How to Make a Delicious Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Chicken broccoli rice casserole is the ultimate comfort food. With chicken, rice, broccoli and a creamy sauce, it’s a hearty satisfying one-dish meal that the whole family will love. If you’re looking for an easy recipe to add to your weeknight dinner rotation, this cheesy casserole is it!

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this casserole, you’ll need:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – I use 4 breasts, but you can use more or less depending on how much chicken you want. Dice or shred the cooked chicken.

• Broccoli florets – Fresh or frozen. I use about 8 cups.

• Long grain white rice – Cooked. You’ll need about 3 cups.

• Butter – For cooking the onion and making the sauce. I use 6 tbsp.

• Onion – One yellow onion, diced.

• Garlic – One clove, grated.

• All-purpose flour – Thickens the sauce. You’ll need 1/4 cup

• Milk – I use 4 cups of whole milk

• Chicken broth – For cooking the rice. Use whatever you have on hand.

• Cream cheese – Softened, cut into cubes. You’ll need 4 oz.

• Parmesan cheese – Grated. You’ll need 1/2 cup.

• Processed cheese – Like Velveeta, cubed. Use 8 oz.

• Sharp cheddar cheese – Shredded. I use 2 cups.

• Crushed crackers – Like Ritz. You’ll need 1 cup for the topping.

• Olive oil, spices, salt and pepper – For seasoning.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps for an easy chicken broccoli rice casserole:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and butter a 13×9 inch baking dish.

2. Cook the broccoli until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3. Cook the chicken breasts until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Shred or dice the chicken.

4. Cook the onion and garlic in butter until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

5. Whisk in the flour, then slowly whisk in the milk. Cook until thickened, about 4 minutes.

6. Add the cream cheese, Parmesan, processed cheese and 1/2 cup cheddar. Whisk until smooth and melted.

7. Fold in the cooked broccoli, shredded chicken and rice.

8. Pour half the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining rice mixture.

9. Mix melted butter with crushed crackers and sprinkle over the top along with the remaining cheddar.

10. Bake for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best Casserole

• For easy prep, use rotisserie chicken! Shred 4 cups of meat.

• Cook the rice ahead of time. Use chicken broth for extra flavor.

• Fresh broccoli is best, but you can use frozen in a pinch. Just thaw and drain it first.

• Prepare the casserole up to 2 days ahead. Store covered in the fridge before baking.

• For easy serving, assemble in a disposable aluminum pan. No need to wash dishes!

• Add other veggies like cauliflower or mushrooms. Get creative!

• Switch up the cheese. Try colby, monterey jack or swiss.

• Top with crunchy fried onions or crush up bacon for a savory topping.

• Bake in ramekins for easy individual portions. Decrease bake time by 5-10 minutes.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

This hearty casserole stores well for quick meals throughout the week:

• Store leftovers covered in the fridge for 3-4 days.

• Reheat individual portions in the microwave with a splash of milk or broth.

• Freeze baked or unbaked casserole up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

• Assemble unbaked casserole in a disposable pan. Wrap well and freeze. Add cracker topping before baking.

• Let casserole cool completely before freezing to prevent excess moisture.

Variations to Try

This basic recipe is endlessly adaptable. Get creative with these tasty variations:

• Buffalo Chicken – Toss chicken in Buffalo sauce before assembling. Top with blue cheese.

• Bacon Broccoli – Cook chopped bacon and add to casserole along with extra cheddar.

• Chicken Alfredo – Use Alfredo sauce instead of creamy cheese sauce.

• Broccoli Cheddar – Omit chicken for a vegetarian meal.

• Loaded Baked Potato – Add sautéed potatoes, bacon, cheddar, green onions and ranch seasoning.

• Taco – Season with taco spices. Top with tortilla chips, salsa and guacamole.

No matter what you’re craving, this hearty chicken broccoli rice casserole is sure to satisfy. It’s budget-friendly, freezer-friendly and kid approved. Enjoy this warm, comforting meal any night of the week!