chicken, mushroom & broccoli bake

chicken, mushroom and broccoli bake

living away from family sometimes makes me miss the familiar..

the familiar faces, familiar roads, familiar mountains, and the familiar food.

this is one of my favorite recipes that my mom would make growing up.

i tweaked it a little bit, but when i took a bite i instantly felt like i was home!

here's to the familiar & the new..a good combo! XO enjoy!

--for the bake--
2-3 cooked chicken breasts, cubed or shredded 
2 cups cooked broccoli
2 cups sauteéd mushrooms
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 cup bread crumbs {i make them myself...just break up 2 slices of whole wheat bread into small pieces, and cook in a frying pan with enough butter to lightly coat them. cook until slightly crispy, then sprinkle on top.}
--for the sauce--
3 tblspoons flour
3 tbls butter
2 cups milk
8 ounces cheese {any type you prefer..i have used cheddar, asiago, parmesan, and mozzerella..as well as a blend! all good.}
pepper, to taste

^^this sauce is a much healthier alternative to mayo or cream of chicken 

which is usually added to these kinds of dishes! ^^

--directions--

• preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• spray a 9x13 bake pan with cooking spray. combine rice, chicken breasts, broccoli and mushrooms in a bowl. pour into baking dish.
• next, combine flour and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. *stir often, so it doesn't burn!*
• once combined, lower heat and gradually add milk. stir until thickened.
• once sauce is thick, pour in cheese and stir until it is melted in. add pepper, to taste.
• take sauce off the heat, and pour over chicken-broccoli-rice-mushroom combo, covering everything.
• sprinkle the top with bread crumbs and any leftover cheese.
• put in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes, until heated through and bubbling.

enjoy! xo