Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Chicken And Rice Casserole
Ready to Eat?
Hey there, my fellow culinary adventurer! Let’s talk about the magic that happens when your Instant Pot becomes your new best buddy in the kitchen. If you’re looking for something that feels like a warm hug after a long day (and let’s be real, don’t we all need that?), look no further than this Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Chicken and Rice Casserole. Seriously, it’s like a comforting blanket wrapped around your taste buds—and no ironing required!
You might be thinking, “Casserole? Isn’t that just a fancy way of saying ‘leftovers dumped in a dish’?” Oh, my friend, you couldn’t be more wrong. This dish is not just a hot mess of everything you had lying around. It’s a flavor explosion of cheesy goodness and tender chicken, all cooked to perfection in a fraction of the time—with the help of our trusty Instant Pot, of course!
Why This Dish Slaps
Let me break it down for you. First off, this recipe is a total time-saver. Who has hours to whip up a gourmet meal on a weeknight? Not me! Using the Instant Pot means you can have a delicious, hearty dinner on the table in about 30 minutes. Yep, I said 30 minutes—enough time for your favorite reality show to finish one episode!
Plus, one of the best things about this dish? It’s ridiculously easy to make. If you can push a few buttons and stir up some cheese (hello, cheesy dreams!), you can make this casserole. Life is too short to be in the kitchen all day, so this recipe is perfect for anyone wanting to spend more time enjoying the food than cooking it. Grab your apron, and let’s dive into what you’ll need!
Grab These Ingredients
You’re going to want the following superstar ingredients to create your delicious Planet Casserole:
- 2 Tablespoons oil (Can you say ‘sizzle’? Yes, please!)
- 1-1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast (The MVP of protein)
- 1 onion, chopped (Bring on the tears, right?)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (Because garlic makes everything better)
- Salt and pepper to taste (Flavor bomb time!)
- 1/2 packet ranch seasoning mix (We’re getting fancy here)
- 1-1/2 cups white rice (Oh, the carbs! But soooo worth it)
- 2-1/2 cups chicken broth (Liquid gold)
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire (Sounds fancy, right? It’s a flavor enhancer!)
- 1/2 cup milk (Makes it creamy like a dream)
- 2 Tablespoons flour (Let’s thicken things up)
- 1-1/2 cups frozen broccoli (The green we need to feel a tad healthier)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (Can’t go wrong with cheese, am I right?)
Step-by-Step Vibes
Time to unleash your inner chef! Follow these steps, and you’ll have a fabulous casserole in no time.
Press the Sauté button on your Instant Pot. Wait until that beauty says "Hot," and then add the oil. Grab a glass of wine—it’s about to get saucy!
Add the chicken breast cubes and chopped onion to the pot. Cook until the chicken is mostly white (not pink, please) and the onion has softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Toss in a tablespoon of minced garlic and let the aromas take over for about a minute.
Pour in the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce. Don’t skimp on the deglazing—scrape the bottom of the pot to avoid those pesky burnt bits. We want flavor, not stress!
Add the uncooked white rice, and give it a little stir. Then sprinkle that salt, pepper, and ranch seasoning mix on top. Don’t you dare stir it again. Trust the process!
Press cancel to stop the sauté function. Secure the lid, move the pressure valve to sealing, and press the pressure cook button set to high for 5 minutes. Pat yourself on the back—you’re halfway there!
While that’s cooking, mix up that milk and flour slurry in a small bowl. Set it aside, because good things come to those who wait.
Run hot water over the frozen broccoli to thaw it out, then drain it. We want that green goodness but not a soggy mess!
Once the timer beeps and the Instant Pot has finished the pressure cooking cycle, let it naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Then carefully switch to venting to release any remaining pressure. Just wait for that little pin to drop like it’s a mic drop moment!
Remove the lid and pour in the milk and flour slurry. Stir it up and add the thawed broccoli.
Finally, toss in that glorious shredded cheese and stir until everything is coated in cheesy love.
Dig in, and enjoy your masterpiece!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
We’ve all had those moments in the kitchen where things go disastrously wrong, right? Let’s skip those, shall we?
- Forget to deglaze? Oh boy, get ready for a burnt flavor! Don’t be shy—scrape that pot.
- Not seasoning enough? Seriously, under-seasoned food is like a bad breakup. Don’t skimp on the spices.
- Skipping the resting time? Give the dish a minute to chill after cooking. It needs a moment!
Alternatives & Substitutions
Feeling adventurous? Here are some fun ideas to switch things up!
- No ranch seasoning? Try Italian herbs. They’re like the cool cousins of ranch flavor.
- Switch white rice for brown rice if you’re feeling healthy. Just remember to adjust the cooking time!
- Add extra veggies! Bell peppers and carrots can join that party too; the more, the merrier!
Curious? Here’s Answers
- Can I use oil instead of butter? Sure thing! But butter, obviously, just brings that extra richness.
- Can I prep this early? Yes! Just keep the dairy and cheese separate until you’re ready to cook.
- Can I make this vegetarian? You bet! Just swap the chicken for chickpeas and use veggie broth.
- Can I freeze it? Totally! Just portion it out, and you’ve got an instant meal for any busy day.
- Does it reheat well? Yup! Just pop it in the microwave, and you’ll be back in business!
Time to Feast
Well, look at you—a homemade hero! This Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Chicken and Rice Casserole will be the star of your dinner table. Share it with friends, family, or simply enjoy it solo while binging shows on the couch.
Feel free to take a pic of your delicious creation—who wouldn’t want to show off their culinary skills? This dish is comfort food gold. So grab a plate, dig in, and bask in the cheesy, chickeny glory you just whipped up. Trust me, you’re the kitchen rockstar now! 🎉
Broccoli Cheese Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Press the Sauté button on your Instant Pot. Wait until that beauty says 'Hot,' and then add the oil.
- Add the chicken breast cubes and chopped onion to the pot. Cook until the chicken is mostly white and the onion has softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Toss in a tablespoon of minced garlic and let the aromas take over for about a minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce. Deglaze by scraping the bottom of the pot.
- Add the uncooked white rice, and give it a little stir. Then sprinkle that salt, pepper, and ranch seasoning mix on top. Don’t stir it again.
- Press cancel to stop the sauté function. Secure the lid, move the pressure valve to sealing, and press the pressure cook button set to high for 5 minutes.
- While that’s cooking, mix up the milk and flour slurry in a small bowl.
- Run hot water over the frozen broccoli to thaw it out, then drain it.
- Once the timer beeps and the Instant Pot has finished the pressure cooking cycle, let it naturally release pressure for 10 minutes.
- Carefully switch to venting to release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the lid and pour in the milk and flour slurry. Stir it up and add the thawed broccoli.
- Finally, toss in that glorious shredded cheese and stir until everything is coated.
- Dig in, and enjoy your masterpiece!