Name: Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced; 2 cups cooked white or brown rice; 2 cups broccoli florets, steamed until tender; 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/2 cup milk; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided; 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs (optional); 1 tablespoon melted butter

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If you’re looking for ultimate comfort in a dish that blends creamy, cheesy goodness with wholesome ingredients, let me introduce you to my all-time favorite: Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole. This cozy classic brings tender chicken, fluffy rice, and vibrant broccoli together in a luscious, cheesy sauce—then bakes until bubbly and golden. Whether it’s a chilly weeknight or you want an easy meal to feed a crowd, this casserole is your ticket to family smiles and happy bellies.

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is how approachable the ingredient list is. Each component plays its unique part, contributing comfort, heartiness, or a pop of color to every forkful.

Cooked chicken: Use shredded or diced chicken—rotisserie chicken is an amazing shortcut that adds tons of flavor with minimal effort.
Cooked rice: White or brown rice will both work beautifully here, providing a cozy base that absorbs all the lovely sauce.
Broccoli florets: Steamed until just tender, broccoli adds freshness, color, and a hint of earthy crunch.
Condensed cream of chicken soup: The secret to a luxuriously creamy sauce—swap for cream of mushroom or celery for fun flavor twists.
Sour cream: This adds silkiness and a subtle tang that keeps the casserole from feeling too heavy.
Milk: A splash helps loosen the sauce just enough, making everything meld together perfectly.
Garlic powder: Just a teaspoon provides irresistible savory depth.
Onion powder: For well-rounded background flavor without the need to sauté onions first.
Salt & black pepper: Simple seasonings that make all the other flavors sing.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Divided for both the creamy base and an irresistible bubbling topping.
Crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs (optional): Tossed with butter for a golden, crunchy finish.
Melted butter: Allows that topping to bake up beautifully crisp and golden.

How to Make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Step 1: Prep Your Dish and Preheat

First things first: get your oven heating to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. This step sets you up for easy serving later and ensures that perfect bottom crust we all love is easy to scoop!

Step 2: Mix Up the Creamy Filling

In a large bowl, combine your cooked chicken, rice, bright green broccoli, condensed soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of that luscious cheddar cheese. Stir until every bite is coated in velvety, cheesy goodness. The smell alone as these mix together will have you hungry already!

Step 3: Assemble in Your Baking Dish

Pour the filling into the greased baking dish, using a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread everything evenly. This way, each serving will have the perfect balance of creamy filling, tender chicken, and bits of broccoli.

Step 4: Add the Final Layer

Sprinkle the remaining half cup of cheddar cheese all over the top—don’t be shy. If you want a crunchy topping, toss your crushed crackers or breadcrumbs with the melted butter, then evenly sprinkle over the cheese. This step adds irresistible texture with each bite.

Step 5: Bake to Bubbly Perfection

Slide your casserole into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’re looking for everything to be hot and bubbly with that glorious golden top. Once out, let it rest for five minutes. This makes serving neater and lets all the flavors settle in beautifully.

How to Serve Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Garnishes

Fresh garnishes take the humble Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole to new heights. Scatter chopped fresh parsley or chives across the top for a burst of color and a touch of brightness. For a little crunch, try a few toasted slivered almonds or even a squeeze of lemon juice for balance.

Side Dishes

While Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a complete meal on its own, it pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad, roasted seasonal veggies, or warm dinner rolls. A tangy vinaigrette or simple citrusy slaw also makes for a refreshing contrast to the creamy richness of the casserole.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve the casserole in individual ramekins for personalized portions that feel extra special. Hosting brunch? Spoon the filling into hollowed-out bell peppers and bake for colorful, edible “bowls.” A sprinkle of extra cheese or crunchy topping before serving will turn every plate into a little celebration!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Let the Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole cool to room temperature, then transfer to airtight containers. It’ll keep perfectly in the fridge for up to four days, making it a grab-and-go lunch dream.

Freezing

This casserole is a freezer superstar. Assemble right up to the baking step, wrap tightly with foil or a tight-fitting lid, and freeze for up to three months. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as usual, adding a couple extra minutes if needed.

Reheating

To reheat, pop portions in the microwave for a couple of minutes, or cover with foil and warm the whole dish gently in a 350°F oven until heated through. If your topping needs crisping, uncover for the last few minutes in the oven.

FAQs

Can I use uncooked rice in this casserole?

It’s best to use pre-cooked rice so the consistency is perfect and you won’t end up with crunchy grains. Leftover rice or quick-cook rice packets work in a pinch!

What can I substitute for cream of chicken soup?

You can use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup for a slightly different flavor profile. If you prefer homemade, a quick white sauce thickened with a little flour and chicken broth works great as well.

Is Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole gluten free?

As written, the casserole includes condensed soup and optional cracker topping, which may contain gluten. Swap in gluten-free soup and use gluten-free breadcrumbs for an easy gluten free version!

Can I make this casserole vegetarian?

Absolutely! Omit the chicken and add extra broccoli, or swap in cooked chickpeas or white beans for a plant-based protein punch. A vegetarian “cream of” soup will keep it meat-free.

How do I add extra veggies to this dish?

Stir in some sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or peas along with the broccoli and chicken for added nutrition and color. The creamy base welcomes all sorts of veggie friends!

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole enough as a go-to for easy dinners, potlucks, or whenever you crave a warm hug in a bowl. Let your oven do the hard work while you sit back and wait for that cheesy, bubbly top to appear. Give it a try—your future self (and hungry family) will thank you!

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

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4.9 from 11 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

A comforting and cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole that is perfect for a family dinner or an easy weeknight meal. This casserole is a delicious combination of tender chicken, fluffy rice, and crisp broccoli in a creamy sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

For the casserole:

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
2 cups cooked white or brown rice
2 cups broccoli florets, steamed until tender
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

For the topping:

1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs (optional)
1 tablespoon melted butter

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Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine chicken, rice, broccoli, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Mix well.
Prepare casserole: Pour mixture into the baking dish, spread evenly. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup of cheese on top. Mix crackers or breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over cheese.
Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes until bubbly. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.