There are some nights when all you want is a meal that feels like a big, warm hug. You know the kind. Something cheesy, comforting, and totally satisfying without needing a pile of pots and pans. That’s exactly where this amazing Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole comes in. It’s the answer to your busy weeknight prayers.
This dish brings together everything you love in one skillet. Tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and fluffy rice all swimming in a creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s a complete meal that your whole family will get excited about. Honestly, the smell alone is enough to make everyone gather in the kitchen. Let’s get cooking!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
So, what makes this Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole so special? Let me tell you, the list is long. First off, it’s mostly made in one pot. Yes, you heard that right. Fewer dishes to wash is always a huge win in my book. It makes cleanup an absolute breeze.
It’s also incredibly flavorful. We’re not just tossing ingredients together. We build layers of flavor by toasting the rice and orzo, searing the chicken, and adding fresh thyme. Each step adds a little something that makes the final dish taste incredible. It’s a truly well rounded meal.
This is one of those fantastic chicken and broccoli recipes that works for everyone. It’s hearty enough to satisfy big appetites but also packed with good stuff like chicken for protein and broccoli for vitamins. You can feel good about serving this to your family. It is a wonderful comfort food.
Plus, it’s so versatile. You can easily swap ingredients based on what you have on hand. Don’t have cheddar? Try another cheese. Want to add more veggies? Go for it. This recipe is a great starting point for your own culinary creativity. It’s a dish you can truly make your own.
Making a healthy Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. We use low sodium broth and have the option for whole milk or coconut milk, giving you control over the richness. It is a balanced meal that delivers on taste without feeling too heavy. It is a wonderful recipe.
Ingredients
The beauty of this Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole is its simple ingredient list. You probably have most of these items in your pantry and fridge right now. Here’s what you’ll need to create this cozy masterpiece.
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 1 pound boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 1/2 cups basmati or jasmine rice
- 1/2 cup dry orzo pasta (use gluten free, if needed)
- 2 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, plus more for topping
- 3 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 3 cups broccoli florets, roughly chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less to taste
- Zest of 1/2 a lemon
- 1/2 cup whole milk or canned coconut milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to get started? Let’s walk through how to make this delicious Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole. I’ll break it down for you so it’s super easy to follow along. Just take your time and enjoy the process.
Step 1: Prep Your Oven And Pot
First things first, let’s get your kitchen ready. Go ahead and preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. This ensures it’s nice and hot when your casserole is ready to get that golden, bubbly cheese topping. It’s a key step for a great finish.
Next, grab a large pot or Dutch oven. You want something big enough to hold all the ingredients and that can go from the stovetop to the oven. If your pot isn’t oven safe, don’t worry. You can transfer everything to a casserole dish later.
Step 2: Sauté The Veggies And Chicken
Place your pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil shimmers a little, it’s time to add your chopped onion and carrots. Cook them for about 5 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they soften up and your kitchen starts to smell amazing.
Now, add the cubed chicken to the pot. Season it generously with salt and pepper. Let the chicken cook for a couple of minutes until it’s lightly seared on the outside. We’re not cooking it all the way through here, just giving it some color and flavor.
Step 3: Toast The Rice And Orzo
Here comes a step that really adds a wonderful nutty flavor. Add the butter to the pot. Once it’s melted, stir in the rice, orzo, and fresh thyme leaves. Keep stirring and cooking for about 2 to 3 minutes. The grains will get slightly golden and toasty. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.
Step 4: Simmer Everything Together
Pour in the chicken broth and turn the heat up to high. Bring the mixture to a boil. This is where all the magic starts to happen. As soon as it’s boiling, it’s time to add the rest of the goodies. This is a key part of making this a great Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole.
Stir in the broccoli florets, bay leaves, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Don’t forget another good pinch of salt and pepper. Give it all a good stir, then bring it back to a boil. Once it’s bubbling, cover the pot and reduce the heat to low.
Let it simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. During this time, the rice will absorb all that delicious broth and become tender. The chicken will finish cooking, and the broccoli will get perfectly soft. Try not to peek too much! Let it do its thing.
Step 5: Get It Cheesy And Creamy
After the simmering time is up, carefully remove the lid. Your rice should be mostly cooked. Now, it’s time to make it creamy and cheesy. Stir in the lemon zest, your choice of milk, and half a cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
Keep stirring until the cheese is melted and everything is well combined. The mixture should be looking rich and creamy now. If your pot isn’t oven safe, now is the time to transfer the mixture into a baking dish. Otherwise, you can leave it right in the pot.
Step 6: Bake To Golden Perfection
Sprinkle the remaining one cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Now, pop it into your preheated oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. You’re looking for the cheese to be completely melted, bubbly, and just starting to turn a beautiful golden brown.
Once it’s done, carefully take it out of the oven. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This helps it set up a little. Serve your homemade Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole warm, maybe with a sprinkle of extra fresh thyme or basil. Enjoy every bite!
How To Store Leftovers
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole tastes just as good, if not better, the next day. To store it, let the casserole cool completely to room temperature first. This is important to prevent it from getting soggy.
Once cooled, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, you can use the microwave for a quick meal. Or, for a crispier top, pop it back in the oven at 350 degrees F until it’s warmed through. A toaster oven works well too!
Making a Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole healthy for leftovers is easy too. Just serve it with a fresh side salad to add some extra greens to your meal. It reheats beautifully and makes for a fantastic lunch or another easy dinner during the week. One of my favorite chicken and broccoli recipes!
Tips
Want to make your Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole even better? Here are a few little tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way. These will help you get the best results every single time you make this dish.
First, feel free to change up the cheese. Sharp cheddar is great, but a mix of Monterey Jack and cheddar would be delicious. Gouda or Gruyere would also add a wonderful, smoky flavor. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite cheeses.
If you’re short on time, you can use a rotisserie chicken. Just shred the meat and stir it in when you add the broccoli and broth. It’s a great shortcut that saves you the step of searing the chicken. This makes the recipe even faster for a busy night.
For extra flavor, consider adding some mushrooms with the onions and carrots. Or, stir in some spinach at the end with the cheese for an extra boost of greens. This dish is a great way to use up any leftover vegetables you might have in your fridge. Let your creativity flow.
To get that really nice brown and bubbly top, you can switch the oven to broil for the last minute or two of baking. Just watch it very closely so it doesn’t burn. This gives the cheese a fantastic finish that looks as good as it tastes. This is my favorite tip!
Conclusion
And there you have it. A simple, delicious, and comforting Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole that is sure to become a family favorite. It’s a recipe that proves that homemade meals don’t have to be complicated to be incredibly satisfying. It’s perfect for any night of the week.
I truly hope you enjoy making and eating this dish. There’s something special about sharing a warm, cheesy casserole with the people you love. It’s more than just food, it’s about creating moments and memories. So get in the kitchen, give this recipe a try, and enjoy a wonderful meal.
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Type Of Rice?
Yes, you certainly can. While basmati or jasmine rice is recommended for its fluffy texture, you could use long grain white rice. If you want to use brown rice, you will need to increase the simmering time and possibly add a little more broth, as it takes longer to cook.
Is This Recipe Gluten Free?
You can easily make this a gluten free Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole. The main thing to watch is the orzo pasta. Simply substitute it with a gluten free orzo or leave it out altogether. The dish will still be delicious without it.
Can I Make This Casserole Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely. You can assemble the entire casserole without baking it. Let it cool, then cover and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to eat, you may need to add about 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold from the fridge.
What Other Vegetables Can I Add?
This is a great recipe for adding extra veggies. Cauliflower, peas, corn, or bell peppers would all be wonderful additions. You can add heartier vegetables like peppers with the onions and carrots. Add softer ones like peas and corn along with the broccoli.
Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole
This Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole is a comforting one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. It combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and fluffy rice in a rich, creamy cheese sauce for a satisfying dish the whole family will enjoy.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and carrots and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add the cubed chicken to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and cook for a few minutes until lightly seared.
- Melt the butter in the pot. Stir in the rice, orzo, and fresh thyme, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the grains are lightly toasted.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Stir in the broccoli florets, bay leaves, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Season again with salt and pepper.
- Return the mixture to a boil, then cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the rice is tender.
- Remove from heat. Stir in the lemon zest, milk, and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. (If your pot isn’t oven-safe, transfer to a baking dish now).
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the top. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Feel free to experiment with different cheeses. A mix of Monterey Jack and cheddar, or a smoky Gouda, would be delicious.
For a shortcut, use shredded rotisserie chicken. Stir it in when you add the broccoli and broth to save time.
Add extra vegetables like mushrooms or spinach for more nutrients. Sauté mushrooms with the onions, and stir in spinach at the end with the cheese.
For a crispier cheese topping, switch the oven to broil for the final 1-2 minutes of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Nutrition
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