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Chicken broccoli rice casserole is a full meal all in one easy and delicious dish. Topped with crunchy, buttery crackers and filled with sharp cheddar cheese, this is a flavorful dinner that your family will request again and again.
This is the time of year when planning dinners gets really hard.
Maybe it’s because I’m still a little burnt out from all of the holiday cooking, maybe it’s because I’m getting tired of winter produce. Maybe it’s just me.
But when I start to feel like this, casseroles are a good way for me to do a dinner reset. They’re easy, can usually be prepped ahead of time, and almost everybody enjoys them.
If you feel the same way, this chicken broccoli rice casserole is a great one to add to your dinner rotation. With protein, starch, and veggies all in one dish, it’s a one-pan meal that even picky eaters enjoy.
And as a mom, that’s a total win.
My cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole recipe
Maybe it’s because I live in the midwest, but there’s nothing quite as comforting as a casserole for dinner.
Well, maybe a good soup recipe can compete, but it’s a close call.
And one of the most classic casseroles around here is definitely chicken broccoli rice casserole.
I mean, what is there not to love? It’s cheesy, creamy, and topped with buttery crackers.
And, just like chicken pot pie casserole, it’s a whole meal in one dish since it’s got your veggies mixed in, too. I still like to serve a salad on the side, but that’s totally optional. You can just pull this beauty out of the oven and call it a day!
Plus, you could totally make this ahead of time if you’re on the meal prep train. That’s always a great option for a busy weekday dinner.
How to make chicken broccoli rice casserole
One of the best things about a good casserole recipe is how easy it is to make. This chicken broccoli rice casserole is no different! It’s perfect for busy parents or anyone looking to make their weeknights just a bit simpler.
Ingredients you’ll need
I played around with this recipe a good bit, trying to find the right balance between packing in tons of flavor and keeping it super easy.
To make my chicken broccoli rice casserole, you will need:
- 1 pound frozen broccoli
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shredded rotisserie chicken (about 3 cups of cooked chicken)
- 2 cups instant rice
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup milk
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers, crushed
I originally made this casserole with fresh broccoli, but I had to cook it before I added it to the casserole. You can still choose to do this, but it adds another step (and another pot to clean!).
Instant rice is one of the big keys to making this recipe quick and easy. By using instant rice, you can skip having to cook the rice ahead of time and reduce the time the casserole needs in the oven.
I like to use a rotisserie chicken for this recipe, but any cooked chicken will do.
If your family doesn’t like cream of mushroom soup, feel free to use a second can of cream of chicken soup (or even a can of cream of celery soup) instead.
Recipe Tip
If you want your chicken broccoli rice casserole to be extra cheesy, try swapping out the Ritz cracker topping for cheese crackers, similar to what I did on my broccoli casserole.
Making this recipe
To make your chicken broccoli rice casserole, start by rinsing the frozen broccoli under cold water to start the thawing process. Don’t panic if it’s not fully thawed by the time you need to mix it with the other ingredients; everything will work out in the oven!
Add the olive oil or butter to a nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the onion. Saute the onion for 3-5 minutes or until softened, then add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
You might be tempted to skip this step, but don’t! It takes just a few minutes and adds SO much flavor to the final casserole.
Remove the sauteed onion and garlic from the heat and add it to a large mixing bowl along with the broccoli, chicken, rice, canned soups, cheese, chicken stock, and milk. Add a big pinch of salt and pepper and mix well.
Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish and top with the crushed crackers. Bake for 30-40 minutes; it’s done when the rice is cooked through, the edges are bubbly, and the crackers are golden brown.
Make-ahead tips
Just like chicken spaghetti casserole or cheeseburger tater tot casserole, this chicken broccoli rice casserole is a great meal to prep ahead of time.
Make the casserole according to the instructions, but leave off the crushed Ritz crackers. Cover with foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
You could also cover it tightly with two layers of foil and freeze it for up to a month. Let the casserole thaw in the refrigerator the night before you plan to bake it.
Before baking, let the chicken broccoli rice casserole sit at room temperature while the oven preheats. Top with the crackers and bake as directed.
Storage and reheating
Store leftover chicken broccoli rice casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. If you have a large amount leftover that you wish to reheat, place it in an oven-safe container, cover with foil, and place in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes.
FAQS
Yes! If you have fresh broccoli that you’d like to use, cut it into florets and cook it in salted, boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Once the broccoli is cooked and fully drained, you can add it to the recipe as instructed.
The amount of liquid and the cooking time for this particular recipe is designed based on using instant rice. If you use regular uncooked rice, the rice won’t cook through in the oven.
If you want to use your preferred rice, you will need to par-boil the rice. This process will partially cook the rice before adding it to the casserole, then it will finish cooking in the oven.
If you don’t like using canned soups, you can use a homemade cream of chicken soup substitute instead.
If you need this chicken broccoli rice casserole to be gluten free, make sure you use gluten-free cream of mushroom soup and cream of chicken soup. Campbell’s makes a gluten-free version of both.
You will also want to swap out the Ritz crackers for a gluten-free alternative. You can also skip the crackers entirely and sprinkle additional cheese on the top instead.
If you are making this gluten free, make sure you use ingredients that are certified gluten free in order to avoid any cross contamination.
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen broccoli
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1-2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 rotisserie chicken shredded (about 3 cups cooked chicken)
- 2 cups instant rice
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup 10.5 ounces
- 1 can cream of chicken soup 10.5 ounces
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup milk
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 3.5 ounces Ritz crackers crushed (1 standard sleeve)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Rinse the frozen broccoli under cold water to slightly thaw. Do not worry if the broccoli is not fully thawed by the time you need to add it to the casserole.
- Heat the olive oil or butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion; cook for 3-5 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Remove from the heat and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the broccoli, chicken, rice, soups, cheese, chicken stock, and milk. Stir to combine. Season with a heavy pinch of salt and pepper and mix thoroughly.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and top evenly with the crushed crackers.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the rice is cooked through, the edges are bubbling, and the crackers are golden brown.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This has been one of my favorite recipes lately. I loved the tip to use a rotisserie chicken! Last time I made it, I made an extra one to freeze for meal prep and I’m looking forward to having it again in a week or two.
This was just okay, could have used more seasoning and I added parsley flakes and salt and pepper. I have a lot left over and had hoped to use it for 2 more meals- I have to think of something to wake it up. I don’t care for spicy food but this was bland. I used my own left over chicken, won’t waste it on this again