Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe
This Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole is a classic comfort food favorite that’s creamy, hearty, and easy to make! Tender chicken, fluffy rice, and fresh broccoli are baked together in a rich cheese sauce, then topped with extra melted cheese and optionally buttery breadcrumbs until hot and bubbly. Perfect for a family-friendly weeknight dinner, potlucks, or a make-ahead freezer meal everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
- 3 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
- 2 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen, lightly steamed
- 1 can (10.5 oz / ~300 g) cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup milk
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Seasonings
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Topping
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Ingredients: Cook rice according to package directions. Lightly steam broccoli florets until just tender—about 2–3 minutes. If using frozen broccoli, thaw and drain excess water thoroughly.
- Mix Sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth and evenly combined.
- Combine Casserole Ingredients: Stir in the cooked chicken, rice, broccoli, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese into the sauce mixture. Mix thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
- Assemble: Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Optional Topping: If using, mix the breadcrumbs with the melted butter and sprinkle this evenly over the cheese layer to create a crunchy golden topping.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through, bubbly, and the cheese topping is melted and golden brown.
- Serve: Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly making it easier to serve. Enjoy warm, ideal with a side salad or garlic bread.
Notes
- Use cooked rice only; uncooked rice will not cook properly in the casserole.
- Frozen broccoli must be thawed and drained to avoid watery casserole.
- Sharp cheddar cheese provides classic flavor; you may substitute or blend with mozzarella or Parmesan for different textures.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking; add 5–10 minutes extra baking time.
- To freeze, assemble but do not bake. Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Bake from frozen adding 20–25 minutes to cooking time.
- For a healthier option, use brown rice, low-fat cheese, and a homemade white sauce instead of canned soup.
- Leftovers keep well in airtight container refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Reheat in oven at 325°F or microwave individual servings, adding milk if dry.
- Variations include swapping chicken for turkey or ham, adding extra vegetables like mushrooms or peas, or creating Tex-Mex or Italian flavor profiles.
Keywords: cheesy broccoli chicken casserole, chicken and rice casserole, broccoli casserole, comfort food, easy dinner, baked casserole
