Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole Recipe

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It can be a headache thinking about meals for guests, particularly if you’re not a recipe developer. Got assigned to kitchen duty during a special family event or need a tasty but easy-to-make dish for a potluck? If a new recipe is what you need, try making this cheesy chicken broccoli casserole recipe.

A casserole dish is an all-time favorite, and adding cheese only adds to its appeal. This great meal is not only super easy to prepare, but the ingredients are also easy to find. You probably have half of them already in your kitchen cabinets. Filled with vitamin c and only 1g trans fat or 2g of saturated fat, this main course cuisine is absolutely delicious. Learn how to make this recipe below.

How to Make Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole Recipe

This cheesy chicken and broccoli rice casserole recipe calls for delicious rice cooked in chicken broth, fresh rotisserie chicken, fresh broccoli, and plenty of cheese.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Materials Needed:

Baking dish
Stove
Saucepan
Large bowl

Ingredients:

1 cup white long-grain rice
2 cup broccoli florets
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil or unsalted butter
1 cup onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup sour cream
2 ½ cup condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar
1/4 cup bread crumbs (panko)
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Garlic powder (optional)

Directions:

Heat butter or heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook, turning often until the onion is tender and garlic is aromatic.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, for another 6 minutes or until golden.
Combine the rice, sour cream, and 1 cup of chicken soup in a mixing bowl. Add to the saucepan. Cook, stirring occasionally until the long grain rice is cooked.
Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups broth, broccoli, and cream cheese. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is soft, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
Season the chicken and broccoli mixture with salt, black pepper, and bread crumbs. Add garlic powder if desired.
Add chicken mixture to the prepared baking dish. Cover tightly and cook for 20 minutes in a preheated oven. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top. Remove the lid and continue to bake uncovered until the cheddar cheese is melted for about 5 minutes.
Serve cooked chicken and broccoli and enjoy. Feel free to top the casserole with the remaining cheese, if there’s still any.

Cooking Notes and Kitchen Tips

If fresh broccoli is unavailable, you can use frozen broccoli. Thaw the frozen broccoli before using it in the casserole recipe. You can also use cauliflower instead.
You can add crumbled bacon on top of the cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole after it’s done cooking.
If you want a less creamy texture, you can use a low-sodium chicken broth instead of the cream of chicken soup. Use the same measurement stated in the casserole recipe above.
Aside from long-grain white rice, you can also use short-grain rice. Broccoli rice is also a good substitute, just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Use shredded chicken breasts if you want a more easy-to-serve chicken broccoli rice casserole. Using deboned chicken thighs is okay too.
For a more flavorful casserole, you use garlic salt in place of regular salt and mustard powder, and paprika instead of black pepper.

Final Word

Serve this pure comfort food during a family gathering or simply enjoy it with your family at a casual lunch. This chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is incredibly tasty, and owing to the added cheese, even the kids can enjoy it!

Want to try out another rice recipe? You can visit our blog.

Frequently Asked Questions

What pairs well with a cheesy chicken broccoli casserole recipe?

This rich and cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole dish is filling enough to serve as a main course. If you want a side dish to go with it, a salad with garlic cheese toast is usually a hit. This dish also goes well with a side of corn, green beans, or your favorite vegetable. Garlic bread or crescent rolls are also great side dishes.

How to store leftovers?

If you have plenty of leftover cheesy chicken broccoli casserole, cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for a few seconds before eating.

Can I use pasta instead of rice?

Definitely! You can use Rigatoni pasta in place of rice. If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you can try out different other pastas as well. Instead of adding it along with the other casserole ingredients, cook your preferred pasta in a large pot first. Make sure that it’s only semi-cooked before adding it to the chicken broccoli rice casserole above.

Can I use brown rice or wild rice in this cheesy chicken broccoli casserole dish?

You can, but be aware that these rice types demand more liquid and take longer to cook than white long grain rice. Whether to use brown or wild rice is a personal choice. Adjust the amount of chicken broth you use according to the package directions and change the cooking time as well. You may alternatively cook the rice separately, with a bouillon cube added to the water for added flavor. You can also use chicken broth instead of water. In the end, you’ll need 2 cups of cooked rice. Use the cooked rice as stated in the recipe.

Can I use other types of cheese?

Aside from cream cheese and cheddar cheese, you can also use Mozzarella or Parmesan cheese. If you want a more tangy but light flavored cheese, you can use Provolone. For an even creamier texture, try using Ricotta cheese for the chicken broccoli rice casserole.