6-8cupscooked rice, I like Pearl or Japanese style rice for this dish
4-5cupschopped broccoli
1/2cupbutter
1/2cupflour
2 teaspoons chicken base flavor , Better than Bullion
1teaspooneach salt and pepper
4cupsmilk, skim
1cupmayo, regular or low fat
4cupscooked chicken
1cupmilk
1-2cupsgrated cheddar cheese
Alternative (kid favorite) Favorite Recipe:
6-8cupscooked rice
4-5cupschopped broccoli
4cupschicken, about 2-3 large chicken breast halves
2tablespoonolive or canola oil
salt and pepper
2can cream of chicken soup regular or low fat
2cans milk
1cupmayo light or regular
1-2tablespoonsbottled lemon juice
2cupsgrated cheese
more milk to thin, if necessary
Instructions
Cook rice, set aside.
Steam broccoli by placing on a plate or non metal pie plate with about 3 tablespoons of water, cover with a damp paper towel and microwave on high for about 3 minutes or until bright green. Remove and set aside.
Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add flour and cook while whisking and butter and flour make a smooth paste. Cook for about 2 minutes. Add one package liquid chicken flavoring and salt and pepper. Slowly add milk to the mixture a little at a time, whisking while adding milk.
Cook until mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes on medium-medium high heat. Continue whisking.
Add mayo, whisking until smooth. Add broccoli, chicken and cheese. If the mixture is too thick, add an additional cup of milk until desired consistency.
If baking (not necessary) grease a 9x13 pan. Spread cooked rice (it's okay if it is still hot) into the dish. Pour chicken and broccoli mixture over the rice. Bake for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Top with additional grated cheese last ten minutes of baking.
If serving without baking all ingredients together, scoop rice onto individual plates and spoon broccoli and chicken mixture over the top of the rice.
Alternative Favorite Recipe:
Cut up the chicken and place in a large pan with oil over medium-high heat. Cook until no longer pink, about 3-4 minutes. Add chopped broccoli to chicken in pan, cook until broccoli is bright green (about 3 minutes) . Add salt and pepper. Whisk in the soup, milk, mayo, lemon juice and grated cheese. Continue to cook until smooth and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
Serve over top of cooked rice.
Notes
I like to use one of the following for the homemade version: Better Than Bullion or Swanson brand "Flavor Boost" 100% Natural Concentrated Broth. You may also use bullion cubes(2) or other types of chicken flavoring.
It is not necessary to use the flavoring in the second recipe, the canned soup has plenty of chicken flavoring.