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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

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!

Casserole Dish filled with broccoli cheddar chicken and rice casserole with a wooden spoon scooping some out.

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 SoupTry 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

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.

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overhead shot of broccoli cheddar chicken and rice casserole with wooden spoon in the dish.

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A wooden spoon with a scoop of broccoli chicken rice casserole from a casserole dish.

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

4.96 from 716 ratings
This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is an easy make ahead meal that you can assemble and bake another day! Your family will love the buttery, crunchy Ritz topping!

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

Pro Tips:
  • 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

Calories: 511kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 33g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 100mg, Sodium: 1174mg, Potassium: 470mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1068IU, Vitamin C: 35mg, Calcium: 376mg, Iron: 2mg
Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!

 

broccoli-cheddar-chicken-and-rice-casserole

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1,990 comments on “Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole”

  1. Have made this for my family dinner. Have not tasted but looks and smells wonderful. The test will be the grands reaction. The only negative, there are a lot of steps . Think it is worth the effort.

    • Happy to hear your enjoying the smells, I can’t wait for everyone to try it! My recipes do tend to have more steps and ingredients but I think that’s what gives it The Cozy Cook factor 😉

      • Making this for a potluck and wondering if it could be transferred into a crockpot after baking? I’ve made made this many times for family get togethers, and everyone has loved it! But I’ve always had it warm in the pan. At work, I’d need to keep it warm/warm it up somehow…so I was thinking crockpot.

      • Hi Crystal! I haven’t tested that before but I do think that it would work out well if it’s just on warm! ❤️

    • Love this dish! I love all-in-one meals and this one covers just about all of the food groups. I make this dish on a regular bases. One suggestion I have when preparing this dish is to wait to turn on the oven until the rice is almost done.. If you turn it on at the beginning, the oven will be on for at least 15 or more minutes while you prepare the chicken and rice, and that just runs up the electric bill. If your oven takes that long to heat up go ahead but I would wait till the rice is done. Otherwise, wonderful casserole!

      • I’m so happy that you love the recipe Dafnie! Thank you for sharing your tip! I like to share the preheating information at the beginning so that it doesn’t get lost in translation while the recipe is being prepared, but that can surely occur later on if preferred! 🙂

  2. This was an awesome recipe my son told me you can forget the chicken Alfredo this is my new favorite.

  3. It was great. Chicken moist and delicious. I’d make this again. It’s better and more tasty than others I’ve made. PS I added Italian seasoning, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. So flavorful. 

  4. I think I am cursed with this recipe lol.  My brain misses some of the steps and jumbles stuff up. The first time I made it, it came out great (delicious!), but I messed up and cooked the chicken with the rice w/o removing the chicken prior. This next time, I used brown rice and it was way under done when I combined all of the ingredients to bake (doh!) – should’ve continued cooking the rice, but couldn’t remember if it was supposed to be that way. Had I read the whole blog, I would’ve known all I needed. It took like 2 more hours to cook and rice was still pretty al dente. Edible though! 3rd time’s a charm? 🙂

    • Hi Jenn! Some pieces of advice, I do like to use white long grain rice with this recipe. (Brown takes longer and may require more liquid.) Make sure you use a sturdy pot with a tight fitting lid to cook the rice (I use a Dutch oven). It’s really just a matter of nailing down the rice- it should be cooked when it’s combined with the other casserole ingredients. So however you want to get your hands on cooked rice, that’s all you’ll need to do 🙂 You don’t have to cook it in chicken broth after you cook the chicken, that’s just a way to make it more flavorful. If it’s easier, you can cook the chicken, then combine it with steamed broccoli, 3 + 3/4 cups of cooked rice, and the other casserole ingredients, making sure to divide the cheese so that you have some for the top of the casserole. You got this!!!

  5. Great recipe. I added a little extra chicken. Delicious! Directions for recipe were excellent! So glad I found your page! Thank you!

  6. Made this using leftover grilled chicken and fresh broccoli . This turned out great will make again.

  7. Great recipe!
    My family of 5 picky eaters who all hate casseroles, are all eating it now and love it! For me, I like corn lakes toppings much better but it’s still very good and I would definitely make it again!

    • I’m so happy the picky eaters are enjoying this one Martha! Corn flakes are a great topping choice. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!💖

  8. Is the rice supposed to be cooked all the way before it makes it into the oven?

  9. The directions for making the dish were easy to follow. Made for an excellent meal! I will add this recipe to my favorites!

    • I’m so happy it was a hit and you found the instructions easy to follow! It’s one of my go to casseroles in my house. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!💗

  10. Excellent!!! Rice and broccoli perfect, used a rotisserie chicken breast meat with the Italian seasoning. I used gluten free cream of chicken and gluten free crackers and added about a 1/2 cup of
    gluten free fried onion rings to the cracker crumbs. The only thing I would change is to use less dried thyme next time, I found it a little overpowering. Thanks Stephanie.

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