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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a delicious make ahead meal that your family will love.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 511 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • casserole dish
  • Knife
  • cutting board

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2.5 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1.25 cups white long grain rice uncooked
  • 2-3 cups fresh broccoli florets uncooked
  • 10.5 oz Cream of Chicken Soup condensed
  • 0.5 cup milk
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese separated

Optional Seasonings

  • 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder

Casserole Topping

  • 1 cup Ritz crackers crushed
  • 2 tablespoons butter melted

Instructions
 

Preparation Steps

  • Preheat the oven to 350° F. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt/pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  • Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat until melted. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  • Add the chicken broth, olive oil, and rice to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover tightly and cook for 6 minutes.
  • Add the broccoli and replace the cover. Cook for 9 more minutes, or until no liquid remains in the pot and the rice is cooked through. Keep it covered and remove from heat. Let the rice stand for 10 minutes, do not stir.
  • Add the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, optional seasonings, and half of the cheddar cheese. Stir to combine.
  • Transfer to a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish and top with remaining cheese. Cover and bake for 15 minutes.
  • Combine the melted butter and crushed crackers. Sprinkle over the casserole and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes. Serve!

Notes

Using Frozen Broccoli: 2 cups of frozen broccoli (and/or cauliflower) is a perfect alternative to fresh broccoli. Frozen broccoli is already blanched, but you may want to consider steaming it for a softer texture in the casserole. Shred your own cheddar cheese from a block for best results. This recipe can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 2 days prior to baking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 511kcal
Keyword cheesy casserole, Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, Comfort Food, Easy Recipes, family dinner, make-ahead meal
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