Dairy-Free Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Casserole

Indulge in comfort food made guilt-free with this satisfying Dairy-Free Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Casserole. Packed with juicy chicken, tender broccoli florets, and perfectly cooked rice, this one-dish wonder is smothered in a creamy, plant-based "cheesy" sauce that delivers bold flavor without any dairy. Featuring wholesome ingredients like nutritional yeast, unsweetened almond milk, and dairy-free cheddar cheese, this casserole is not only allergen-friendly but also rich in nutrients. Topped with a melty golden crust, it's a family-friendly, weeknight dinner favorite that comes together in just one pan before transitioning to the oven for an effortless finish. Perfect for meal prep or gatherings, this recipe is a delicious and healthy twist on a classic comfort food dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
• 2 cups dairy-free cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3.5 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 0.25 cup nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.

Step 3

Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook until browned on each side, about 6 minutes total (the chicken does not need to be fully cooked as it will finish in the oven). Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, followed by the rice. Toast the rice gently for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 5

Mix in the chicken broth, almond milk, nutritional yeast, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Bring to a simmer.

Step 6

While simmering, in a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry, then stir it into the simmering liquid to help thicken.

Step 7

Cut the browned chicken into bite-sized pieces and return to the skillet.

Step 8

Add the broccoli florets, stirring everything to distribute evenly.

Step 9

Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 10

Sprinkle the dairy-free cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 11

Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 12

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and slightly brown.

Step 13

Once baked, let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set.

Step 14

Serve warm and enjoy your delicious, dairy-free cheesy chicken and broccoli rice casserole.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2764.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2891.0

Total Fat 151.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 95.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.3g
Cholesterol 385.6mg	0%
Sodium 8296.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 149.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.8g	0%
Total Sugars 10.0g
Protein 192.9g	0%

Vitamin D 92.4IU	0%
Calcium 3310.3mg	0%
Iron 17.9mg	0%
Potassium 2554.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.8%

Protein: 28.3%

Carbs: 21.9%