Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe
This Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole. Has quickly become a family favorite. In our household. There's just something about. The combination of tender chicken, and fresh broccoli. And creamy cheese sauce. That feels like a warm hug. On a plate. The kids love how cheesy. And comforting it is. While I appreciate. How easy it is to throw together. On a busy weeknight. The crunchy Ritz cracker topping. Adds a satisfying contrast. To the creamy casserole beneath. Making each bite. Even more enjoyable. Whether we're cozying up. For a quiet dinner at home. Or entertaining guests. This dish never fails to impress. It’s hearty and comforting. And packed with flavor. A true go-to recipe. When I want to serve something special. Without spending hours. In the kitchen.
6 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 1/2 c chicken broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/4 c uncooked white long grain rice
- 2 c fresh broccoli florets uncooked
- 10.5 ounces can of condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 c milk
- 1/2 c sour cream
- 2 c shredded cheddar cheese divided
Optional Seasonings:
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Casserole Topping:
- 1 c Ritz crackers crushed
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Note: This recipe is crafted. To streamline the preparation. By allowing you to cook all the casserole ingredients. In a single pot. Before transferring them. To a baking dish. Before starting. Check your rice package. For the recommended liquid amount. And cooking time. As we’ll be using chicken broth. Instead of water. I’ve found that the cooking time. And the liquid amount listed here. Works perfectly. With white long-grain rice.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Cut the chicken. Into bite-sized pieces. And season them with Italian seasoning. Along with a pinch of salt. And pepper to taste.
- In a large pot. Melt the butter. Over medium heat. Add the chicken. And cook. Until it’s golden brown on all sides. Which should take about 5 minutes. If you’re using rotisserie chicken. You can skip this step.
- Pour in the chicken broth, olive oil, and rice. Bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Cover the pot. And let it cook. For 6 minutes.
- Add the broccoli florets. Replace the cover. And continue cooking for another 9 minutes. Or until the rice is fully cooked. And all the liquid is absorbed. If the rice isn’t tender yet. Simply cover it again. And simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Or until done.
- Turn off the heat. And let the rice sit, covered. For 10 minutes without stirring. This will allow. Any rice stuck to the bottom to release.
- Stir in the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, and optional seasonings. And half of the cheddar cheese.
- Transfer the mixture. To a lightly greased 9x13 casserole dish. And sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Cover with foil. And bake for 15 minutes.
For the Topping:
- Melt the butter. And mix it with the crushed crackers. To create the casserole topping.
- Sprinkle the topping over the casserole. And bake uncovered. For an additional 10 minutes.
- Allow the casserole to rest. For 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
To make this Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole gluten-free. Simply swap out. A few key ingredients. Use a gluten-free cream of chicken soup (or make your own). And opt for gluten-free crackers. For the topping. Make sure your chicken broth. Is also gluten-free. As some brands may contain gluten. With these easy substitutions. You can enjoy. All the deliciousness of this comforting casserole. Without any gluten. It's a perfect option. For those with gluten sensitivities. Or anyone looking to cut gluten. From their diet. Without sacrificing flavor.