Happy Snowy Day to you! There's supposed to be -40 degree windchill tonight!! NEGATIVE FORTY!!!! Yikes!!

So, I thought I would share a comforty, cheesy, and warm casserole today! Aaron & I had it for lunch & it's wonderful! And we have looooooots of leftovers! Look at this dish!!

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Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Rice Casserole

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

2 cups (uncooked) medium grain brown rice (could use white rice)

Chicken broth

3 cups broccoli

1/4 cup sliced green onions

2 chicken breasts, cut into chunks & seasoned with salt, pepper & garlic powder

Non-stick spray

5 teaspoons all-purpose flour

2 cups skim milk, divided

1/3 cup sour cream

12oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Cook rice according to package directions, using chicken  broth instead of water. When rice has 5-7 minutes left until fully cooked, add broccoli and green onions into the pot to steam.

2. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet sprayed with non-stick spray over medium-high heat and cook seasoned chicken until done. Remove to a plate and carefully wipe out the inside of the skillet with a paper towel.

3. Turn heat down to medium then whisk together flour and 1/2 cup milk in the skillet. Gradually add remaining 1 1/2 cups milk while whisking constantly, until mixture is boiling. Turn off heat and add 8oz shredded cheese and sour cream. Stir until smooth. Season sauce with garlic powder, salt and pepper then mix.

4. Combine cooked rice/broccoli/green onion mixture, chicken and cheese sauce, then stir to combine. Pour mixture into a non-stick sprayed 9×13 casserole dish and top with remaining 4oz of cheese. Broil until cheese is golden brown. Let casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving.

You can taste it right??! :) Although this recipe isn't probably labeled "healthy", I like it because it doesn't use any canned soups... you know? Those "cream of who knows what" soups. Don't get me wrong, I like them in my cheesy potatoes, but they are horrible for you. :) So, enjoy the natural cheesy goodness!