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. (It’s also in The Cozy Cookbook on page 178!)
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- fresh or frozen, see info below
- Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup– Try my homemade recipe!
- Milk- any kind of fat content is fine
- Sour Cream- Mayo may also be used
- Cheddar Cheese– Shred your own from a block at home for best results. I use Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp Yellow cheese as it melts really well. Avoid aged/crystalized cheeses as those won’t melt well.
Topping:
- Ritz Crackers
- Butter
*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.
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 (partially cooked), but you may want to consider steaming it as well for a softer texture in the casserole.
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, consider using 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 15 minutes to baking time.
- The cracker/butter topping should be added at the end of baking.
Freezer:
- Assemble the casserole as outlined and do not bake. Let it thaw for 24 hours in the fridge. Let it sit out for 30 minutes prior to baking and 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
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Did You Make This Recipe?
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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
- 1/2 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. I use white long grain rice and the cooking time/liquid amount below works perfectly.
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- 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 6 minutes.
- Add the broccoli and replace the cover. Cook for 9 more minutes, or until no liquid remains in the pot and the rice is cooked through. (If it's not cooked through yet, quickly replace lid and simmer 5 more minutes, or until cooked through.)
- 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, cream of 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.
Notes
- Using Frozen Broccoli: 2 cups of frozen broccoli (and/or cauliflower) is a perfect alternative to fresh broccoli. Just be sure you thaw and pat it dry. Frozen broccoli is already blanched (partially cooked), but you may want to consider steaming it as well (about 5 minutes or so) for a softer texture in the casserole.
- Cheddar Cheese- Shred your own from a block at home for best results. I use Cracker Barrel Extra Sharp Yellow cheese as it melts really well. Avoid aged/crystalized cheeses as those won't melt well.
- Skip the can and try this with my Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup!
- Be sure to check out my ham and ground beef rice casseroles next!
- This recipe is in The Cozy Cookbook on page 178!
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 and add 10 minutes to baking time.
- The cracker/butter topping should be added at the end of baking.
Freezer:
- Assemble the casserole as outlined and do not bake. Let it thaw for 24 hours in the fridge. Let it sit out for 30 minutes prior to baking or add 15 minutes to baking time.
- The cracker/butter topping should be added at the end of baking.
The Nutritional information provided is an estimate and is per serving. This recipe makes 6 servings.
Nutrition
I followed this recipe to the t…and 2.5 hours later the rice is still crunchy and it’s soupy. Has a great flavor but I highly recommend minute rice
Hi Holly, the rice in this recipe is simply steamed before being baked. The process of steaming rice is universal- and something that can require practice. You need the water (or in this case, chicken broth), to be simmering at the proper temperature with a tight fitting lid. Crunchy, soupy rice simply means it wasn’t steamed properly prior to baking. The extra liquid is an indicator of this because the rice didn’t have a chance to absorb it all, which is also why it’s crunchy. By the time it’s sufficiently cooked through, there’s no more liquid. Minute rice can end up becoming mushy in this recipe. Instead of relying on that, I recommend learning how to steam rice. That’s all we’re doing! 😊
This recipe was soooooooo
Delicious!! Cooked it tonight. Great tasting! I didn’t have the Italian seasoning but still taste great!!! Thank you for sharing!
You’re very welcome Chyloe, I’m so happy you liked it! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!💗
I made this for dinner a couple of nights ago, and it was delicious! Even my husband commented how good it was. Easy to make too. I only wish I knew the ratio of noodles to use in place of rice. I enjoyed rice but my children prefer pasta.
Hi JoAnn! I’m so happy that this recipe is a hit!! (It’s always a win in my house too!) I would image that cooking about 3 cups of rotini or a similar pasta would work well in this, or you can try my chicken noodle casserole, which also has broccoli/chicken, it’s similar to this! 🙂 Here is the link: https://thecozycook.com/easy-cheesy-chicken-noodle-casserole/
Hi Stephanie, what about putting this in a crock pot to keep warm to take to a potluck dinner?
Hi Julie, you don’t want the rice to get mushy, maybe if you take it out of the oven a few minutes sooner just in case! 🙂
I made this in my Dutch oven and baked it in this same pan. It worked great. My husband loved this casserole.
I’m so happy your husband loved it Deb! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!💖
Hi Stephanie. Can I substitute Asiago cheese for cheddar?
Hi Patty, although I haven’t tried it, I think that could be tasty! It would be great if maybe you could do a combination of asiago with something that might be a little creamier and subtle, just in case 2 cups of asiago ends up being overpowering.
Very happy with how this came out! I doubled the broccoli and the crumb topping but made no other changes. I had considered halving the cheese because 2 cups sounded like a lot, but the cup that gets mixed in blended and melted so well with the other ingredients that it wasn’t overwhelmingly cheesy as I had feared. This is also the first time I’ve ever cooked rice and not had it stick to the pan. Super delicious comfort food meal. Looking forward to a few days of leftovers! Thanks for sharing!
I am SOOO happy to hear that Kam!! I totally know what you mean about the cheese, it gets lost somehow in the casserole and isn’t too much! I’m so glad that this was your first time cooking rice without it sticking to the pan, kudos to you! Not stirring it makes a big difference. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how it came out, I really appreciate it!! 🙂 -Stephanie
This was a hit. I doubled the recipe and made my own rice. Everything came together beautifully!!
I’m so happy everything came together beautifully Alisha, nice work! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!💖
I really didn’t think I would like this recipe with the Italian seasoning and extra thyme but it was fantastic! I cooked the rice in a rice cooker, steamed a bag of broccoli then added them to the mixture of the rest of the ingredients before placing in a baking dish. I would definitely make again!
I’m so happy you were pleasantly surprised! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and leave a review!💖
I was wondering if I could use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Hi Summer, yes, that would be fine! 🙂
I have never left a review of a recipe but this was that good. I followed it exactly, made sure I did the times right, and it’s perfect. Delicious, perfect texture, and easy. Yum! Thank you!
You’re very welcome Sofia, thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!😃