You Don’t Have to Give Up Casseroles
For a long time, casseroles have gotten a bad reputation. Not because of what they are, but because of what they’ve turned into. Boxes, packets, and especially those cans of “cream of” soup that somehow became the base of everything.
And here’s the thing, a lot of people have already started moving away from that. They’re reading labels, paying attention, and realizing those shortcuts don’t line up with how they want to eat anymore. But once you take those out, it can feel like casseroles just don’t work the same way. Like maybe casseroles were only easy because of those ingredients.
It Was Never the Cans
A casserole was never meant to come from a can. At its core, it’s just a way of cooking. Chicken, rice, vegetables, and a liquid that brings everything together and lets it cook in one dish.
The problem wasn’t the casserole. The problem was replacing real ingredients with something pre-made and hoping it would carry all the flavor.
What People Are Realizing
More and more people aren’t reaching for those cans anymore. Not because someone told them not to, but because once you start looking at ingredients, it just doesn’t make sense.
So now the question becomes, what do I use instead?
This is where a lot of recipes fall short. They either still rely on processed shortcuts dressed up differently, or they swing too far the other way and become complicated.
You’re Not Giving Anything Up
You’re not giving up easy meals, one-pan dinners, or something you can put in the oven and walk away from. You’re just changing what goes into it.
And once you do that, you realize pretty quickly that casseroles still have a place at your table.
Chicken, Broccoli & Rice Casserole
Equipment
- 1 10 inch cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 1-1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
- 1¼ cups chicken stock
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter, for toasting rice
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese devided
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1-2 tsp hot sauce
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
- 1-1½ cups broccoli florets, cut small
Instructions
Preheat
Heat the oven to 375°F.Build the Base
In a 10-inch cast iron skillet set over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil.Add the onion, if using, and cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.Stir in the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.Brown the Chicken
Add the chicken in a single layer and let it sit undisturbed to develop light browning.Stir and continue cooking until lightly browned on the outside, but not fully cooked.Toast the Rice
Add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Once melted, stir in the rice.Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring, until the grains are coated and lightly toasted.Season
Add the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes.Stir well to coat the rice and chicken evenly.Add Liquid and Broccoli
Pour in the chicken stock. Add the broccoli and the ½ cup shredded cheese.Stir to combine, making sure the rice is evenly distributed in the liquid.Bring to a Simmer
Place the skillet over medium heat and bring the mixture to a steady simmer.Bake
Cover tightly with a lid or foil and transfer to the oven.Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.Finish with Cheese
Remove the skillet from the oven and uncover.Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheese evenly over the top.Broil
Place under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.Rest
Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving so the rice can finish setting.
Notes
- Cut the broccoli into small pieces so it cooks evenly with the rice.Add the broccoli raw so it cooks through in the oven and keeps its texture.Toasting the rice in butter adds flavor and helps keep the grains from becoming mushy.Taste the liquid before baking, it should be well seasoned since the rice will absorb and mellow the flavors.A mix of cheeses like cheddar and mozzarella works best.