My Mom's Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 1/2 lbs cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 (1 lb) bag frozen broccoli florets or 1 (1 lb) bag frozen broccoli cuts
• 1 1/2 cups raw rice
• salt
• paprika
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese or 8 ounces cracker barrel cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350.
• 2 start the broccoli and rice:.
• 3 cook broccoli and rice as per the package instructions.
• 4 when broccoli is done, drain, let cool and dice.
• 5 mix chicken, broccoli, and rice in a greased 9 x 13 pan.
• 6 for the sauce:.
• 7 heat half and half in microwave til bubbles appear around sides of bowl, but it does not boil. set aside.
• 8 melt butter in small saucepan.
• 9 add flour and stir crazily til incorporated but not browned.
• 10 add half and half.
• 11 bring mixture to a boil, whisking continuously.
• 12 reduce heat, and gradually add cheese, whisking to incorporate, til melted.
• 13 add cream of mushroom soup gradually, whisking til incorporated.
• 14 pour sauce over the dry ingredients and combine well.
• 15 season to taste with salt.
• 16 cover casserole with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
• 17 uncover and let bake 15 minutes.
• 18 garnish with paprika.