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Home > Side Dish > Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Last updated February 16, 2021. Originally posted June 10, 2020 By Jyothi Rajesh 19 Comments

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cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole with text
cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole with text
cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole with text
chicken and broccoli rice casserole with text
chicken and broccoli rice casserole with text overlay
broccoli rice casserole with chicken and cheese in casserole dish with text overlay
cheesy chicken and broccoli rice casserole cooked in glass casserole dish with text
chicken and broccoli rice casserole in dish with text overlay
cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole with text

Cheesy chicken and broccoli rice casserole is cheesy, creamy and totally comforting side dish that is perfect with any meal. Make it for special occasions or simply enjoy for everyday dinner! This rice casserole isn’t boring and dull, it’s jazzed with flavors! Truly a keeper recipe!

cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole

Casserole recipes are generally easy to make. Prep everything, dump in casserole and bake! That’s exactly this recipe is about! Prepping for this rice casserole dish might seem a little lengthy and tedious job, but I assure you it’s all the worth it.

There may be a couple of steps involved in prep before you dump everything into the dish, but they are all pretty fast and easy steps to follow. Don’t get intimidated.

Why Try This Chicken Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole Recipe?

  • Ever felt that rice casseroles are boring and dull, lacking flavors? Not anymore. We have jazzed up flavors of this casserole recipe. Try it and you’ll agree!
  • It’s packed with protein, nutrients and essential carbs.
  • It’s cheesy, creamy and totally comforting side dish. Don’t shy from reaching for second and third servings of this rice casserole.
  • A perfect side dish for special occasions or gatherings. But why wait for special occasions, go ahead and enjoy it with your family for everyday dinner as well.
  • Try once and you’ll be hooked. This dish will easily go up your weekly menu plan chart.
  • Crowd pleaser! Kids, adults everyone would love it.
  • If you don’t care about making everything from scratch (I did everything from scratch), feel free to use condensed cream of chicken soup (for vegetarians use can of cream of mushroom soup) and use frozen broccoli. It’s convenient to use canned and packed foods.

Ingredients Needed For Broccoli And Rice Casserole

All you need to make this fabulous casserole is shown below:

ingredients for broccoli rice casserole spread out on board

Note: This recipe instructs you to make everything from scratch. From cheese sauce to using broccoli florets and cooking it instead of pre-cooked frozen broccoli.

If you plan to use canned stuffed you will need can of condensed chicken soup and for vegetarian option – can of cream of mushroom soup.

How To Make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole (step-by-step pictorial)

Prep:

Clean chicken breast, pat it dry with kitchen paper towel. Cut into small bite size pieces. To the chicken add a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper, Italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Mix well to coat evenly.

Heat olive oil in a pan. Saute chicken pieces until seared on all sides. Don’t completely cook the chicken pieces. Remove seared chicken pieces from the pan into a separate bowl.

Into the same pan add chicken stock (use vegetable stock vegetarian option). Add rice into the boiling water. Reduce flame to low, cover the pan with lid and cook rice until done for about 10-12 minutes(time may vary depending on the pot your use and the type of rice.) Once rice is cooked, remove it into a bowl.

Jo’s Tip: DO NOT USE MINUTE RICE FOR THIS RECIPE!

Rinse broccoli under tap water. Chop into small bite sized pieces. Boil broccoli florets in boiling water for 2 minutes. You want it broccoli to still have a crunch. Don’t cook the broccoli through. Using slotted spatula, transfer immediately half cooked broccoli into a bowl.

step by step pictorial instructions of chicken broccoli rice casserole

Make The Sauce:

Note – skip this step if you are using canned soup in your dish.

Melt butter in a pan. Saute yellow onions until tender.

Add minced garlic and stir for a minute.

Next add flour, dry mustard powder, a pinch of salt and pepper, and remaining cayenne pepper.

Reduce flame to medium low. Keep stirring to cook the flour mix. Make sure you don’t brown or burn the flour.

Slowly pour milk into the flour onion mix while whisking constantly. Pour all the milk and keep stirring. Cook the sauce for few minutes on low flames.

Add cream cheese and half of freshly grated cheddar cheese to the sauce mix. Whisk continuing to cook on low flame until cheese is melted and blended through.

Bake Until Bubbly:

In a large bowl gently stir half cooked broccoli, sautéed chicken, hot cooked rice and cheese sauce until combined. Transfer the mix into a greased ceramic or oven proof glass casserole or baking dish. Spread evenly.

step by step pictorial instructions of chicken broccoli rice casserole

Sprinkle remaining grated cheddar cheese on top.

Jo’s Tip: additionally add ritz cracker or bread crumb topping on top of grated cheese.

Ritz cracker topping – combine crushed ritz cracker with melted butter and sprinkle on top of cheese before baking.

Bread crumb topping-toss fresh soft bread crumbs with melted butter, sprinkle it on top just before it goes into the oven.

Cover with aluminium foil (you can bake uncovered. Keep close eye on casserole to ensure cheese does not brown)

Bake in pre-heated oven at 350 degree Fahrenheit for about 20-30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

step by step pictorial instructions of chicken broccoli rice casserole

Serve with your favorite meal, enjoy!

Substitutions On Broccoli Rice Casserole

Canned Soup (For Cheese Sauce): to save time and for convenience use canned cream of mushroom soup or canned condensed cream chicken soup.

Pre-packaged Broccoli: to save time, you can use frozen broccoli or pre-packaged broccoli  and/or cauliflower can also be used.

Using Store Bought Rotisserie Chicken: feel free to use store bought rotisserie chicken (or even the leftovers). Chop chicken into small bite size pieces, measure about 1 ½ cups to use. Saves time definitely.

Using Other Varieties of Rice: white long grain rice is the best choice for this casserole recipe. You can substitute long grain rice with brown rice or even quinoa for lighter and healthier options.

Brown rice will take longer to cook and you may want to adjust the cooking time according.

How To Store Leftovers?

Transfer leftovers to a box. Cover with lid and store it in fridge. It stays good for 3 days.

For longer storage, you can freeze chicken broccoli cheese rice casserole for up to 3 months. Reheat directly in microwave for a minute or two. You can reheat in oven as well (you may get crispy top from reheating).

Serving Suggestions

This cheesy, creamy rice casserole goes well as side dish along with roasted meat.
Also can be served as an entree for light dinner.

baked cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole fresh out of oven

DON’T FORGET TO TRY OTHER CHEESY DISHES:

Cheesy Cauliflower Bread sticks

Beer Cheese Dip

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Cream Cheese Dip

Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Sauce

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wooden spatula in cheesy broccoli rice casserole dish
5 from 8 votes

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Jyothi Rajesh
Cheesy chicken and broccoli rice casserole is cheesy, creamy and totally comforting side dish that is perfect with any meal. Make it for special occasions or simply enjoy for everyday dinner! This rice casserole isn’t boring and dull, it’s jazzed with flavors! Truly a keeper recipe!
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Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 1 hr
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 533

Ingredients
  

  • 5 cups broccoli cut into bite size pieces
  • 1 ½ cups long grain rice
  • 2 boneless chicken breasts cleaned and diced or use 1 ½ cup store bough rotisserie chicken
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 ¾ cups low sodium chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoon flour
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 3 tablespoon cream cheese
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese fresh grated
  • Salt n pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Prep:

  • Clean chicken breast, pat it dry with kitchen paper towel. Cut into small bite size pieces. To the chicken add a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper, Italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Mix well to coat evenly.
  • Heat olive oil in a pan. Saute chicken pieces until seared on all sides. Don’t completely cook the chicken pieces. Remove seared chicken pieces from the pan into a separate bowl.
  • Into the same pan add chicken stock (use vegetable stock vegetarian option). Add rice into the boiling water. Reduce flame to low, cover the pan with lid and cook rice until done for about 10-12 minutes(time may vary depending on the pot your use and the type of rice.) Once rice is cooked, remove it into a bowl.
    Jo’s Tip: DO NOT USE MINUTE RICE FOR THIS RECIPE!
  • Rinse broccoli under tap water. Chop into small bite sized pieces. Boil broccoli florets in boiling water for 2 minutes. You want it broccoli to still have a crunch. Don’t cook the broccoli through. Using slotted spatula, transfer immediately half cooked broccoli into a bowl.

Make The Sauce:

  • Note – skip this step if you are using canned soup in your dish.
  • Melt butter in a pan. Saute yellow onions until tender.
  • Add minced garlic and stir for a minute.
  • Next add flour, dry mustard powder, a pinch of salt and pepper, and remaining cayenne pepper.
  • Reduce flame to medium low. Keep stirring to cook the flour mix. Make sure you don’t brown or burn the flour.
  • Slowly pour milk into the flour onion mix while whisking constantly. Pour all the milk and keep stirring. Cook the sauce for few minutes on low flames.
  • Add cream cheese and half of freshly grated cheddar cheese to the sauce mix. Whisk continuing to cook on low flame until cheese is melted and blended through.

Bake Until Bubbly:

  • In a large bowl gently stir half cooked broccoli, sautéed chicken, hot cooked rice and cheese sauce until combined. Transfer the mix into a greased ceramic or oven proof glass casserole or baking dish. Spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle remaining grated cheddar cheese on top.
  • Jo’s Tip: additionally add ritz cracker or bread crumb topping on top of grated cheese.
  • Ritz cracker topping – combine crushed ritz cracker with melted butter and sprinkle on top of cheese before baking.
  • Bread crumb topping-toss fresh soft bread crumbs with melted butter, sprinkle it on top just before it goes into the oven.
  • Cover with aluminium foil (you can bake uncovered. Keep close eye on casserole to ensure cheese does not brown)
  • Bake in pre-heated oven at 350 degree Fahrenheit for about 20-30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

 Do NOT use minute rice for this recipe.
Skip the step (Make the sauce) if you are using canned soup in your dish.
You can add ritz cracker or bread crumb topping on top of grated cheese.
Ritz cracker topping – combine crushed ritz cracker with melted butter and sprinkle on top of cheese before baking.
Bread crumb topping-toss fresh soft bread crumbs with melted butter, sprinkle it on top just before it goes into the oven.
Substitutions On Broccoli Rice Casserole
Canned Soup (For Cheese Sauce): to save time and for convenience use canned cream of mushroom soup or canned condensed cream chicken soup.
Pre-packaged Broccoli: to save time, you can use frozen broccoli or pre-packaged broccoli  and/or cauliflower can also be used.
Using Store Bought Rotisserie Chicken: feel free to use store bought rotisserie chicken (or even the leftovers). Chop chicken into small bite size pieces, measure about 1 ½ cups to use. Saves time definitely.
Using Other Varieties of Rice: white long grain rice is the best choice for this casserole recipe. You can substitute long grain rice with brown rice or even quinoa for lighter and healthier options.
Brown rice will take longer to cook and you may want to adjust the cooking time according.
 
 
Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that nutritional information provided is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 533kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 25gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 331mgPotassium: 360mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 825IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 354mgIron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Follow @CurryTrail and tag #CurryTrail to share your creation!
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    Comments & Reviews

  1. Emilee says

    August 31, 2020

    August 31, 2020 at 12:32 am

    The recipe doesn’t have broccoli or the amount listed in the ingredients. How much should be used?

    Reply
    • Jyothi Rajesh says

      August 31, 2020

      August 31, 2020 at 3:07 pm

      Sorry about that. Please use 5 cups of broccoli cut into bite size pieces. Updates the recipe now. Thank you

      Reply
  2. Jamie says

    August 3, 2020

    August 03, 2020 at 11:35 am

    5 stars
    These casserole dishes are a favorite to make for weeknight dinners! This looks incredible and I love anything with cheese and broccoli so I know this’ll be so delicious!

    Reply
    • Jyothi Rajesh says

      August 3, 2020

      August 03, 2020 at 4:48 pm

      Glad you liked it

      Reply
  3. Daniela Gerson says

    August 3, 2020

    August 03, 2020 at 9:44 am

    Good looking casserole and nice cheese capture! All your step-by-step pics rock and make following the recipe super easy :).

    Reply
    • Jyothi Rajesh says

      August 3, 2020

      August 03, 2020 at 4:48 pm

      I’m glad you liked it Daniela

      Reply
  4. Neha Khanuja says

    August 3, 2020

    August 03, 2020 at 8:55 am

    Looks like a perfect casserole to me! So cheesy, creamy and choke full of amazing flavors, can’t wait to try it out!

    Reply
    • Jyothi Rajesh says

      August 3, 2020

      August 03, 2020 at 4:48 pm

      Hope you like it

      Reply
  5. Sara says

    August 3, 2020

    August 03, 2020 at 8:45 am

    5 stars
    Oh my gosh, this is the most flavorful cheesy broccoli rice casserole ever! Honestly this is one of my favorite vegetable/comfort foods of all time. So many flavors, so easy to make, and everyone loves it!

    Reply
    • Jyothi Rajesh says

      August 3, 2020

      August 03, 2020 at 4:47 pm

      We love it too

      Reply
  6. Jenny says

    August 2, 2020

    August 02, 2020 at 10:32 pm

    5 stars
    Just looking at this casserole made me hungry. Wonderful recipe! Thanks for adding the substitutions, just made it easier for me to make it tonight for dinner.

    Reply
    • Jyothi Rajesh says

      August 3, 2020

      August 03, 2020 at 4:47 pm

      Hope you like it

      Reply
  7. Paula Montenegro says

    August 2, 2020

    August 02, 2020 at 5:32 pm

    5 stars
    I can eat rice every day and this is the type of recipe I love! Great use of flavors and anything that goes into the oven with cheese at the last minute is a favorite here!

    Reply
    • Jyothi Rajesh says

      August 2, 2020

      August 02, 2020 at 8:35 pm

      Glad you liked it

      Reply
  8. Chandice Probst says

    August 2, 2020

    August 02, 2020 at 9:47 am

    5 stars
    I’ve always wanted a really good chicken rice casserole recipe and now I have one! Thanks for making it simple and easy to follow.

    Reply
    • Jyothi Rajesh says

      August 2, 2020

      August 02, 2020 at 8:36 pm

      So glad you liked it

      Reply
  9. Eva says

    July 31, 2020

    July 31, 2020 at 11:49 pm

    5 stars
    I love casserole dishes, I love how practical they are and they’re usually excellent lunch box material! I have a similar recipe with broccoli, mozarella and pasta, so I’m excited to try yours with chicken and rice in it!

    Reply
    • Jyothi Rajesh says

      August 1, 2020

      August 01, 2020 at 6:00 pm

      Hope you enjoy it.

      Reply
  10. Heidy says

    July 28, 2020

    July 28, 2020 at 10:03 pm

    Cheesy chicken and broccoli rice casserole is a family favorite that we make often. I cannot wait to make your recipe and I bet the family loves it.

    Reply

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Jyothi - Author of Curry Trail.

Welcome, I'm Jyothi

My food philosophy is simple, fresh and full of flavors! I love ‘spicy’ food. In fact so much so that I can skip dessert for extra spicy savory food!

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