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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

A comforting and hearty casserole featuring tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and a creamy cheesy base, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 2 Tablespoons butter (for that rich flavor)
  • 2 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts, or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (adds a comforting herb aroma)
  • Salt/Pepper to taste Salt/Pepper, to taste
  • 2.5 cups chicken broth (the aromatic base)
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)
  • 1.25 cups white long grain rice, uncooked (perfectly fluffy after cooking)
  • 2-3 cups fresh broccoli florets, uncooked (they add a lovely crunch)
  • 10.5 oz. Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (for creamy richness)
  • 0.5 cup milk (helps blend all flavors together)
  • 0.5 cup sour cream (adds tanginess)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, separated (for that cheesy topping)
  • 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder (optional) (because who doesn’t love garlic?)
  • 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed (for that delightful crunch)
  • 2 Tablespoons melted butter (to bring the cracker topping to life)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces and season generously with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat until it melts. Add the chicken and let it sizzle until golden brown, about 5 minutes. If using rotisserie chicken, skip this step.
  4. Add chicken broth, olive oil, and rice to the pot, bringing it to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 6 minutes.
  5. Add fresh broccoli on top, cover, and steam for another 9 minutes or until rice is fluffy and liquid has evaporated.
  6. Remove from heat and let it stand, covered, for about 10 minutes.
  7. Stir in cooked chicken (if raw), cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, optional seasonings, and half of the cheddar cheese until creamy.
  8. Pour mixture into a greased 9 x 13 casserole dish and top with remaining cheddar cheese.
  9. Cover the dish and bake for 15 minutes.
  10. Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter and sprinkle over the casserole after 15 minutes of baking.
  11. Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.
  12. Let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken to save time on cooking. If casserole is too runny, let it sit longer covered or add more rice. Swap broccoli for spinach or mushrooms, or mix in some cooked bacon for added flavor.