This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole includes homemade condensed or Campbell’s Soup, flavorful rice cooked in chicken broth, and a buttery, crunchy Ritz topping. Cook up some fresh chicken or use Rotisserie!
Be sure to try my other rice casserole recipes using ham and broccoli, sausage and peppers, or ground beef and mushrooms. or chicken cordon bleu next!
Are you ready for the ultimate comfort food recipe? My family and I have been eating this chicken and rice casserole for years now. Who needs to separate chicken, rice, and broccoli when you can whip up a creamy casserole?!
This recipe is one of my favorite freezer foods. I’m pretty sure readers come back for this recipe more than any other. Once you try it, you’re pretty much hooked.
You can make it with chicken breasts, rotisserie chicken, and I even have a ham and a ground beef version!
Ingredients
See recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and instructions
- Butter
- Chicken Breasts
- Italian Seasoning
- Salt/Pepper
- Olive Oil
- Chicken Broth
- White Long Grain Rice– See below for info on using different rice
- Broccoli Florets
- Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup– Try my homemade recipe!
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Cheddar Cheese– Shred your own from a block at home for best results. This is always my brand of choice as it melts really well.
Topping:
- Ritz Crackers
- Butter
Optional Seasonings: 1 tsp dried thyme + 1/2 tsp garlic powder
*Consider using unsalted butter and low sodium chicken broth to decrease sodium content.
Cream of Chicken Soup Substitutes
- This recipe can be made with Cream of Mushroom, Cream of Broccoli, Cheddar Cheese, and Broccoli Cheese.
- OR, skip the can and make my 15-minute Cream of Chicken Soup recipe!
Don’t Use Minute Rice
I highly recommend you use regular long grain rice instead of minute rice:
- Long grain rice = creamier consistency. Short grain rice tends to be stickier.
- Regular rice has higher nutritional value and better flavor.
Using Brown or Wild Rice
These varieties take longer to cook and requires more liquid than white long grain rice.
- Refer to the package for the required amount of liquid and cooking time and adjust the amount of chicken broth that you use per package instructions. You want 2 cups of cooked rice at the end.
- You can also cook the rice separately, consider adding a bouillon cube to the water to add some additional flavor.
Using Frozen Broccoli
- 2 cups of frozen broccoli (and/or cauliflower) can also be used. Just be sure you thaw and pat it dry!
- Frozen broccoli is already blanched so you don’t need to cook it prior to mixing the casserole together, unless you prefer extra soft broccoli.
Using Rotisserie Chicken
This is a great casserole for rotisserie chicken, 2 cups is the perfect quantity to use.
Since rotisserie chicken can sometimes be salted, I highly recommend sticking with low sodium chicken broth so that your meal doesn’t turn out overly salty.
Make-Ahead Method (Assemble Now, Bake Later)
Refrigerator
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 2 days prior to baking. Let it sit out for 30 minutes prior to baking or add 10 minutes to baking time.
- The cracker/butter topping should be added at the end of baking.
Freezer:
- Option #1: Assemble the casserole and do not bake. Freeze for up to 3 months. If baking from a frozen state, add 1 hour of baking time at 350°, covered. Then bake as outlined in the recipe.
- Option #2: Assemble the casserole and do not bake. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge. Let it sit out for 30 minutes prior to baking or add 10 minutes to baking time.
- The cracker/butter topping should be added at the end of baking.
Storage
-Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
-This casserole is a great meal to freeze and is best if used within 3 months of freezing.
-I often reheat frozen lunch-sized portions in the microwave from a frozen state. If possible, I’ll also bake it 350 degree oven at the end to crisp up the top.
Tools For This Recipe
(Amazon affiliate links)- Check out all of my kitchen essentials here.
- 9×13 Casserole Dish
- 3.5 quart Dutch Oven– Conducts heat well, perfect for cooking rice in.
- Serving Spoons
- Measuring Cups and spoons
Try These Next!
-
- Mushroom Chicken
-
- Broccoli Pasta
-
- Ground Beef Stroganoff
-
- Smothered Chicken
-
- Baked Potato Soup
-
- Chicken Spaghetti
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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- Salt/Pepper, to taste
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/4 cups white long grain rice, uncooked
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets, uncooked
- 10.5 oz. Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, separated
Optional Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Casserole Topping
- 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
- 2 Tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Note: This recipe is designed to allow you to prepare all of the casserole ingredients in one pot before transferring to a casserole dish for baking. Before you begin, refer to your rice package for the amount of liquid (we'll use chicken broth) and cooking time. If preferred, cook the rice separately and skip the broth ingredient. You'll need 2 cups of cooked rice to combine with the other casserole ingredients. I use white long grain rice and the cooking times below work perfectly.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with Italian seasoning and desired amount of salt and pepper.
- Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat until melted. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside. Note: This step is not needed if using a cooked rotisserie chicken.
- Add the chicken broth, olive oil, and rice to the pot and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cover tightly and cook for 7 minutes.
- Add the broccoli (if using fresh) and replace the cover. Cook for 8 more minutes. Refrain from stirring.
- Turn off the heat and leave the cover on. Let the rice stand for 10 minutes, do not stir. Any rice on the bottom of the pot will release.
- Add the cooked chicken, soup, milk, sour cream, optional seasonings, and half of the cheddar cheese.
- Add to a lightly greased 9 x 13 casserole dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Cover and bake for 15 minutes.
Add the Topping:
- Melt the butter and crumble up the crackers. Combine to form the topping for the casserole.
- Top the casserole with the crumbled cracker topping and bake uncovered for 10 additional minutes.
- Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes prior to serving.
Video
Notes
Using Brown or Wild Rice These varieties take longer to cook and requires more liquid than white long grain rice.
- Refer to the package for the required amount of liquid and cooking time and adjust the amount of chicken broth that you use per package instructions. You want 2 cups of cooked rice at the end.
- You can also cook the rice separately, consider adding a bouillon cube to the water to add some additional flavor.
Heluva Good Cheddar Cheese is my brand of choice for this recipe, it's creamy and melts really well. Avoid extra sharp or aged cheeses as they won't melt as well.
*Consider using unsalted butter and low sodium chicken broth to decrease sodium content.
Make-Ahead Method: Assemble Now, Bake Later.
-
Refrigerator
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 2 days prior to baking. Let it sit out for 30 minutes prior to baking or add 10 minutes to baking time.
- The cracker/butter topping should be added at the end of baking.
Freezer:
- Option #1: Assemble the casserole and do not bake. Freeze for up to 3 months. If baking from a frozen state, add 1 hour of baking time at 350°, covered. Then bake as outlined in the recipe.
- Option #2: Assemble the casserole and do not bake. Let it thaw overnight in the fridge. Let it sit out for 30 minutes prior to baking or add 10 minutes to baking time.
- The cracker/butter topping should be added at the end of baking.
Be sure to check out my ham and ground beef rice casseroles next!
Skip the can and try this with my Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup!
Nutrition
I’m going to make this next week to deliver as part of a Meal Train. I have saltines in the house…okay to use those instead of Ritz? Maybe a slightly less buttery flavor but I imagine fine, right?
Hi Suzanne! I think Saltines would add a nice crunch, yes! Some other more common alternatives, if you happen to have those options, are breadcrumbs combined with a little butter, or crispy fried onions!