Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Add Preferred SourceThis Chicken and Broccoli Casserole packs a flavorful punch with juicy chicken, creamy sauce, cozy rice, and fresh broccoli, all topped off with a bubbly cheese layer. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, it’s a simple dish that delivers big on taste and satisfaction. Plus, it’s so easy to make, you’ll have it in the oven in no time!
Why you will love making Broccoli Chicken Casserole
This casserole is the ultimate comfort food, but that’s not the only reason you’ll want to make it again and again. Here’s why:
- Quick and Easy: From fridge to oven, you’ll have this dish ready in less than an hour, making it perfect for those busy weeknights.
- Kid-Friendly: With tender chicken and broccoli in a cheesy sauce, even the pickiest eaters will be asking for seconds.
- Versatile: It’s easy to tweak this recipe to what you have on hand or to your family’s taste.
- Freezer-Friendly: Make an extra batch because this casserole freezes beautifully for those days you don’t feel like cooking.
- Comforting: Every bite is a warm hug to your taste buds. Perfect for any season, but especially comforting during the cooler months.
- Nutritious: Packed with protein and veggies, it’s a meal you can feel good about serving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to make Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Creating this cheesy, delicious Chicken and Broccoli Casserole is simple. Here’s how you can get it bubbling in your oven in no time.
Prep the Oven and Casserole Dish
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a casserole dish lightly. This prevents sticking and ensures easy serving after baking.
Mix the Base
In a large bowl, combine the rice, cream of chicken soup, milk, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the Casserole and Bake
Pour the rice mixture into your prepared casserole dish and smooth it out.
SERIOUSLY GOOD
CASSEROLES
37 EASY RECIPES designed for days when you want one dish to do all the work for you. Expect rich, mouthwatering layers that are just begging to be on your dinner table.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
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Evenly distribute the chicken pieces and broccoli florets over the top, gently pressing them down into the rice mixture.
Cover the dish with foil to keep the moisture in, and bake for 30 minutes.
After this time, remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, and return to the oven for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serve and Enjoy
Sprinkle some finely chopped fresh herbs and a bit of ground black pepper over the casserole before serving.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups long grain white rice
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded, divided
- 2 chicken breasts diced in 1 inch cubes
- 2 cups broccoli florets chopped
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh herbs finely chopped
Video
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC (350°F). Grease a casserole dish.
- In a big bowl, combine rice, chicken soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, half of the cheddar cheese, and season with salt and pepper.1 ½ cups long grain white rice, 2 cans cream of chicken soup, 2 cups milk, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 cups cheddar cheese, Salt and pepper
- Transfer the mixture to the casserole dish and level it out. Add the chicken and broccoli florets and arrange them over the rice, you can push them a bit so they partially sink.2 cups broccoli florets, 2 chicken breasts
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, cover with the rest of the cheese and return to the oven for 10 more minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve with fresh herbs and ground black pepper.Fresh herbs
Notes
- Rice: Make sure the rice is evenly spread at the bottom of the dish to avoid uneven cooking. Pre-cooking your rice slightly can help prevent it from being too crunchy or undercooked.
- Brown Rice: You can substitute brown rice however it may require a longer cooking time and extra liquid.
- Cheese: For the best melt and flavor, go with freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded. Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and doesn’t contain anti-caking agents.
- Different Kinds of Cheese: Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even Swiss can be great alternatives to cheddar.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: You can use cream of mushroom soup or cream of broccoli soup for a different flavor.
- Broccoli: If you prefer your broccoli to be more on the tender side, blanch it before adding it to the casserole. This gives it a head start on cooking.
- Season Well: Don’t skimp on the seasoning. Adjust the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder according to your taste to make sure every bite is flavorful.
- Add Crunch: For a bit of extra texture, sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter over the top before the final 10 minutes of baking.
- Customize It: Feel free to add other ingredients like mushrooms, bell peppers, or even a bit of crispy bacon to the mix for added flavor and texture.
- Keep It Moist: If the casserole looks dry during baking, you can drizzle a little extra milk or chicken broth over it before adding the cheese topping. This helps keep everything moist and creamy.
- Gluten-free: To make this gluten-free, use a gluten-free cream of chicken soup and ensure all other ingredients, like the spices and cheese, are gluten-free.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble it a day in advance and keep it in the refrigerator. Just bake it when you’re ready to serve.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Cool: Allow the casserole to cool completely before you pack it away.
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze: This casserole freezes exceptionally well. Wrap it tightly in foil or place it in freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheat Gently: Warm the casserole in the oven at 350°F until heated through. If it seems a little dry, adding a splash of milk before reheating can help bring back its creamy texture. Avoid microwaving if possible to keep the texture consistent.
Nutrition
SERIOUSLY GOOD
CASSEROLES
37 EASY RECIPES designed for days when you want one dish to do all the work for you. Expect rich, mouthwatering layers that are just begging to be on your dinner table.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
∙ French Toast Casserole
∙ Crack Chicken Casserole
∙ Four Cheese Ravioli Casserole
∙ Ratatouille Casserole
∙ Sweet Potato Casserole
...and much more!
Includes ad-free recipes like:
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
To make your Chicken and Broccoli Casserole even better, check out these handy tips:
- Rice: Make sure the rice is evenly spread at the bottom of the dish to avoid uneven cooking. Pre-cooking your rice slightly can help prevent it from being too crunchy or undercooked.
- Brown Rice: You can substitute brown rice however it may require a longer cooking time and extra liquid.
- Cheese: For the best melt and flavor, go with freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded. Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and doesn’t contain anti-caking agents.
- Different Kinds of Cheese: Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even Swiss can be great alternatives to cheddar.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: You can use cream of mushroom soup or cream of broccoli soup for a different flavor.
- Broccoli: If you prefer your broccoli to be more on the tender side, blanch it before adding it to the casserole. This gives it a head start on cooking.
- Season Well: Don’t skimp on the seasoning. Adjust the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder according to your taste to make sure every bite is flavorful.
- Add Crunch: For a bit of extra texture, sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter over the top before the final 10 minutes of baking.
- Customize It: Feel free to add other ingredients like mushrooms, bell peppers, or even a bit of crispy bacon to the mix for added flavor and texture.
- Keep It Moist: If the casserole looks dry during baking, you can drizzle a little extra milk or chicken broth over it before adding the cheese topping. This helps keep everything moist and creamy.
- Gluten-free: To make this gluten-free, use a gluten-free cream of chicken soup and ensure all other ingredients, like the spices and cheese, are gluten-free.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble it a day in advance and keep it in the refrigerator. Just bake it when you’re ready to serve.
How to Store Leftover Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Got leftover chicken and broccoli casserole? If you store it the right way, it’ll be ready to enjoy on those busy days when cooking from scratch just isn’t happening.
Let the casserole cool down completely before packing it up. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate—it’ll stay good for 3 to 4 days.
This casserole also freezes really well. Wrap it tightly in foil or use freezer-safe containers, and you can freeze it for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge.
To reheat, pop it in the oven at 350°F until it’s warmed through. If it looks a bit dry, just add a splash of milk to help bring back that creamy texture. It’s best to skip the microwave if you want to keep the consistency just right.
Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Saving a bit on groceries without skimping on flavor is always a win. Here are three money-saving tips specifically for making Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole:
- Use Leftover Chicken: This casserole is great for using up leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken from other meals.
- Frozen Broccoli: Opt for frozen broccoli instead of fresh; it’s cheaper and pre-chopped.
- Bulk Rice: Buy rice in bulk bags, which are more economical than small packages.
What to Serve with Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Pairing your Chicken and Broccoli Casserole with the right sides can make your meal even better. Here are some great options:
Caprese Salad
A simple Caprese salad made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze is a delightful side. The bright, tangy flavors of the salad cut through the richness of the casserole, providing a nice balance. Plus, it’s quick to throw together!
Sweet Potato Fries
Baked sweet potato fries are a fun and healthy side. Cut sweet potatoes into thin strips, toss with olive oil, salt, and a bit of paprika, and bake until crispy. The natural sweetness of the fries pairs nicely with the savory flavors of the casserole.
Grilled Asparagus
Grilled asparagus brings a smoky flavor and a bit of crunch that complements the creamy casserole. Simply toss asparagus spears with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then grill until tender. A squeeze of lemon juice over the top before serving adds a refreshing zing.
Yummy easy and quick.
Thanks Mandy Have only just started to enjoy your recipes.
Really pleased you’ve found them and are enjoying cooking them 🙂