Chicken Broccoli Rice Supreme

This is different then your usual Chicken & Broccoli Rice Casserole recipe.  I like all the other ones out there that I have had, but I love this one.  It is a little different and just had the perfect textures and flavors in it.

Chicken Broccoli Rice Supreme 

1 bag frozen broccoli

3-4 chicken breast ~ cooked and chunked

3 cups shredded cheddar cheese ~ divided

2 tubes Ritz Crackers ~ crushed

1 stick butter ~ melted

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Sauce

1/3 cup butter ~ melted

1/4 cup corn starch ~ dissolved in 1/2 cup cold water

1/3 cup chicken broth

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 cups milk

1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (taken from measurement above)

In a greased 9x13 pan, layer broccoli and chicken.  Set pan aside.  in a soucepan, over medium heat, combine butter {melted}, dissolved cornstarch, chicken broth, seasonings, and milk.  Stir well and continue stirring until sauce comes to a light boil and has thickened.  Turn down heat to low and add 1 1/2 cups grated cheese.  Stir until melted.  Pour over broccoli and chicken.  Top with 1 1/2 cups cheese. 

Melt remaining butter and add poppy seeds and stir well.  In a small mixing bowl, dump crushed crackers {Not crushed too small} in and mix with butter and poppy seed mixture.  Mix well and sprinkle crumbs over chicken mixture.  Top with remaining cheese. 

Bake for 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until bubbly.  Bake uncovered. 

Serve over cooked rice {or noodles.} Just make enough to feed family or guests. 

{I usually double the sauce}