Let’s be real—groceries are wild right now! 🛒 So here’s a Budget-Friendly Broccoli Chicken Casserole that’s creamy, cheesy, and so easy to make.
Perfect for meal prep or feeding the whole crew without breaking the bank. 💰
📋 Recipe Card: Budget-Friendly Broccoli Chicken Casserole
⏱️ Total Time: 40 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 4–6
💲 Budget Level: Low
🥘 Ingredients:
- 1½ cups cooked rice (use chicken broth, turmeric, Creole seasoning & 1 bay leaf for extra flavor)
- 2 cups cooked broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 2 chicken breasts, diced and cooked (or use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut)
- 1 tbsp Creole seasoning
- 1 tbsp garlic & herb seasoning
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup milk
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite blend)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Butter or spray, for greasing the baking dish
👩🍳 Instructions:
Cook Rice:
In a rice cooker (or stovetop), cook 1½ cups of rice using chicken broth, a pinch of turmeric, Creole seasoning, and 1 bay leaf. Set aside.
Prepare Chicken:
Dice and season chicken breasts with Creole seasoning and garlic & herb mix. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until fully done.
Shortcut: Use shredded rotisserie chicken to save time.
Mix the Casserole:
In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked rice, chicken, broccoli, cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, milk, and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Season to taste.
Assemble & Bake:
Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Top with the remaining ½ cup of cheese.
Bake:
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes, or until hot and golden on top.
💡 Optional Add-ins: Crushed Ritz crackers, hot sauce, or chopped green onions.
