Description
This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender chicken, flavorful rice cooked in chicken broth, and a homemade or canned cream of chicken soup base. With a buttery Ritz cracker topping and melted cheddar cheese, it’s a family favorite that’s perfect for a quick dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
For the Casserole
2 tbsp butter
2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup white long-grain rice
2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen, see notes)
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup (or homemade)
½ cup milk (any fat content)
½ cup sour cream (or mayo as a substitute)
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (freshly shredded recommended)
For the Topping
1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the Chicken:
Season the chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown on all sides (about 5 minutes). Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
Cook the Rice:
In the same pot, add chicken broth, olive oil, and rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover tightly and cook for 6 minutes.
Add the Broccoli:
Add the broccoli to the pot and cover again. Cook for another 9 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is cooked through. If needed, cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Combine the Casserole Ingredients:
Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from heat and let it sit for 10 minutes (do not stir). Add the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir to combine.
Transfer to a Casserole Dish:
Lightly grease a 9×13 casserole dish and transfer the rice mixture into the dish. Top with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese.
Bake:
Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
Prepare the Topping:
While the casserole bakes, melt the butter and crush the Ritz crackers. Mix together to form the topping.
Add the Topping and Bake Again:
After 15 minutes, remove the casserole from the oven. Sprinkle the cracker topping evenly over the casserole and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, until the top is golden and crispy.
Rest and Serve:
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
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Frozen Broccoli: If using frozen broccoli, thaw and pat dry before adding to the casserole. You can also steam it for a softer texture.
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Rice: For a creamier casserole, avoid using minute rice. Use long-grain rice for better texture and flavor.
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Make-Ahead: You can assemble the casserole up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate. Let it sit out for 30 minutes before baking and add 15 minutes to the baking time.
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Freezing: This casserole can be frozen before baking. Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours, then bake as usual, adding 15 extra minutes to the baking time.
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Rotisserie Chicken: This recipe works great with rotisserie chicken. Use 2 cups of shredded chicken, and consider using low-sodium broth if the rotisserie chicken is salty.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
