Easy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
This chicken broccoli rice recipe is a cheesy, comforting casserole packed with tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and fluffy rice, all baked to perfection with a crispy cracker topping. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or feeding a hungry family with minimal fuss!
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1.25 cups white long grain rice uncooked
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets uncooked
- 10.5 oz condensed cream of chicken soup
- 0.5 cup milk
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
Optional Topping
- 1 cup crushed buttery crackers
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chicken, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until chicken is no longer pink. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add rice and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add chicken broth to the skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, partially cooked rice, broccoli florets, condensed soup, milk, sour cream, and 1.5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cup of cheddar cheese on top.
- In a small bowl, combine crushed crackers and melted butter. Sprinkle over the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a quicker version, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. You can also substitute cream of mushroom or celery soup for a different flavor profile. If using frozen broccoli, ensure it's thawed and drained before adding.
