Rich with tender chicken, creamy cheese, white rice and broccoli, all in a Ritz cracker crust, this casserole is just about as hearty as it gets. It’s a simple dish well-suited to weeknight dinners or potlucks. Simple, warm, and satisfying!
Why You’ll Love It:
All-in-One Comfort (not that kind, though): It has everything you want in a comforting meal: protein, veggies and carbs; baked together in one pan.
Customizable: Substitute in leftover chicken or whatever vegetables you have, making it subject to the contents of your fridge. Try our Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole next.
Kid-Friendly: Cheesy goodness mingled with mild flavors means that even kids who wrinkle their noses at broccoli are likely to chow down.
Casserole Dish: Make ahead of time, freeze it, or eat the leftovers over the course of the week—just as versatile as it is tasty.
Key Ingredients:
Chicken Options: For you in a hurry, precooked rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver and adds an extra layer of flavor. Or, if you’re cooking from scratch, seasoning and flavor will be key to a delicious chicken.
Broccoli: Fresh florets are best if you want to retain a bit of crunch, but frozen broccoli can do the job. You just thaw it and pat it dry before you add it — no excess moisture.
Cheese: Cheddar is classic for this recipe, but consider Monterey Jack or a combination of your favorites to change it up a little.
Crushed Crackers: Ritz crackers provide a buttery, crispy topping that takes the casserole to the next level. Using panko breadcrumbs in though will give you a crispier texture if you’re looking for that. If you like this, you'll love our Creamy Garlic Chicken.
For full list of ingredients quantities and instructions, head down to the recipe card below
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Preheat the Oven:
Turn on the oven to 350°F (175°C) Spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray or lightly butter the bottom.
If using raw chicken: Prepare the Chicken.
Rub salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning on the raw chicken pieces.
In a large pot or skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for about 5 minutes or until brown all over. Afterwards, remove the chicken from the heat.
Cook the Rice:
Add 2 cups chicken broth, 1 cup rice and 1 tablespoon olive oil in the same pot where the chicken was cooked.
Boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and cook at a simmer for 7 minutes.
Sprinkle 2 cups broccoli florets on top of the rice (do not stir). Cover and cook 8 minutes more.
Prepare the Creamy Mixture:
You can treat it as a comfort food. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked chicken, one can (10.5 oz) of cream of chicken soup, half a cup of milk, half a cup of sour cream, one cup of shredded cheddar cheese (set aside the other half for the sprinkles), half a teaspoon of garlic powder, and half a teaspoon of dried thyme (optional).
Mix it well until smooth and evenly combined.
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Mix in the Creamy Goodness
When your rice and broccoli are done, feel free to turn off the heat. Cover the pot and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes, so the flavors can sub in. For another easy option, see our 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken.
After that, fold in the rice and broccoli to your creamed chicken mixture until everything’s well mixed.
Time to Build the Casserole
Look at it, pop him in a casserole dish and spread, spread, spread. Add a cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Make the Topping
Combine 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers with 3 tablespoons melted butter in a small bowl. And that’s your crunchy topping all set. Toss the cracker crumbs to coat evenly.
Scatter the cracker mixture all over the casserole.
Bake:
Cover the casserole with foil and bake in a preheated oven for 15 minutes.
Bake uncovered last 10-15 or until cheese is melted and top is golden brown.
Serve:
Let the casserole sit a few minutes before serving. The resting time allows the flavors to mingle.
Serving Suggestions:
Elevate your casserole dinner with these easy pairing ideas:
Side Salad: A basic green salad dressed with a lemon vinaigrette balances the richness of the casserole.
Roasted Vegetables: Easy roasted carrots or asparagus keep your plate veggie-filled.
Drinks: Pair this dish with a glass of iced tea, chilled, or with a crisp white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc.
Bread: What you want is some warm garlic bread to wipe up each gooey, cheesy bite.
If you like creamy chicken bakes, Chicken and Dressing Casserole puts chicken and a creamy sauce under a browned stuffing topping.
Another chicken casserole for the week is Street Corn Chicken Casserole, with corn, cotija and a fresh lime and cilantro finish.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
As your casserole ought to keep its taste and flavo u r, use these above storing suggestion:
Refrigerate: Place any remaining food in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Loosely cover and reheat in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 10 to 15 minutes, or until heated through.
Freezing: This casserole freezes very well. To freeze, press plastic wrap tightly over the entire dish, then cover with a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat. You might also like our Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup.
Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole through the baking step, then cover and refrigerate. For the best texture, bake within 24 hours.
Reheat covered with foil, or else the top will burn before the center warms up.
Variations:
Looking for some fun variations of Broccoli Rice Cheese and Chicken Casserole?
If you like a bit of heat, add a splash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Vegetarian Option: Skip the chicken; add additional vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini or cauliflower. Instead of chicken broth, use vegetable broth.
Gluten-Free Makeover: Substitute gluten-free cream of chicken condensed soup, and replace the Ritz crackers with a gluten-free cracker or breadcrumb alternative.
Packing in Protein: Toss in a can of drained chickpeas or white beans, and you’ll get a jolt in plant-based protein.
Herbal touch: Stir chopped fresh parsley or chives into the topping after baking for freshness. Try our Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken Breasts next.
Conclusion:
This is a true lazy comfort-food winner: Broccoli Rice Cheese and Chicken Casserole. It’s simple to make, packed with nourishing ingredients, and can be adapted to your family’s flavor preferences. Bake it on a cold night or for Sunday supper, and let the warm, cheesy smell draw everyone to the table. If you like this, you'll love our CRACK CHICKEN SOUP.
Broccoli Rice Cheese and Chicken Casserole
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter for cooking chicken
- 2 boneless/skinless chicken breasts or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth for cooking rice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/4 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese divided
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder optional
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme optional
- 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers for topping
- 2 tablespoons melted butter for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook in 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat until golden. Set aside.
- In the same pot, add 2 cups of chicken broth, 1 cup of rice, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cover. After 7 minutes, add broccoli, cover, and cook for 8 more minutes.
- Combine cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and thyme in a bowl. Mix well.
- Stir rice and broccoli into the chicken mixture. Spread into the casserole dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter and sprinkle over the casserole.
- Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the top is golden.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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Nutrition values are estimates based on the listed ingredients and serving count. Actual values vary with brands, cuts and portion sizes.
