Looking for the ultimate comfort food? This chicken broccoli rice casserole checks all the boxes! It's the kind of cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole that makes everyone at the table happy - creamy, filling, and loaded with flavor. After years of perfecting this recipe, I've found the secret to making every bite as delicious as the last.
More Than Just Another Casserole
This chicken broccoli and rice casserole isn't your average weeknight dinner. It's that perfect combination of protein, vegetables, and carbs that somehow tastes like a warm hug in a dish. Whether you're feeding picky eaters or hungry teenagers, this recipe delivers satisfaction every time.
Why This Recipe Becomes a Family Staple
Let's talk about what makes this casserole your new favorite! Not only is it a complete meal in one dish, but it's also incredibly adaptable. Use rotisserie chicken for quick prep, choose your favorite rice variety, and adjust the cheese level to your liking. Plus, it's perfect for meal prep and tastes even better the next day!
Jump to:
- More Than Just Another Casserole
- Why This Recipe Becomes a Family Staple
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Ingredients
- Instructions
- Substitutions
- Creative Variations to Try
- Equipment
- Essential Tools:
- Storage and Reheating Guide
- Casserole Secret Worth Sharing
- Final Thoughts on This Cozy Classic
- FAQs
- Related
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Ingredients
Let's gather everything needed for this comforting dish:
Base Ingredients:
- Chicken breast or thighs
- Fresh broccoli florets
- White or brown rice
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Cheddar cheese
- Onion and garlic
- Milk or cream
- Chicken broth
- Seasonings
For Extra Flavor:
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh herbs
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Optional red pepper flakes
For the Topping:
- Extra shredded cheese
- Crispy fried onions
- Buttery breadcrumbs
- Fresh parsley
Why These Ingredients Create Magic:
Creating the perfect cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole starts with quality ingredients. The combination of two kinds of cheese provides both flavor and texture, while using both fresh garlic and garlic powder creates layers of flavor. Fresh broccoli (though frozen works too) adds both nutrition and a pop of color to your chicken broccoli and rice casserole.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Let's break down this cozy dish into simple steps:
Preparation
- Get started:
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Grease 9x13 baking dish
- Cook rice
- Steam broccoli until crisp-tender
- Prepare components:
- Cut chicken into bite-size pieces
- Chop onions and garlic
- Shred cheese
- Mix seasonings
Assembly Steps
- Create the base:
- Cook chicken until golden
- Sauté onions and garlic
- Combine with soup and broth
- Stir in seasonings
- Layer the casserole:
- Mix rice with sauce
- Add chicken and broccoli
- Stir in half the cheese
- Top with remaining cheese
Baking Instructions
- Cover and bake:
- 25 minutes covered
- 10-15 minutes uncovered
- Until bubbly and golden
- Let rest 5-10 minutes
Pro Tip: For the best cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole, don't overcook your broccoli before assembling - it'll continue cooking in the oven!
Substitutions
Let's explore ways to adapt this chicken broccoli rice casserole to your needs:
Protein Options:
- Chicken breast → Rotisserie chicken
- Fresh chicken → Leftover turkey
- Regular chicken → Canned chicken
- Meat → Plant-based alternatives
Rice Choices:
- White rice → Brown rice
- Regular rice → Cauliflower rice
- Long grain → Quick-cooking rice
- Plain rice → Pre-seasoned rice
Veggie Swaps:
- Fresh broccoli → Frozen broccoli
- Just broccoli → Mixed vegetables
- Regular broccoli → Broccolini
- Fresh → Steam-in-bag variety
Sauce Alternatives:
- Cream of mushroom → Cream of chicken
- Dairy milk → Plant-based milk
- Regular cheese → Low-fat options
- Cream soups → Made-from-scratch sauce
Creative Variations to Try
Classic Twists:
- Extra Cheesy: • Three cheese blend • Cheese sauce base • Crispy cheese topping
- Ranch Style: • Add ranch seasoning • Use ranch dressing • Top with bacon
- Mediterranean: • Add sun-dried tomatoes • Use feta cheese • Add Greek seasonings
- Tex-Mex: • Add taco seasoning • Use Mexican cheese blend • Top with crushed tortilla chips
Remember: Whatever variation you choose for your chicken broccoli and rice casserole, keep the ratios similar to ensure proper cooking!
Equipment
Let's get your kitchen ready for this chicken broccoli rice casserole:
Essential Tools:
- 9x13 baking dish
- Large skillet
- Rice cooker or pot
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoons
Nice-to-Have Items:
- Casserole carrier
- Microplane for garlic
- Cheese grater
- Steam basket
- Aluminum foil
- Storage containers
Storage and Reheating Guide
Fresh Storage:
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
- Cover tightly
- Cool completely first
- Store in portions
Freezing Instructions:
- Before baking:
- Assemble completely
- Cover well
- Freeze up to 3 months
- Thaw overnight
- After baking:
- Cool completely
- Portion if desired
- Wrap tightly
- Use within 2 months
Reheating Tips:
- Oven (best method): 350°F
- Microwave: Add splash of milk
- Cover while reheating
- Stir occasionally
P.S: This cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole actually tastes even better the next day!
Casserole Secret Worth Sharing
Let me share something that transformed my chicken broccoli rice casserole from good to "everyone asks for the recipe" status. One evening, while making this for a potluck, I ran out of regular chicken broth. In a pinch, I used the liquid from reconstituting dried mushrooms (I always keep some in my pantry). That rich, savory mushroom liquid added such incredible depth that it's now my secret weapon!
Here's exactly how: I soak 3-4 dried porcini mushrooms in hot water for 20 minutes, then use that deeply flavored liquid in place of some of the regular broth. The mushrooms themselves get finely chopped and added to the sauce. It doesn't make the cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole taste mushroomy - instead, it adds this mysterious umami richness that makes everyone wonder what makes it so special.
Top Tip: Strain the mushroom liquid through a coffee filter first to remove any grit. Trust me, this simple step elevates your casserole to restaurant-worthy status!
Final Thoughts on This Cozy Classic
You're now ready to create a chicken broccoli rice casserole that'll become your family's new favorite! Whether you're cooking for a busy weeknight, meal prepping for the week ahead, or bringing a dish to share, this recipe delivers that perfect balance of comfort and nutrition that makes everyone happy. Remember that mushroom broth trick - it's what transforms this from a good casserole into something truly memorable.
For more dinner inspiration, try our authentic boulders enchilada recipe for a Mexican feast, or cozy up with our classic Tim Walz hot dish recipe. Each brings its own heartwarming comfort to your dinner table!
Did you make this casserole? Share your creation with us! Save this recipe by pinning it to your favorite board, and follow our daily cooking adventures on Instagram and share the results with us. We'd love to see your version of this comfort food classic!
Donot forget to Rate this recipe and join our casserole-loving family!
FAQs
What to serve with chicken broccoli rice casserole?
While this casserole is a complete meal, you can round it out with:
Green salad with vinaigrette
Crusty garlic bread
Roasted vegetables For a special occasion, try pairing it with our Italian drunken noodles for a feast, or end the meal with a sweet treat like our mounds cake.
Can you freeze chicken broccoli rice casserole?
Absolutely! You can freeze this casserole either before or after baking. For best results, wrap unbaked casserole tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed, adding 10-15 minutes to the cooking time if still cold.
How long to bake chicken broccoli rice casserole?
For the perfect cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole, bake at 350°F for 25 minutes covered, then uncover and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until golden and bubbly. If starting with a cold or frozen casserole, add extra time and check internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Is eating rice, chicken and broccoli healthy?
Yes! This chicken broccoli and rice casserole combines lean protein, whole grains (if using brown rice), and vegetables. It's a balanced meal that provides essential nutrients. Control portions and cheese amount to match your dietary needs.
Can you cook raw chicken and broccoli together?
While you can, for the best cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole results, we recommend cooking the chicken first, then adding the broccoli later to prevent overcooking. This ensures perfectly tender chicken and crisp-tender broccoli.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Equipment
- 1 19x13 baking dish (For assembling and baking the casserole)
- 1 Large skillet (For cooking chicken and sautéing onions)
- 1 Rice cooker or pot (To cook the rice)
- 1 Mixing bow (For combining ingredients)
- 1 Measuring cups/spoons (For accurate measurements)
- 1 Ssharp knife (For chopping chicken, onions, and broccoli)
- 1 Cutting board (For chopping ingredients)
- 1 Wooden spoon (For mixing and stirring)
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken breast or thighs - Cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups Fresh broccoli florets - Steam until crisp-tender
- 3 cups Cooked White or brown rice - Use pre-cooked rice
- 1 can 10.5 oz Cream of mushroom soup - Substitute with cream of chicken if preferred
- 1 ½ cups Shredded cheddar cheese - Divide for casserole and topping
- 1 Small Onion - Finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic - Minced
- ½ cup Milk or cream - Adjust for desired creaminess
- ½ cup Chicken broth - For flavor and sauce consistency
- ¼ cup Grated parmesan cheese - Optional for extra flavor
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper - To taste
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder - For seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - For flavor
- ¼ teaspoon Red pepper flakes - Optional for slight heat
- ½ cup Crispy fried onions - For topping
- ¼ cup Buttery breadcrumbs - Optional for extra crunch
- 2 tablespoon Chopped Fresh parsley - For garnish
Instructions
Step 1
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 baking dish. Cook rice according to package instructions and set aside.
- Steam broccoli until crisp-tender and set aside.
Step 2
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chicken and cook until golden and fully cooked. Set aside
Step 3
- In the same skillet, sauté onions and garlic until softened and fragrant.
Step 4
- In a large bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, milk, chicken broth, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- 5 In the greased baking dish, layer the cooked rice, chicken, broccoli, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Pour the soup mixture evenly over the layers.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
Step 6
- Top with crispy fried onions, buttery breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Step 7
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
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