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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

- by Admin

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is an easy dinner the whole family will love, tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and rice in a cheesy sauce.

This chicken broccoli casserole is a simple recipe made from scratch, no canned soups in this one or this Chicken Stuffing Casserole. Perfectly seasoned and baked to perfection, this casserole is a wholesome and delicious meal that will leave you craving more.

You might also want to try my Mexican Rice Casserole and Ultimate Chicken Casserole for another easy weeknight dinner!

Why this recipe works

This is an easy chicken dinner using simple ingredients the entire family will love like my Chicken Pot Pie Casserole or Creamy Chicken Casserole. The tender chicken and broccoli, fluffy rice, and cheesy creamy sauce come together to create a comforting and delicious meal that is sure to please your taste buds. This is a complete one-pan meal like my Mushroom Chicken and Rice or this Tater Tot Casserole served with a side of my Garlic Bread.

Ingredients needed for Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

All the ingredients needed for the casserole.
  • Chicken: I use chicken tenders but you can certainly use chicken breasts, boneless skinless chicken thighs, or even leftover rotisserie chicken.
  • Rice: Long grain rice is recommended, or leftover rice for an easy shortcut, brown rice can also be used if you prefer.
  • Chicken broth: I use low sodium, but regular will also work.
  • Broccoli: I use fresh broccoli but frozen broccoli will also work.
  • Cheese: I like to use Colby cheese but cheddar cheese is also delicious.

How to make this cheesy chicken casserole

Water, butter and rice placed in a saucepan, covered and cooked until done.
  • Step 1: In a medium saucepan add the rice ingredients and bring to a boil, place a lid on top.
  • Step 2: Remove the lid and fluff with a fork.
Broccoli being steamed in a pot and the Ritz crackers mixture mixed in a small bowl.
  • Step 3: In a medium saucepan add the broccoli and steam it until slightly tender.
  • Step 4: Add the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter in a small bowl and mix.
Diced chicken being sauteed in a skillet them removed and onions, garlic and flour added.
  • Step 5: In a large skillet add olive oil and saute the diced chicken until done then remove to a plate.
  • Step 6: Add the butter and diced onions, saute until translucent and add in garlic. Whisk in flour.
Chicken broth poured into a skillet followed by milk and seasonings.
  • Step 7: Whisk in the chicken stock and bring to a low simmer.
  • Step 8: Reduce heat and add in the milk and seasonings.
Chicken, broccoli, chicken and rice added into the creamy broth. Crushed Ritz crackers sprinkled on top.
  • Step 9: Add back in the chicken, broccoli, rice, and cheese and mix.
  • Step 10: Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the chicken mixture followed by the buttery crackers mixture and bake until golden brown!
A wooden spoon laying in a dish with chicken casserole.

Recipe tips

  • For a short cut use a store-bought rotisserie, canned chicken, or leftover shredded chicken breast from my Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken or my Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken.
  • You can make your rice in a rice cooker or even use leftover rice.
  • If you don’t have a 12-inch oven-safe skillet transfer everything to a 9×13 casserole baking dish.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
  • Ritz crackers are my favorite, but potato chips are also delicious or even Panko bread crumbs. Cornflakes and French fried onions also add a great crunch.

A serving of chicken broccoli casserole on a plate with a side of garlic bread.

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is an easy dinner the whole family will love, tender chicken, fresh broccoli and rice in a cheesy sauce.
Prep Time10minutes 
Cook Time45minutes 
Total Time55minutes 
Servings6
Calories595

Ingredients

  • 1 cup long-grain rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 7 tablespoons butter divided
  • 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3 cups broccoli
  • 1 sleeve Rits Crackers
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken diced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
  • 2 cups shredded cheese

Instructions

  • Heat a medium saucepan on medium-high heat add rice, water, 1 tablespoon of butter, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt give it a stir and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed, remove the lid and fluff with a fork. Set aside
  • Add the broccoli to a saucepan with about 1.2 inches of water cover and steam for 2-4 minutes drain the broccoli and set aside. You can also steam the broccoli in the microwave if you prefer.
  • In a small bowl add the crushed Ritz crackers and 2 tablespoons of melted butter and mix until combined and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  • In a large oven-safe 12-inch skillet on medium-high heat add the olive oil and the diced chicken and cook for 5 minutes or until browned. Remove to a plate.
  • In the same skillet add 4 tablespoons of butter and melt, then add in the diced onion and cook 2-3 minutes then add in the minced garlic and cook another minute. Sprinkle in the flour and stir.
  • Whisk in the chicken stock and bring to a simmer.
  • Add in the milk and seasoning and whisk until combined.
  • Add in the chicken, broccoli, rice, and 1 1/4 cups of the cheese and stir. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top then sprinkle the Ritz cracker mixture on top.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

Notes

For a short cut use a store-bought rotisserie, canned chicken, or leftover shredded chicken about 2 cups.

You can make your rice in a rice cooker or even use leftover rice you’ll need 3 cups of cooked rice.

I use colby cheese but cheddar, or jack cheese works great also.

If you don’t have a 12-inch oven-safe skillet transfer everything to a 9×13 casserole dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 595kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 44gFat: 46gSaturated Fat: 21gPolyunsaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 186mgSodium: 760mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7g
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