Description
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole brings comfort right to your dinner table with its creamy blend of tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and melted cheese. Grab a spoon and dig into this satisfying one-dish meal that comes together faster than you can say “delicious dinner”!
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
Liquid and Sauce:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup whole milk
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Pour 2 cups of water into a medium saucepan, add 1 cup of long-grain rice and a pinch of salt. Cover and simmer for 18 minutes until water completely absorbs.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 diced chicken breasts and cook 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Steam 3 cups of broccoli florets in a microwave-safe container with 2 tablespoons water for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked rice, chicken pieces, steamed broccoli, 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup, 1 cup whole milk, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it in an even layer.
- Sprinkle 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese across the entire surface of the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 32-35 minutes until the cheese melts completely and edges turn bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- Check rice doneness carefully to avoid mushy texture, as perfectly cooked rice makes a huge difference in the casserole’s overall quality.
- Chop chicken and broccoli into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly and distribute nicely throughout the dish.
- For a lighter version, swap cream of chicken soup with Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cheese to cut calories without losing flavor.
- Leftover rotisserie chicken works great as a quick protein substitute if you want to save preparation time.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 389 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg