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 (no, not that kind): This dish has everything you want in a comforting meal: protein, veggies and carbs, all baked together in a single pan.

Customizable: Swap in leftover chicken or use whatever vegetables you have, making it adaptable to your fridge’s contents.

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.

For full list of ingredients quantities and instructions, head down to the recipe card below

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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.

Add Rice And Broccoli To Creamy Mixture:

Once the rice and broccoli are cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it rest covered for 10 minutes.

Stir in the rice and broccoli to the creamy chicken mixture until fully mixed.

Assemble the Casserole:

Transfer the combined mixture into the casserole dish, spreading it evenly.

Top it with the remaining 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.

Prepare the Topping:

Combine 1 cup of crushed Ritz crackers and 3 tablespoons of melted butter in a small bowl. Stir until the cracker crumbs are well coated.

Scatter the cracker mixture over top of the casserole.

Bake:

Ali the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.

Continue baking uncovered for and extra 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the top is golden brown.

Serve:

Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to meld.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve your casserole dinner even better with these easy pairing ideas:

Side Salad: A crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette pairs well with the richness of the casserole.

Roasted Vegetables: Pair with roasted carrots or asparagus for extra veggies on your plate.

Drinks: The dish goes well with a chilled glass of iced tea or a crisp white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc.

Bread: Serve some warm garlic bread on the side to wipe up every gooey, cheesy bite.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips:

If your casserole deserves to maintain its taste and flavo u r, utilize these above storage recommendations:

Refrigerate: Store any leftover food in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Cover and reheat in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through.

Freezing: This casserole freezes well. To freeze, tightly cover the entire dish with plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Make-Ahead: Prepare 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 Variant: Omit the chicken; include extra vegetables such as mushrooms, zucchini or cauliflower. Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth.

Gluten-Free Makeover: Use gluten-free cream of chicken condensed soup and swap out the Ritz crackers for a gluten-free cracker or breadcrumb option.

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.

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.