Description
Creamy, cheesy, and utterly comforting, this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is the ultimate weeknight hero. Loaded with tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and fluffy rice, it’s a one-dish wonder that brings everyone to the table—and guarantees no leftovers!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ¼ cups white long-grain rice (uncooked)
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets (uncooked)
- 10.5 oz. condensed cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. - Prepare the Chicken:
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. - Cook the Chicken:
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 5 minutes, until golden brown on all sides. Remove from the pot and set aside. (Skip this step if using rotisserie chicken.) - Cook the Rice and Broccoli:
In the same pot, add chicken broth, olive oil, and rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 6 minutes.
Add the broccoli to the pot, cover again, and cook for another 9 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 10 minutes without stirring. - Mix the Casserole Base:
Stir the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, optional seasonings, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the pot with the rice and broccoli. - Assemble the Casserole:
Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Spread it evenly and top with the remaining cheddar cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. - Add the Crunchy Topping:
Combine the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the casserole.
Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the topping is golden and crispy. - Let It Rest and Serve:
Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Dish it out warm and watch everyone dive in!
Notes
- Rice Matters: Stick with white long-grain rice for even cooking. Instant rice won’t give you the same results.
- Shortcut Alert: Rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver for this recipe.
- Extra Veggies: Feel free to toss in carrots, peas, or mushrooms for added color and nutrition.
- Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or use pepper jack cheese for a kick.
- Storage Tips: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American