There are some nights when all you want is a meal that feels like a warm hug. You know the kind. Something simple, something cheesy, and something that brings the whole family to the table without any fuss. That’s exactly what this Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole is all about. It’s a classic comfort dish that never fails.
I remember my mom making a similar dish when I was a kid. The smell of it baking in the oven would fill the entire house. It was the signal that dinner was going to be good. This recipe captures that same cozy feeling, but it’s updated to be incredibly straightforward. You don’t need any fancy gadgets or complicated techniques. Just simple ingredients and a little bit of love.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this dish is wonderfully easy to assemble. Seriously. If you can stir things together in a bowl, you can make this casserole. It’s a true one dish meal, which means cleanup is an absolute breeze. Fewer dishes to wash is always a win in my book, especially on a busy weeknight.
The flavors are just so satisfying. You have tender chunks of chicken, bright green broccoli florets, and fluffy rice all swimming in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. It’s a combination that everyone loves. Even the pickiest eaters in my family ask for seconds of this Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole. It’s a great way to get some green veggies into their diet without any complaints.
Another great thing is how versatile it is. This recipe is a fantastic way to use up leftover cooked chicken. Have a rotisserie chicken from the store? Perfect. It makes the prep work even faster. You can also customize it with different veggies or cheeses if you feel like experimenting. It’s a solid base recipe that you can truly make your own.
Honestly, it’s the kind of meal that saves the day. When you’re short on time but still want a wholesome, homemade dinner, this Chicken Rice Broccoli Casserole Bake is the answer. It’s hearty, filling, and so incredibly comforting.
Ingredients
The ingredient list for this Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole is beautifully simple. You probably have most of these items in your pantry and fridge right now. No need for a special trip to the store!
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 ½ cups uncooked instant rice
- 2 large cooked chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
- 2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed cream of broccoli soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to make some magic? Let’s walk through this process together. It’s so simple, you’ll have this in the oven in no time.
Step 1: Preheat And Prep The Rice
First things first, get your oven ready. You’ll want to preheat it to 350 degrees F, or 175 degrees C. This ensures your casserole cooks evenly from the moment it goes in.
Next, let’s handle the rice. Bring one and a half cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan. Once it’s bubbling, add the instant rice. Give it a quick stir to make sure all the grains get wet.
Now, pop the lid on the saucepan and immediately remove it from the heat. Don’t peek! Just let it sit for about five minutes. The steam trapped inside will do all the work, perfectly cooking the rice until all the water is absorbed. After five minutes, take the lid off and fluff the rice gently with a fork. This separates the grains and keeps it from getting clumpy.
Step 2: Combine The Core Ingredients
Grab your favorite casserole dish. A 9×13 inch dish works great for this recipe. Transfer all that fluffy, cooked rice into the dish. Now it’s time to add the stars of our broccoli cheese casserole.
Add your cooked chicken, which should be cut into bite sized one inch cubes. Then, add the broccoli florets. Gently mix these three ingredients right in the casserole dish. This saves you from dirtying another bowl. I like to spread them out evenly so every bite has a little bit of everything.
Step 3: Make The Creamy Sauce
Now for the part that brings it all together, the creamy sauce. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the two cans of condensed cream of broccoli soup and the cup of milk. Whisk them together until they are smooth and well combined.
Next, add the flavor boosters. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoned bread crumbs, the garlic powder, and the ground black pepper. Give it all another good mix. This sauce is what makes the Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole so rich and delicious.
Step 4: Mix It All Together
Pour the creamy soup mixture over the rice, chicken, and broccoli in the casserole dish. Now, take half of your shredded Cheddar cheese, which is about one cup, and add it to the dish as well.
Using a large spoon or spatula, carefully mix everything together. You want to make sure the sauce coats every single ingredient. Be gentle so you don’t mash the rice or broccoli. Keep mixing until it’s all one big, happy family in there.
Once it’s combined, spread the mixture evenly in the dish. Then, take the remaining half of the shredded Cheddar cheese and sprinkle it all over the top. This will create that beautiful, golden, cheesy crust as it bakes. This is a key step for any great Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.
Step 5: Bake To Golden Perfection
Place the casserole dish, uncovered, into your preheated oven. Let it bake for about 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. The whole kitchen will smell amazing.
Once it’s done, carefully remove the Chicken Rice Broccoli Casserole Bake from the oven. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving. This allows it to set up a bit, making it easier to scoop out. Then, serve it up warm and enjoy every cheesy bite!
How To Store Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, storing them is simple. First, let the casserole cool down to room temperature. You should never put a hot dish directly into the refrigerator, as it can raise the internal temperature and affect other foods.
Once cooled, you can either cover the casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil, or you can transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days. Reheating is easy. You can warm up individual portions in the microwave or place the entire dish back in the oven at 350 degrees F until heated through.
This Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole also freezes quite well. For best results, store it in a freezer safe, airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Tips
Want to make this dish even better? Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned. For an extra cheesy experience, try using a blend of cheeses. A mix of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack adds a nice depth of flavor and extra meltiness.
If you’re not a fan of condensed soups, you can make your own cream sauce. It’s an extra step, but a simple roux with butter, flour, milk, and cheese works beautifully. This gives you more control over the ingredients.
For a bit of crunch, try topping the casserole with crushed crackers, like Ritz, or even some panko breadcrumbs mixed with a little melted butter before baking. It adds a lovely texture that contrasts with the creamy interior. This makes for a fantastic broccoli cheese casserole.
Feel free to add other vegetables to the mix. Sautéed mushrooms, onions, or even some corn would be delicious additions. It’s a great way to clean out the vegetable drawer in your fridge.
Conclusion
And there you have it. A simple, delicious, and incredibly satisfying Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole that is sure to become a staple in your meal rotation. It’s the kind of food that brings comfort and joy to the dinner table.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out in the kitchen, this recipe is for you. It proves that you don’t need a lot of time or complicated steps to create a meal that tastes like it was made with love. So go ahead, give it a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
FAQ
Can I Use Brown Rice Instead Of White Instant Rice?
Yes, you can, but you will need to adjust the recipe. Brown rice takes much longer to cook than instant rice. You would need to cook the brown rice completely according to its package directions before adding it to the casserole mixture. Do not add uncooked brown rice directly to the dish, as it won’t cook through in the 30 minute baking time.
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely! This is a great recipe to prepare in advance. You can assemble the entire Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. When you’re ready to cook it, you may need to add about 10 minutes to the baking time since it will be starting from a colder temperature.
What Can I Serve With This Casserole?
This dish is quite hearty and can easily stand alone as a complete meal. However, if you’d like to serve something on the side, a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a wonderful choice. Some crusty bread or garlic bread for dipping into the cheesy sauce is also a fantastic option.
Is This Recipe Gluten Free?
As written, this recipe is not gluten free. The condensed soup and the Italian seasoned bread crumbs typically contain gluten. To make it gluten free, you would need to use a certified gluten free condensed cream soup and gluten free breadcrumbs. Always check the labels on your ingredients to be sure.
Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole
This simple and classic Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole is the ultimate comfort food. Tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and fluffy rice are baked in a rich, creamy cheese sauce for a wholesome family dinner.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bring water to a boil, add instant rice, stir, cover, and remove from heat. Let sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- In a 9×13 inch casserole dish, combine the cooked rice, cubed chicken, and broccoli florets.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together condensed soup and milk until smooth. Stir in bread crumbs, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Pour the soup mixture over the ingredients in the casserole dish. Add half of the shredded Cheddar cheese and mix everything together until well combined.
- Spread the mixture evenly and top with the remaining shredded Cheddar cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Let sit for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For an extra cheesy experience, try using a blend of cheeses like sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack.
For a bit of crunch, top the casserole with crushed crackers or panko breadcrumbs mixed with a little melted butter before baking.
Feel free to add other vegetables to the mix. Sautéed mushrooms, onions, or even some corn would be delicious additions.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
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