Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Content… Weeknight Winner Ingredient List How to Make It Recipe Variations Notes and Tips Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions What to Serve More Weeknight Winners to Try

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole for a Weeknight Win!

When I say this comes together quickly, I mean it! Especially if you have some leftover rice to use. It only takes about 20 minutes to prepare and assemble the ingredients, and then you just pop it in the oven for 15-30 minutes. Casseroles are perfect for those days when you don’t have the energy to cook something elaborate but still want a home-cooked meal. 

Ingredient List

1. Chicken – It only takes 1-2 large chicken breasts cut up into bite-sized pieces to make this filling casserole. 
2. Broccoli – Broccoli florets add color, flavor, and texture to this dish. Smothering it in a glorious cheesy sauce is perfect for getting the kids to enjoy eating their veggies.
3. Aromatics – Garlic and onion add flavor and an enticing smell to this dish.
4. Rice – You only need about a cup and a half of cooked rice for this, so it’s a fantastic way to use up leftovers when you have them.
5. Cheese – Cheddar is my choice for this meal, but you can use any melty cheese you like. Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, you name it. 🧀
6. Sauce Ingredients – For the creamy sauce that binds everything together, you’ll need butter, flour, chicken broth, milk, and salt. Simple yet delicious!

How to Make Chicken, Rice, and Broccoli Casserole

Prep the Ingredients

• Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃).
• Season the chicken cubes with salt, followed by salt-free Cajun Creole seasoning. Stir until thoroughly seasoned.
• Heat oil in a skillet. Then, add the chicken, cooking for 3-5 minutes. (Photo 1)
• Saute Aromatics – Next, add the minced garlic and stir for about a minute, followed by the chopped onion. Cook until onions wilt, for about 4 more minutes. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
• Roux – In a 10-inch oven-safe skillet, add the butter. Whisk in the flour as soon as the butter melts. Continue whisking until the butter fully absorbs the flour, then cook for about a minute. (Photo 2)
• Sauce – Slowly add the chicken broth while whisking, and follow with the milk. Bring it to a boil, then turn the heat down to medium-low so it simmers gently and thickens into a cream sauce. It takes 6-8 minutes. (Photo 3)

Bake

• Assemble – Turn off the heat and stir in the chicken, rice, broccoli, and ½ cup cheese. Stir well, then add Creole seasoning and salt. Adjust seasonings to your liking, then top with the remaining cheese. (Photos 4-5)
• Bake, uncovered, at 350℉ (175℃) for 15-30 minutes or until heated through. (Photo 6)
• Serve – Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes so no one burns their mouth on the cheese, and then serve hot.

Recipe Variations

1. Use other vegetables. Feel free to add carrots, peas, corn, or any other veggies you like. 
2. Try another meat. You could use ground chicken, ground turkey, cut-up pork chops, or even shrimp.
3. Experiment with carbs. Instead of rice, try egg noodles or your favorite pasta. Even quinoa, brown rice, or another grain would taste wonderful!
4. Chicken broccoli rice casserole crockpot version. Set it and forget it in your slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours or 2-3 hours on high.

Notes & Tips

1. Add milk and chicken broth slowly while stirring constantly. That will keep the sauce from forming lumps.
2. When you stir the flour into the melted butter, give it a couple of minutes to absorb. That also helps prevent a lumpy sauce.
3. Is your sauce thick enough? An easy way to gauge this is if the sauce coats the back of a wooden spoon enough to create a path through it with your finger.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Cook this in a big batch in advance, let it cool, and then transfer it to a freezer-safe dish. Cover it tightly and freeze. Thaw it overnight in the fridge so you can reheat it for lunches and dinners throughout the week.

You can also assemble this dish, but hold off baking it until the next day. Then pop it in the oven for about 30 minutes when you’re ready to serve it. 😅

Serving and Storage Instructions 

Serve chicken broccoli rice casserole hot, fresh out of the oven. Refrigerate leftover casserole for 3-5 days in an airtight container. Reheat them in the oven set to 350℉ (175℃) until warmed through or in the microwave. 

What Goes With Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

I like to serve this casserole with pull-apart garlic bread rolls and a quick wedge salad. Complete your meal with some sweet tea to drink and sweet potato pie for dessert. 😋

More Weeknight Winners to Try

1. Stir Fry Chicken
2. Shrimp Mac and Cheese
3. Ground Beef and Cabbage
4. Slow Cooker Beef Stew
5. 4-Ingredient Oven Baked Pork Chops

This post was originally published in September 2017 and has been updated with additional tips and beautifully tempting photos