Description
This Chicken Rice Broccoli Casserole is the perfect cozy dinner, creamy, cheesy, and topped with a golden, buttery Ritz cracker crust that your family will ask for again and again. The best part? It’s a one-pot, make-ahead meal that’s freezer-friendly and easy to bake when you need it most.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced (or 2 cups rotisserie chicken)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2½ cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1¼ cups uncooked white long grain rice
- 2–3 cups fresh broccoli florets, uncooked
- 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Optional Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Topping:
- 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Season diced chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sauté 5 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside. (Skip if using rotisserie.)
- Cook Rice & Broccoli: In the same pot, add chicken broth, olive oil, and rice. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer. Cover and cook for 6 minutes, then add broccoli. Cook covered 9 more minutes. Let stand 10 minutes, covered, off heat. Do not stir.
- Mix the Base: Stir in cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, half the cheddar cheese, and any optional seasonings.
- Assemble: Transfer to prepared dish. Top with remaining cheese. Cover with foil and bake 15 minutes.
- Add the Topping: In a bowl, mix crushed Ritz with melted butter. Uncover casserole, sprinkle topping, and bake uncovered for 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Let casserole rest 5 minutes before serving to set the layers.
Notes
- Make Ahead: Assemble up to baking, cover and refrigerate for 2 days or freeze for 2 months.
- No Fresh Broccoli? Frozen broccoli works great, no need to thaw.
- Low-Carb Option: Use cooked riced cauliflower instead of rice.
- Cheese Swap: Try Monterey Jack, Colby, or Gruyère for a new twist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Meat Casseroles
- Method: Oven, One-Pot
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chicken rice broccoli casserole, creamy chicken casserole, cheesy chicken rice bake, easy dinner recipes