakfast together is part of my family’s morning routine. We all gather around the kitchen table and it is a great way for us to spend time together before the busy day ahead.
On weekday mornings, my family typically has cereal for breakfast. One of our favorites, that both the adults and all three kids enjoy, is Post Honey Bunches of Oats. Post has a variety of cereals, so there is something for everyone, we enjoy the Honey Bunches of Oats Honey Roasted and Almond varieties.
Cereal isn’t just for breakfast. My kids often enjoy cereal as a snack, cereal is also a great topping for all sorts of casseroles such as this delicious, Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole.
When I go shopping at my local Walmart, I like to pick up boxes of Honey Bunches of Oats Honey Roasted and Honey Bunches of Oats Almond, they are located in the Cereal aisle. There are also three new varieties of Post cereal available in-stores, including Honey Bunches of Oats Gluten Free Chocolate, Crunch O’s and Kung Fu Panda.
Dinner in 30 Minutes
This Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole is so easy to prepare as it uses cooked chicken and cooked rice and is perfect for a quick, weeknight family dinner.
If I don’t have cooked chicken and cooked rice on hand, I like to poach some chicken breasts and cook some rice, the evening before or morning of the day I plan to make the casserole. I also like to cut up my broccoli florets ahead of time and store them in a microwave safe dish. That way, when dinner time rolls around, all I have to do is precook the broccoli, make the cheese sauce, and assemble and bake the casserole and dinner is on the table in about 30 minutes.
How to Make Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole
To prepare this casserole, first gather the ingredients for the cheese sauce, including butter, flour, milk and shredded cheddar cheese as well as the cooked chicken, cooked rice and broccoli florets. Add a few tablespoons of water to the broccoli florets and microwave them for a couple of minutes. This precooks the broccoli a little so that it becomes tender, rather than staying crunchy, in the casserole.
Next, make the cheese sauce, this will only take a few minutes. Add the butter to a large pot over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the flour, whisking to combine. Then, gradually pour in the milk, whisking to combine.
Add the cheese, a handful at a time, whisking after each addition until the cheese is melted. Season cheese sauce with salt and pepper to taste and turn off the heat.
Then, add the cooked chicken, cooked rice and precooked broccoli to the cheese sauce. Give it a good stir to combine.
How to Make the Cereal Topping
Now, gather the ingredients for the topping including the Honey Bunches of Oats, melted butter and some more shredded cheddar cheese. Combine the cereal and melted butter in a medium mixing bowl, stir with a spoon to combine, breaking up any larger pieces as needed.
Transfer chicken, broccoli, rice and cheese sauce mixture to a prepared casserole dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Then, evenly sprinkle the cereal mixture on top.
Finally, put the casserole in the preheated oven. Your house will smell amazing, like fresh honey roasted almonds, as this casserole bakes away in the oven.
This Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole will bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until it is heated through, bubbly and the topping starts to get a nice golden brown.
The cereal and almond topping adds a nice crunch to this Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole. The hint of sweetness from the honey complements the other savory flavors nicely.
With the chicken, broccoli, rice and cheese, this delicious casserole is a one dish meal and is perfect for an easy and healthy family dinner. And, the kids and grown-ups alike get a kick out of having one of their favorite breakfast cereals as part of dinner.
Cereal Isn’t Just For Breakfast
My family enjoys cereal for breakfast, Post Honey Bunches of Oats is one of our favorites. But, cereal isn’t just for breakfast, it also makes a great topping for casseroles, such as this delicious Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole.
This cheesy casserole is so easy to prepare and can be on the table in about 30 minutes, perfect for a quick, weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
Do you enjoy cereal on occasions other than breakfast? Please let me know in the comments below!
Looking for even more ways to enjoy cereal anytime? Check out the great ideas here.
Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets (from about 1 pound)
- 3 tablespoons water
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 3 cups 1% milk
- 2 cups (8 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
- salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 4 cups cubed cooked chicken (from about 2 pounds, ~3-4 chicken breasts)
- 3 cups cooked rice
for the topping
- 1 cup (4 oz) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups cereal - Post Honey Bunches of Oats Almond
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish.
- Put broccoli and 3 tablespoons water in a microwave safe dish and cover. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Drain broccoli and set aside.
- In a large pot, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat.
- When butter is melted, whisk in flour, continue whisking to combine, about 1 minute.
- Gradually pour milk into pot, whisking constantly to combine. Allow mixture to come to a simmer.
- Add 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, a handful at a time to pot, whisking after each addition until cheese is melted.
- Season cheese sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Turn off heat.
- Add the cooked chicken, cooked rice and precooked broccoli to the pot of cheese sauce. Stir well to combine.
- Transfer chicken, rice, broccoli and cheese sauce mixture to prepared casserole dish, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over top of casserole.
- In a medium size mixing bowl, combine Honey Bunches of Oats Almond cereal with melted butter. Stir with a spoon to combine, using spoon to break up any large pieces of cereal as needed.
- Sprinkle cereal mixture evenly on top of casserole.
- Bake casserole in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through, bubbly and the topping begins to get a nice golden brown.
A casserole using cornflakes? I think I am going to make this everyday!
Yum! My kids would go crazy for this!
What is better than the combo of chicken/cheese/broccoli?! I’ve used other cereals as a crunchy topping but not this one yet; will check it out.
Omgosh, this is such a fantastic idea!! What a delicious and easy dinner idea. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!
I love everything in this casserole. And that topping takes it over the top!
What a great casserole…perfect for a weeknight dinner!!
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[…] Typography Adult Coloring Sheets Co-Host Pick by Indah of My Purple World/ Joy Love Food/ Chicken Broccoli Cheese Casserole Co-Host Pick by Evija Roberts of From Evija With Love Flamingo Toes/Vintage Cross Stitch […]
Great easy to follow directions – and sounds simply yummy!
Would love you to come share on the “What’s for Dinner” linky!
http://www.lazygastronome.com/whats-for-dinner-sunday-link-up-32/
Thanks for sharing on the “What’s for Dinner” linky!
A real classic comfort casserole that we just love! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a fantastic day!
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
[…] Adult Coloring Sheets Co-Host Pick by Indah of My Purple World/ Joy Love Food/ Chicken Broccoli Cheese Casserole Co-Host Pick by Evija Roberts of From Evija With Love Flamingo Toes/Vintage Cross Stitch […]
This sounds like the perfect weeknight meal! Pinned!
Hi Joy! I’m stopping in from Let’s Get Real today. Your recipe sure does look delicious. Cheesy goodness and a nice crunchy topping……you just can’t go wrong with that.
Love that you are now showing your kitchen too! Another amazing and yummy looking dish =)
Joy this looks so good, making me hungry!!!
Thank you for stopping by to Linkup!
Pinned to share!!
Mmmmm – looks so tasty!
Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/02/old-san-juan-pigeon-park.html
Who wouldve thought of using that cereal as a crunchy topping for casserole! Looks good!
Now that looks delicious I would love that 🙂
Have a cheesytastic week 🙂
Thanks Steve!
I love casserole and I know the kids would love this combo! What a great addition of crunch added!
Thanks, this is big hit with the kids!
This looks so good!!
Thanks!
My Mom makes a casserole just like this! I need to make this myself! The crunchy topping looks perfect.
Thanks, the topping is so good!
This looks absolutely delicious!! I will have to try it soon!
Thanks Sam!
We often have breakfast for supper. This looks lovely.
Thanks Adele!
Oh my goodness, this looks amazing! I would never have though of using cereal for a topping – will definitely be trying this soon!
Thanks Melissa, I hope you give it a try and enjoy!
Always looking for fun new ideas for a family dinner! Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe!
Hope you give it a try and enjoy!
interesting, i’d never have thought to use cereal though i love a traditional cheesy broccoli casserole!
Thanks, it is a fun twist!
This is the ultimate comfort meal for a family!
Thanks Katerina, we certainly enjoyed it!
We are big fans of broccoli and cheese rice in this house but I never thought of turning it into a casserole like you did, great idea!
Thanks Alecia, it makes for such a great casserole!
What a great idea to use the cereal as your topping. I love the flavor on its own and think it will be perfect over this savory dish.
Thanks Betsy, it really is such a great casserole topping!
I love the crunchy topping! My husband loves this cereal too!
Thanks Analida!
We love Honey Bunches of Oats but I’ve never used it on a casserole! What a great idea! #client
Thanks Stephanie, it really is a great topping for casseroles!
Having cooked chicken and rice in the fridge make putting dinner together super easy. Microwave steaming is the best way to steam broccoli. Why boil a big pot of water or get the pot and steamer out. Great post and yummy recipe, Joy.
Thanks KC!
What an easy way to get a crunchy topping! I bet the kids love it too.
Thanks, it is really so easy, we all loved it!
WOW! I love Honey Bunches of Oats, but had NEVER thought of putting them on a savory dish.
By the way, your pictures are BEAUTIFUL!!
Thanks so much Marjie!
Love that crunchy, sweet, nutty twist! I think it would be great on top of that cheesy casserole!
Thanks Lydia, it really is a great topping!
What a great idea! We love Honey Bunches of Oats. I love this idea. YUM! -client
Thank-you, we all enjoyed this dish so much, the Honey Bunches of Oats are really a great topping for casseroles!
What a clever idea! I would never have thought of using that cereal on top! Plus it just looks like pure comfort food. Great post!
Thanks Denise, this is delicious comfort food for sure!
Ok, I’m going to put Honey Bunches of Almonds on my shopping list. I love all the ingredients in this dish and I know my family with enjoy this too! Printing the recipe now!
Thanks Sandra, it is such a great combination of ingredients, hope you and your family enjoy!
Joy–I have a Rice and Cheese Casserole my family loves–but never would think to put Honey Bunches of Oats on top–what a fabulous twist!
Thanks Kristen, the crunchy cereal and almond topping really is both fun and delicious!