Prepare a hearty, healthy meal all in one dish! This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is the perfect dinner option for any day of the week.
Going out to eat isn’t always an option for most, but cooking up dinner after a hard day isn’t always easy either. That’s why I love casserole dishes. This easy broccoli rice casserole is one of my favorites. It’s savory, healthy, and packed full of flavor.
What is Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole?
Packed with protein, heart healthy broccoli, and delicious cheddar cheese, this casserole is a meal all in one dish. There’s 5 components to an amazing casserole and this casserole has them all: protein, starch, vegetables, sauce, and cheese!
Ingredients:
This broccoli chicken casserole amps dinner up to a whole new level. Make sure you have everything you need before you begin.
- Chicken. When making a casserole, you will want to use boneless skinless chicken breasts. This makes the whole process much easier.
- Chicken broth and soup. You will need both chicken broth and soup for this recipe. Both add just the right amount of flavorful liquid.
- Broccoli. You can use frozen broccoli, but for best results, I would recommend using fresh broccoli.
- Cheddar cheese. Sprinkle on as much shredded cheese as you like. 1 cup is usually good enough, but add a little more for extra cheesy goodness.
- Milk. Milk helps make the whole dish creamy and delicious. Just a little bit will do it.
- Seasonings. Onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper combine to make a savory casserole the whole family will love.
Exact Ingredients
When it comes to cooking, exact measurements are always recommended. Here’s what you need to make a delicious casserole the whole family will be drooling over:
- 1 pound chicken breasts
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup rice
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup milk
- 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 4 cups broccoli
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
How to Make Broccoli Casserole
Whip dinner up in a jiffy! Follow the simple steps below for a simple yet nutritious dinner casserole the whole family will love:
Step 1: Prep
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then, dice up your chicken before you begin the cooking process.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
In a pot add the butter. Allow butter to melt. Then, add the chicken to the skillet. Add in all of your spices. Allow chicken to cook for 5-6 minutes or until no pink remains.
Step 3: Cook the Rice
Once the chicken is cooked, add the rice to the pot with chicken broth and water. Bring it to a soft boil. Then, reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for 8-9 minutes or until the rice is tender. Use a lid.
Step 4: Cook the Broccoli
Remove your rice and chicken from the stove top. Next, you will add in your broccoli, milk, and cream of chicken soup to the mixture.
Place the lid back on the pot and allow the heat to cook the broccoli until it's tender and crisp.
Step 5: Bake the Casserole
Finally, you will pour all the contents of your pot into a casserole dish. Top the chicken, rice and broccoli with ½ the cheddar cheese. Bake for 10 minutes.
Step 6: Make the Toppings
While your casserole is baking, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add breadcrumbs to the butter and stir until breadcrumbs are coarse.
Step 7: Add Topping and Bake
After your casserole has baked for 10-minutes, remove it and add the breadcrumb topping on top. Bake the casserole for an additional 10-15 minutes. When the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted, it’s done. Serve and enjoy!
Side Dishes to Try
I tend to just eat this delicious casserole with a roll or biscuit, but you can eat it with other sides as well. Here are just a few options:
How to Store Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole
The best thing about casseroles is that they are super filling. This means you are going to have extras for lunch the next day. You can easily store your casserole in a tightly sealed bowl in the refrigerator. Broccoli chicken rice will last 1 to 3 days in the fridge.
Can I Freeze It?
Absolutely! In fact, this casserole is a great choice for freezing because all the ingredients will hold up well in the freezer. If you are looking for make ahead freezer meals, this one is top of the list. Cook it, let it cool, and place it in freezer bags in the freezer. It can keep up to 6 months. When you are ready to reheat it, simply place it in the fridge overnight to thaw and place it back in the oven to heat it up.
Other Casseroles to Try
I love casserole dishes because I can whip them up without much effort, and they always turn out delicious. Casseroles are the cheat sheet to dinner in my house. If you liked this casserole, check out some of my other favorites:
- Spicy Shrimp and Bacon Casserole
- Slow Cooker Ham, Cheese, and Veggie Breakfast Casserole
- Leftover Spaghetti Casserole
- Overnight Eggs Benedict Casserole
Remember, sharing is caring! Please pin this post on Pinterest for others to enjoy.
WANT EVEN MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES FROM MYSELF AND MY FAVORITE FOOD BLOGGERS? FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, OR FACEBOOK, WHERE I SHARE NEW RECIPES DAILY. YOU CAN ALSO SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL TO GET NEWLY POSTED RECIPES FOR FREE!
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts diced
- 4 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup rice
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup milk
- 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 4 cups broccoli
- 1 cup cheddar cheese divided
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large skillet, add the diced chicken and 2 tablespoons of the butter. Next, add in the spices. Stir to combine. Allow the chicken to cook until no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add in the rice, chicken broth and milk. Stir to combine everything. Bring to a soft boil, reduce heat and simmer for 8-9 minutes with a lid. Once the rice is tender, remove from heat.
- Add in the milk, cream of chicken soup and ½ cup of the cheese. Stir to combine.
- Add in the broccoli and place the lid back on the skillet. Allow the residual heat to blanch the broccoli for a few minutes.
- Scoop the casserole mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish and bake for 10 minutes.
- While the casserole is baking, melt the other 2 tablespoons of butter and combine it with the breadcrumbs. After the 10 minutes is up, add the breadcrumb mixture and the remaining cheese to the top of the casserole.
- Place the casserole back in the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese on top has melted and the sides are bubbling.
- Remove, serve with your favorite side and enjoy.
avmsgp says