Looking for more great casseroles to add to your rotation? Be sure to try our Tuna Noodle Casserole, Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Casserole, and Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole next!
You will love this Chicken Rice and Broccoli casserole!
With all our instant pot, slow cooker, sheet pan or one pan dinners and skillet meals that are so popular these days, I feel like the good ol’ casserole gets overlooked. These vintage-y creations bring to mind potlucks and church suppers and have often served the function of stretching food during tough times. And today I’m teaming up with some of my favorite food blogging friends to share casserole recipes of all sorts, including this cheesy chicken broccoli and rice casserole, so be sure to keep scrolling to the end of the post to get all the casserole inspiration you need! With a vegetable, protein, and starch, this chicken, broccoli and rice casserole is a complete meal in one dish. And while many casserole recipes call for cans of cream of something soup, I skipped it in favor of making a super simple from scratch version for the sauce. All it takes is a little chicken broth mixed into sauteed onions and garlic, thickened with a little flour to create a quick base that you can doctor up with some sour cream and seasonings. Then the rest of the dish is mostly about assembly. You could either layer everything into a casserole dish, starting with rice, then the shredded chicken, broccoli, sauce and cheese, or mix it all together. I mixed everything together in this version, but I like it both ways. I also included a panko topping here for a little extra texture and crunch, but you can forgo that as well if you prefer a cheesy top. As for the protein in this casserole, I’m all about roasting an extra whole chicken or doubling up my crispy cast iron skillet chicken thighs and using the extra meat in meals like this during the week. Or picking up a rotisserie chicken from Costco. It just makes life that much easier. It also makes it super easy to double up your cooking and assemble more than one chicken broccoli and rice casserole at once if you need to take a meal to a friend in need of a helping hand or some comfort. Because although they may not be foodie-forward or fancy, nothing quite says “I’m here for you” like a casserole dinner prepared by someone else so you don’t have to worry about what to put on the table that night. And that’s something that will always be in style.
Broccoli Rice Casserole ingredients
Sauce
Butter – For sauteing the onions and garlic. Onion – Adds savory depth of flavor and extra veggies Garlic Flour – To help thicken the sauce. Chicken broth – You can use homemade, storebought, or make it from chicken bouillon and water. Salt Black pepper Poultry seasoning – A wonderful seasoning blend of dried herbs. Sour cream – This will add a wonderful creaminess to the sauce and will also help thicken it up a bit. Milk
Casserole
Cooked chicken – A rotisserie chicken works well with this recipe but any chicken shredded or chopped into bite size pieces will work. Cooked rice Broccoli florets – Fresh or frozen can be used. I like to blanch my fresh broccoli to help speed up the cooking process. Freshly grated cheddar cheese – This melts much better than pre-shredded cheese from the store which has a powdery substance around it that prevents it from sticking and clumping but also impedes it’s melting ability.
Crumb topping
Panko bread crumbs or crushed cornflakes Freshly grated parmesan cheese Salted butter
Can I substitute fresh broccoli for frozen in a casserole?
Yes! If you are planning on using fresh broccoli, I would recommend blanching it first. One way to do this is to bring a pot of salted water to boil and boil the broccoli florets for 2-3 minutes. Or you can set the broccoli in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 2-3 minutes. If you prefer a crunchier broccoli and less soft, just skip the blanching step.
How to make Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Serving this Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole
This casserole is a meal in itself with your protein, veggie, carbs, and dairy all in one delicious dish. But you wouldn’t go amiss serving it with a crisp salad, some crusty bread, or fresh fruit.
How to store Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
You shouldn’t leave the finished casserole out at room temperature for more than two hours. Once the casserole has cooled, cover tightly with plastic wrap or tin foil or place in an airtight container. Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Does broccoli rice casserole freeze well?
Yes you can! Broccoli and rice freezes well. You can freeze this casserole before or after baking. Store it properly in the freezer and it will be good for a couple months in the freezer. When ready to reheat, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight or place directly in a preheated oven and cook for 60 minutes.
More Casserole Recipes Your Family Will Love
Cheesy Baked Spaghetti Casserole Biscuits and Gravy Casserole Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Fresh Green Bean Casserole
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