Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice Casserole

The flavor team

The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.

1. Chicken + mushroomtop 4% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together4,172 recipes

   Shared aroma: 1-butyl acetate (fruity, banana).

2. Rice + chickentop 5% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together4,769 recipes

   Shared aroma: (e,e)-2,4-decadienal (fatty, deep fried).

3. Broccoli + oniontop 6% of all pairs
   Smell alikestrong
   Cooked together3,294 recipes

   Shared aroma: coumarin (sweet, hay).

4. Butter + milktop 7% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together81,283 recipes

   Shared aroma: (z)-4-heptenal (biscuit, cream).

5. Mushroom + buttertop 7% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together12,525 recipes

   Shared aroma: trans-2-decenal (waxy, orange).

Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs

What each ingredient does

Instant rice

Forms the bulk of the casserole and absorbs liquid as it bakes, giving body to the dish.

Cream of mushroom soup

Adds creamy binding and moisture so the casserole holds together when baked.

Cream of chicken soup

Adds creamy binding and savory flavor while keeping the casserole moist.

Processed cheese

Melts into a smooth sauce that coats the rice, chicken and broccoli.

Butter

Adds richness and fat, contributing flavor and a silky mouthfeel.

Chicken

Provides the protein and meaty texture that makes the casserole a main dish.

The step that matters

Swap the broccoli

How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (rice, chicken, cream, mushroom, butter, milk, onion):

1. Potatofits better
2. Leekfits better
3. Asparagusfits better
4. Broccolithe original

Fit is the average pairing score against rice, chicken, cream, mushroom, butter, milk, onion. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.