Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

When you have leftover chicken in the refrigerator, count on a casserole recipe to use it up. This chicken broccoli rice casserole features cooked chicken, broccoli, rice and plenty of cheddar cheese. If you don’t have chicken on hand but are still in the mood for a cheesy casserole, grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. This comforting and cozy casserole comes together in just 45 minutes, making it an ideal dinner recipe for any night of the week.

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Ingredients

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• Butter: Butter adds richness to the chicken broccoli and rice casserole filling.
• Instant rice: This pantry staple is one of our favorite shortcuts when you need dinner in a flash. There are plenty of instant rice brands to choose from. If you have leftover cooked rice, you’ll need about 3 cups for this recipe.
• Chicken broth: Use low-sodium broth to help control the salt level in this broccoli chicken rice casserole recipe. You can use homemade chicken broth or your favorite store-bought brand.
• Milk: We like to use 2% milk for its creamy flavor and silky texture. Whole milk works, but nonfat milk might render the casserole too thin.
• Condensed cream of chicken soup: Cream of chicken soup is a staple in casserole, pasta and hearty soup recipes. You can also use a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup.
• Seasonings: This chicken rice broccoli casserole uses garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
• Chicken: This recipe calls for cooked chicken breast, but any leftover chicken will do. Buying rotisserie chicken from the store is a great shortcut. Cut it into cubes before adding it to the recipe.
• Broccoli florets: Fresh broccoli florets amp up the nutrition in this cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole.
• Cheddar cheese: Plenty of shredded cheddar cheese adds to the comfort factor of this cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole dish. Freshly shredded cheese will have the best flavor and melt the easiest, but you can use packaged shredded cheese too.
• Cracker topping: Crushed Ritz crackers combined with melted butter make up the crisp and crunchy topping on this broccoli chicken rice casserole.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the rice filling

Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a Dutch oven, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add the instant rice, broth, milk, condensed cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, salt, pepper and onion powder. Stir until well combined.

Step 2: Add the chicken

Stir in the chicken, broccoli and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Cook until heated through, five to seven minutes. Top with the remaining 1 cup cheese.

Step 3: Bake the casserole

Cover the Dutch oven. Bake the casserole until the cheese is bubbly and the rice is cooked, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the casserole from the oven.

Step 4: Toast the topping

Turn the oven to a broil function. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole. Broil 2 to 3 inches from the heat for two to three minutes or until the cracker topping is golden brown.

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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Variations

• Add more veggies: Add chopped bell pepper, baby spinach, mushrooms or cauliflower florets to pack in more nutrition.
• Try brown rice: You can use instant brown rice instead of white rice, but it may take longer to cook.
• Use bread crumbs: Instead of crackers you can use seasoned bread crumbs mixed with melted butter for the crumb topping.
• Switch up the soup: Cream of celery or cream of broccoli are two more options for the condensed soup.
• Change the cheese: Cheddar is a classic ingredient for chicken broccoli rice casserole. However, you could also experiment with different flavors and use Swiss, Monterey Jack or mozzarella for a milder flavor.

How to Store Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Leftover chicken rice broccoli casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. It lasts up to four days in the fridge and three months in the freezer.

Can you freeze chicken broccoli rice casserole?

You can freeze broccoli chicken rice casserole in an airtight container for up to three months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.

Can you make chicken broccoli rice casserole ahead of time?

You can prepare the chicken broccoli and rice casserole up to 24 hours in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Remove it from the fridge while the oven is preheating to allow it to come to room temperature. You can also prepare the casserole in a freezer-safe container, cover it and freeze it for up to three months.

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Tips

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Can you use frozen broccoli for chicken broccoli casserole?

You can use frozen broccoli for cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole, but you will want to steam it until it is crisp-tender before adding it to the recipe. (If you cook the frozen broccoli in the microwave, cook it for about half the recommended time.) Precooking the broccoli helps prevent adding extra moisture to the casserole as it cooks.

What can you serve with chicken broccoli rice casserole?

Try one of our favorite side dishes with casseroles, such as herbed dinner rolls, a refreshing tropical fruit salad or an apple feta salad.