If you’re seeking a comforting, wholesome meal that brings together tender chicken, fluffy rice, and vibrant broccoli all smothered in cheesy goodness, you’re going to love this Easy Chicken Rice Broccoli Casserole Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate—simple to make, full of flavor, and perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners. The creamy texture combined with sharp cheddar and subtle seasonings turns humble ingredients into a true crowd-pleaser, making it a staple you’ll want to revisit again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together in harmony, each playing a crucial role to create the perfect balance of taste, texture, and color. You’ll find there’s nothing complicated here—just fresh, everyday staples designed to make this dish a breeze without sacrificing flavor.
- Olive oil: Adds a lovely richness and helps sear the chicken to perfection.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The lean protein base that stays tender and juicy.
- Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance all other flavors beautifully.
- Unsalted butter: Brings a creamy, velvety texture to the base sauce.
- Yellow onion: Finely diced for a sweet and savory foundation.
- Minced garlic: Provides aromatic depth and a subtle kick.
- Uncooked long-grain white rice: Perfect for absorbing the creamy sauce while remaining tender.
- Dried thyme: Adds gentle herbal notes that brighten the dish.
- Ground mustard: Gives a subtle warmth and complexity to the flavor.
- Paprika: Introduces a hint of smoky sweetness and rich color.
- All-purpose flour: Essential for thickening the creamy base.
- Milk (whole milk preferred): Creates the luscious, comforting sauce.
- Chicken broth: Infuses savory depth and keeps the dish moist.
- Broccoli: Chopped into small pieces for bursts of vibrant green and a fresh, slightly crunchy texture.
- Sharp Cheddar cheese: Freshly shredded for continuous melting magic and that satisfying cheesy topping.
How to Make Easy Chicken Rice Broccoli Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Begin by slicing your chicken breasts in half across the width to create four evenly sized pieces. Giving them a light pounding with the bottom of a pan helps them cook evenly and stay tender. Season generously with salt and pepper to ensure every bite has just the right amount of flavor.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat until shimmering. Lay the chicken pieces down in a single layer and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until they’re fully cooked and beautifully golden. Once done, transfer them to a cutting board, cover with foil, and let them rest for about 10 minutes—this step seals in the juices. Then dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces for mixing later.
Step 3: Build the Flavor Base
In the same pan, reduce heat and add butter, diced onion, and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions turn golden and fragrant—about 5 minutes—which forms the flavorful heart of your casserole. Stir in the uncooked rice and keep stirring for 1 minute to toast it slightly. Then, sprinkle in dried thyme, ground mustard, paprika, and flour, stirring constantly for another minute to blend all the seasoning magic.
Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce
Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth, ensuring no lumps form. Keep whisking until your sauce is creamy and smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, watching for foaming in the center and boiling at the edges. Cover and lower the heat to just above the lowest setting, letting the rice cook in this rich sauce for 10 to 12 minutes.
Step 5: Steam the Broccoli
After removing the lid, don’t be alarmed if the casserole looks a little saucy. Spread the fresh broccoli evenly on top in a single layer, cover again, and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes until the broccoli becomes tender and the rice is perfectly cooked. This step locks in the broccoli’s bright color and crisp-tender bite.
Step 6: Add Cheese and Chicken
Take the pan off the heat and gently stir in the diced chicken along with half a cup of shredded cheese, letting it melt into the creamy mixture. Fold in another half cup of cheese for that rich depth, then spread everything out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining one cup of cheese over the top, and cover the pan once more, allowing the residual heat to melt the cheese into a bubbly, golden topping—about five minutes.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Remove the lid, give everything a gentle stir or serve as is, and dig into this warm, cheesy goodness. A sprinkle of extra salt and pepper to taste can make this dish even more delicious. This is truly the moment to savor all that creamy comfort.
How to Serve Easy Chicken Rice Broccoli Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
Add a fresh touch by garnishing with chopped fresh parsley or finely sliced green onions. These simple extras bring a pop of color and a burst of brightness that balance the creamy richness beautifully.
Side Dishes
This casserole is quite hearty on its own, but pairing it with a crisp green salad or some roasted vegetables can provide a nice contrast in textures and flavors. A chilled cucumber salad or fresh tomato slices also complement the warm cheesy layers perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this casserole in individual ramekins to create personal-sized dishes, perfect for dinner parties or meal prep. Alternatively, spoon the casserole onto toasted garlic bread slices for a comforting open-faced sandwich that will wow anyone at the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers should be cooled to room temperature and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay delicious for up to 3 to 4 days, making this dish a great option for easy next-day meals.
Freezing
This casserole freezes well. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and store for up to 2 months. When freezing, consider leaving off the extra cheese topping, adding it fresh after reheating for best texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen. Warm the casserole gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil until heated through, about 20 minutes. You can also microwave individual servings, stirring halfway to ensure even heating. Adding a splash of milk before reheating helps retain the creamy texture.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that saves time without compromising flavor. Just dice it and add at the cheese-melting step.
What type of rice works best in this recipe?
Long-grain white rice is ideal because it stays fluffy and absorbs the creamy sauce well, but you could experiment with jasmine or basmati for a subtle aromatic twist.
Can I substitute the broccoli with other vegetables?
Yes, vegetables like cauliflower, green beans, or even spinach make excellent alternatives or additions, giving you flexibility based on your preferences or pantry.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Definitely! Use dairy-free milk alternatives like almond or oat milk and swap the cheddar cheese for a plant-based cheese to keep things creamy and cheesy without dairy.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños along with the paprika during the seasoning step to give the casserole a pleasant kick of heat.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Chicken Rice Broccoli Casserole Recipe is a shining example of how simple ingredients can come together to become a cozy, satisfying meal loved by everyone at the table. Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting friends, or just craving some comforting homemade goodness, this casserole is sure to impress and bring smiles. Give it a try—you might just find your new weeknight favorite!
Print
Easy Chicken Rice Broccoli Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Chicken Rice Broccoli Casserole is a comforting and hearty one-pan meal featuring tender chicken, fluffy rice, steamed broccoli, and a creamy cheesy sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it combines simple ingredients into a delicious dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 up 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 small breasts, or use rotisserie chicken)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1–1/2 cups finely diced yellow onion (1 large onion)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
- 3 to 4 cups broccoli, cut to small pieces (1 large head)
Rice and Seasonings
- 1–1/4 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
- 3/4 teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Liquids and Dairy
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups milk (whole milk recommended)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (packed to measure)
Instructions
- Prep Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half widthwise to create 4 even pieces. Lightly pound them to an even thickness using the bottom of a frying pan. Season all sides evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large (12-inch) nonstick skillet or pot over high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Transfer chicken to a cutting board, cover with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes. Then dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook Aromatics and Rice: In the same pan, add unsalted butter, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the onion turns golden and fragrant. Stir in uncooked rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to toast the rice slightly. Add dried thyme, ground mustard, paprika, and all-purpose flour, stirring constantly for another minute to combine and cook out the flour taste.
- Make Creamy Base: Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth while stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth. Bring to a simmer (edges boiling and center foamy), then cover with a lid and reduce heat slightly to just above the lowest setting. Cook gently for 10–12 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb most of the liquid.
- Steam Broccoli: Remove the lid and layer the broccoli evenly on top of the rice mixture. Cover again and cook for an additional 3–5 minutes, until the broccoli is tender and the rice is fully cooked. It’s okay if the casserole remains slightly saucy at this point.
- Add Cheese and Chicken: Remove the pan from heat. Stir in the diced chicken and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and combined. Gently fold in another 1/2 cup of cheese. Then spread the mixture evenly in the pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese evenly on top, cover with the lid, and let the cheese melt from residual heat for about 5 minutes.
- Serve: Remove the lid, serve immediately, and enjoy! Add extra salt and pepper to taste if necessary.
Notes
- For a shortcut, substitute rotisserie chicken for the chicken breasts.
- Use whole milk for the creamiest texture; low-fat milk can be substituted but will result in a thinner sauce.
- Ensure broccoli is cut into small, bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
