Simple and Comforting Chicken, Broccoli And Rice Casserole
The best broccoli, chicken and rice casserole is here: it’s cheesy, creamy, and loaded with broccoli! We might even dare to call it one of the ultimate comfort foods! This recipe is a staple in our house because when we’re in a pinch and looking to appease all tastes, we know we can turn to our favorite easy chicken, rice, and broccoli casserole! We also love that it’s the perfect make-ahead or freezer meal, so we can prep one for dinner and another to freeze for when we’re short on time! The chicken is flavorful and golden-brown, the cheesy rice and broccoli remind us of being kids again, and of course, our favorite buttery, crispy panko top.
What’s In This Comforting Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole?
This simple, kitchen-staple recipe will have you whipping up dinner in less than one hour. It’s cozy, delicious, and, best of all, it has all the main food groups for a complete, wholesome meal!
The ingredients you’ll need for chicken, broccoli and rice casserole are:
Extra-virgin olive oil
Cream of chicken soup
Whole milk
Sour cream
Better Than Bouillon, chicken flavor
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Dried oregano
Kosher salt
Uncooked long grain rice
Broccoli florets
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Freshly cracked black pepper
Cheddar cheese
Panko breadcrumbs
Salted butter
Tips and Tricks for Easy Chicken, Rice and Broccoli Casserole
We get a handful of questions and because chicken casserole with rice and broccoli is so versatile, we’re happy to help! Check them out below:
Can I use rotisserie chicken? Absolutely! If you’re short on time, crack open the rotisserie chicken and shred it into 1-inch pieces. Skip step 4 and go right into transferring everything into the casserole dish.
What If I don’t have cream of chicken soup? If you don’t have cream of chicken soup for your chicken and broccoli casserole with rice, don’t fret! You can use cream of mushroom, cream of broccoli, or broccoli cheddar, or find a homemade version!
Can I use frozen broccoli? For sure! Just note that frozen broccoli may release excess water so consider thawing it and patting it dry.
What type of rice should I use? While we love traditional white rice, you can use brown rice or wild rice but keep in mind that different types of rice have different cooking times and water amounts, so you’ll have to adjust the recipe accordingly! We would recommend against using quick-cooking rice, such as minute-rice as it will affect the texture and nutritional value.
Make it your own! Keep it vegetarian by removing the chicken and add additional veggies!
What Goes Best with Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Wondering what to serve with chicken and rice with broccoli casserole? While this dish has a healthy serving of veggies, we sometimes like to pair it with a Simple Green Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette, Butter Lettuce Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette, Roasted Beet Salad with Chèvre Green Goddess Dressing, or an Antipasto Salad! It also pairs perfectly with Roasted Mushrooms and Roasted Asparagus. When we’re feeding a crowd; we can’t miss out on the Herby Rhodes Rolls! And, maybe, our favorite accompaniment yet – three delicious ways to enjoy sweet potatoes, the classic Baked Sweet Potatoes or Roasted Sweet Potatoes and the elevated Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Labneh. Yum!
How Do You Make Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Follow these simple steps for how to make chicken, broccoli and rice casserole:
Make the soup base! Whisk together the soup, milk, sour cream, and seasonings! Pro Tip: this is a great way to involve the kids!
Steam the rice and broccoli! Rinse your rice until the water runs clear, then add it to your seasoned boiling water. Cook for about 10 minutes, then add in the broccoli! Cook for another 10 minutes until the broccoli and rice are tender. Add to the soup base!
Brown the chicken! Season the chicken, then sear over high heat for 5-7 minutes per side, until cooked through and golden brown. Slide into strips, then add to the soup mixture.
Combine and bake! Add the cheddar cheese, then pour the soup mixture with rice, broccoli, and chicken into the casserole dish and spread into an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is bubbly.
Top! Mix together the bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture over the casserole and bake, uncovered at 400, for 10 more minutes until golden brown. Pro Tip: Sub out the panko bread crumbs for buttery crackers like Ritz!
Bon Appetit! Serve family style.
How to Store Easy Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Make-Ahead: this casserole can be made one day ahead of time! Simply assemble and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake! Follow the recipe starting at step 6.
Freezing: This is an excellent freezer recipe! Make and assemble the recipe but do not bake! Freeze. When ready to enjoy, thaw for 30 minutes at room temperature, then follow starting at step 6.
Tools You’ll Need
More Simple and Comforting Casseroles!
A casserole is just a fancy way to describe a delicious dish made by layering ingredients, such as meat, vegetables, pasta or rice. When we’re feeling something easy, quick, and super versatile, we turn to casseroles. Our favorites are:
Zucchini Bake – cheesy, low carb, and packed full of in-season zucchini!
- Shepherd's Pie – warm and hearty browned beef under pillows of potatoes
Bake Tortellini – a cheesy bed of tomato sauce with sausage, kale and of course, tortellini
Spinach Mushroom Strata – sauteed mushrooms and fresh thyme make this breakfast dish a must-have for special occasions
Cheesy, Comforting, Casserole!
Did you try this chicken broccoli and rice casserole? Let us know how it turned out. Tag us in your photos on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper Happy eating!
