Step 1

Melt butter and heat oil in a pot over high heat. Add onion and garlic, cook for 1 minute. Add chicken and cook until it changes from pink to white. (Note 5)

Step 2

Turn stove DOWN to medium. Add flour and stir for 1 minute.

Step 3

Add half the milk, stirring as you go, and once incorporated into the flour add the rest of the milk and stir.

Step 4

Add broth, rice, thyme and a just pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 5

Stir, bring to simmer, then cover. Turn down to medium low and cook for 12 minutes.

Step 6

Remove lid – there should still be liquid on the surface. Working quickly, add broccoli, push down so it’s partly submerged, cover and cook for a further 3 minutes until broccoli is just cooked.

Step 7

Preheat grill/broiler. Remove lid and stir through half the cheese – don’t worry if it looks a bit too saucy, excess liquid gets sucked up in minutes (see video). Smooth surface, top with remaining cheese. Grill/broil until melted (or just put lid on and allow to melt with residual heat on turned off stove).

Step 8

Serve immediately, garnished with parsley if desired.