Cheesy Broccoli Rice Chicken Casserole

The last week or so I have been wanting a casserole that had chicken, rice, and broccoli in it. But I couldn't find what I wanted. I found this recipe, but it didn't have chicken. Then I found this one; but I didn't want the crackers on top. So I decided to take the ideas from both of these recipes and make my own up as I went along!

Ingredients: 

For Broccoli - 

1 head of broccolii

2 Tbsp butter

2 cloves of minced garlic

salt and pepper

Other Ingredients - 

12 oz chicken breast, or 1 large chicken breast, cooked and shredded

2 cups uncooked instant brown rice (I used minute brown rice but you can use white rice)

1 3/4 cups chicken broth (I used the chicken broth from cooking the chicken, however you can just use water to make the rice)

4 Tbsp butter

4 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour

2 cups of milk

1-2 tsp Dijon mustard (I used squeezed the bottle one good time)

1/3-1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, I used fresh grated but you don't have to use fresh

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Salt and pepper

Because I can never make good broccoli on the stove top, I looked to the internet for a way to try it in the microwave and found this one from Taste of Home; I didn't completely follow it... Yes, I am not a complete recipe follower! I just used the broccoli, butter, garlic, salt and pepper I listed above, covered and ran it for 4 minutes. Super easy and yummy too!

After the broccoli was done in the microwave I cooked the rice in the microwave for 9 minutes. I decided to use the chicken broth from when I cooked the chicken, because everyone knows rice cooked in chicken broth is way better than rice cooked in water!!

While the microwave was doing its part to cook dinner I started making the cheese sauce. Sauté garlic and butter. Add flour and whisk it together. Slowly add milk... note... slowly! Add mustard, salt, and pepper. Turn off heat and add cheese. Then your cheese sauce is done! 

In the dish I cooked the broccoli in I added the shredded chicken, cooked rice, and stirred it all together.

Add the cheese sauce to the mix and stir it up good! Top with cheese. I baked it at 350 for 10 minutes... Basically until the cheese was all melted.

Serve and enjoy... And yes, I might have had a second helping!!