The Perfect Broccoli Rice Cheese And Chicken Casserole Recipe

Broccoli rice cheese and chicken casserole represents the ultimate family-friendly meal for hectic evenings.

Warm, satisfying ingredients combine into a harmonious culinary experience that delights all palates.

Unexpected flavor combinations enhance this classic comfort dish into something extraordinary.

Each forkful promises rich, creamy textures balanced with nutritious green vegetables and tender protein.

Home cooks appreciate its straightforward preparation and crowd-pleasing qualities.

Nutritional balance meets delicious convenience in this single-pan wonder.

Your dinner table will come alive with anticipation and excitement.

Casserole Tips That Add Extra Flavor and Creaminess

• Perfectly Sauté Chicken: Brown chicken evenly by ensuring medium-high heat and not overcrowding the pan for maximum flavor development.
• Rice Cooking Technique: Rinse rice before cooking to remove excess starch, guaranteeing fluffy and separate grains in your casserole.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Shred cheese while cold and let it reach room temperature before adding to enhance smooth, creamy texture.
• Cracker Topping Trick: Crush Ritz crackers coarsely to create a crunchy, golden-brown layer that provides delightful textural contrast.
• Resting Time Magic: Let casserole sit for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow ingredients to set and flavors to meld together harmoniously.

Best Ways to Store and Warm Chicken Casserole

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place the casserole in the refrigerator where it will stay fresh for 3-4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or a lid to prevent moisture loss and absorbing other food odors.
• Freezing: Wrap the cooled casserole securely in plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label the container with the date to track storage time. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. For larger servings, preheat the oven to 350°F and place the casserole in a baking dish.

Perfect Pairings for This All-in-One Casserole

• Craft a Crisp White Wine Pairing: Select a bright, zesty Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the creamy casserole richness, offering a refreshing contrast that elevates each cheesy, comforting bite.
• Match with Hearty Green Salad: Prepare a tangy arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to provide a fresh, peppery counterpoint that balances the casserole's dense and creamy texture.
• Complement with Roasted Vegetable Side: Serve alongside garlic-roasted asparagus or honey-glazed carrots to introduce additional vegetable complexity and enhance the dish's overall nutritional profile.
• Boost with Crusty Bread Option: Include warm, buttered sourdough or herb-infused French bread to help soak up the delicious cheesy sauce and add a delightful textural element to the meal.

New Spins to Try on This Classic Chicken Bake

• Southwestern Spice Sensation: Replace Italian seasoning with taco seasoning, add diced green chiles, and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese for a zesty Mexican-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Herb Harmony: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, swap chicken broth with vegetable broth, use feta cheese instead of cheddar, and sprinkle oregano and basil for a Mediterranean flair.
• Lean Green Protein Powerhouse: Substitute chicken with grilled turkey breast, use quinoa instead of rice, add spinach alongside broccoli, and mix in Greek yogurt for a protein-packed, lighter alternative.
• Vegetarian Veggie Extravaganza: Remove chicken, add roasted cauliflower and diced zucchini, use vegetable broth, incorporate nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor, and top with toasted pine nuts for crunch.

Why This Casserole Hits All the Comfort Food Notes

• Savor Creamy Comfort: This casserole delivers a rich, velvety texture that wraps you in warmth with every bite, blending tender chicken, soft rice, and melted cheese into a luxurious one-dish meal.
• Quick and Easy Family Pleaser: Requiring minimal prep time and simple ingredients, this recipe transforms ordinary weeknight dinners into something special without complicated cooking techniques or hard-to-find components.
• Nutrient-Packed Crowd-Wowing Dish: Packed with protein from chicken, vitamins from broccoli, and satisfying carbohydrates from rice, this meal provides a balanced nutritional profile that keeps everyone full and happy while tasting absolutely delicious.
• Customize with Creativity: The recipe offers flexible options for personalization, allowing home cooks to swap ingredients, adjust seasonings, or add extra vegetables to match individual preferences and pantry supplies.

What You’ll Need for This Chicken and Rice Bake

• Chicken: Lean protein that provides the main body of the dish, choose boneless and skinless for easy preparation.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Adds creamy texture and enhances overall flavor profile of the casserole.

• Sour Cream, Milk: Contribute to rich, creamy consistency of the casserole.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, provides sharp tangy flavor and creates golden topping.

• Broccoli, Rice: Creates hearty base of the casserole, broccoli adds nutritional value and texture.

• Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning: Essential for seasoning chicken and enhancing overall taste.
• Garlic Powder, Thyme: Adds depth and aromatic complexity to the dish.

• Ritz Crackers, Butter: Creates crunchy golden topping that adds textural contrast.

• Chicken Broth, Olive Oil: Provides moisture and helps cook rice, adds subtle flavor undertones.

How to Make a Cheesy Chicken Casserole in One Pan

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Dish

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.

Step 2: Season And Cook Chicken

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Italian seasoning

Sauté chicken in butter over medium heat until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Cook Rice And Broccoli

• Chicken broth
• Rice
• Olive oil

Bring to boil, then reduce heat. Cover and cook for 7 minutes. Add broccoli, cover again, and cook for additional 8 minutes.

Step 4: Create Creamy Mixture

• Cooked chicken pieces
• Cream of chicken soup
• Milk
• Sour cream
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Garlic powder
• Thyme

Mix thoroughly until ingredients are well combined.

Step 5: Combine And Layer Casserole

Fold rice-broccoli mixture into creamy chicken blend. Spread evenly in prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.

Step 6: Add Crunchy Topping

Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter. Sprinkle generously over casserole.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Cover with foil. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake additional 10-15 minutes until top turns golden brown.

Step 8: Rest And Serve

Let casserole rest for several minutes. Serve hot directly from the oven.

Broccoli Rice Cheese And Chicken Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Broccoli Rice Cheese and Chicken Casserole brings comfort from Southern kitchens straight to dinner tables. Creamy textures and savory flavors blend effortlessly, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken)
• 1 ¼ cups uncooked long-grain white rice
• 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 7.5 ounces (222 milliliters) chicken broth

Dairy and Creamy Components:

• 1½-ounce can of cream of chicken soup
• ¼ cup milk
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons butter for cooking the chicken
• 3 teaspoons melted butter for topping

Seasonings and Toppings:

• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil for sautéing
• ¼ cup crushed Ritz crackers for topping

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Generously season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, ensuring even coverage.
3. Heat of butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then sauté the seasoned chicken until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6-7 minutes per side. Remove chicken and slice into bite-sized pieces.
4. In the same skillet, pour of chicken broth, of long-grain white rice, and of olive oil. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
5. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer rice for 7 minutes. Add fresh broccoli florets, then cover and cook for an additional 8 minutes until rice is tender and broccoli is slightly crisp.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked chicken pieces, 1 can of cream of chicken soup, of milk, of sour cream, of shredded cheddar cheese, of garlic powder, and of dried thyme. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are well incorporated.
7. Gently fold the rice and broccoli mixture into the creamy chicken blend, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
8. Transfer the combined mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
9. Crush of Ritz crackers and mix with of melted butter. Distribute the cracker topping uniformly over the casserole.
10. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top turns golden brown and crispy.
11. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5-7 minutes before serving to allow the dish to set and cool slightly.

Notes

• Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this comfort food classic that combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and crisp broccoli in a creamy, cheesy embrace.
• Ritz cracker topping adds an irresistible crunch that transforms this humble casserole into a crowd-pleasing masterpiece.
• Sautéing chicken first locks in maximum flavor, creating golden-brown edges that promise delicious texture in every single bite.
• Cooking rice and broccoli together streamlines the preparation process, ensuring perfectly cooked grains and vibrant green vegetables.
• Mixing chicken with creamy ingredients and cheese creates a luscious sauce that binds all components into a harmonious, satisfying meal.
• Resting the casserole after baking allows flavors to meld and helps maintain a perfect, sliceable consistency when serving.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking, Boiling, Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 525 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg