Description
This Easy Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a comforting and delicious meal perfect for busy weeknights. Combining tender cooked chicken, fluffy white rice, nutritious steamed broccoli, and a creamy cheese sauce, this casserole is topped with a crunchy buttered breadcrumb layer and baked to golden perfection. It’s an effortless, crowd-pleasing recipe that brings wholesome ingredients together in a cheesy, satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 2 cups broccoli florets, steamed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Topping
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent the casserole from sticking during baking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine shredded cooked chicken, cooked white rice, steamed broccoli florets, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, cream of chicken soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika until well incorporated and creamy.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer this combined mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula for an even bake.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs until the crumbs are evenly coated with butter, adding a delicious crunchy topping.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the buttery cracker or breadcrumb mixture evenly over the casserole. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes to set. Serve warm and enjoy your cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole!
Notes
- You can swap the cooked white rice for brown rice for a healthier alternative, adjusting cooking time accordingly if making rice fresh.
- If you’d like a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken with extra vegetables or plant-based protein and use cream of mushroom soup instead of cream of chicken.
- The topping is optional but adds a wonderful crunchy texture; you can also use panko breadcrumbs as a substitute.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle some extra shredded cheese over the topping before baking.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
