Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole – This easy-peasy chicken broccoli rice casserole may just become your new favorite one-pan meal. Quick, healthy, and ridiculously delicious, it’s perfect for those crazy busy weeknights.
Perfectly seasoned chicken comes together with tender broccoli and rice enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce. Both kids and adults love this recipe and are quick to devour it.
Aside from having all the food groups in one skillet (a huge win), it’s also filling and a money-saver. And did I mention it’s freezer-friendly? We have so much to love about throwing this super easy chicken broccoli rice casserole in the oven. 💞
Content…Weeknight Winner |
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
- Chicken – It only takes 1-2 large chicken breasts cut up into bite-sized pieces to make this filling casserole.
- 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.
- Aromatics – Garlic and onion add flavor and an enticing smell to this dish.
- 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.
- 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. 🧀
- 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
- Use other vegetables. Feel free to add carrots, peas, corn, or any other veggies you like.
- Try another meat. You could use ground chicken, ground turkey, cut-up pork chops, or even shrimp.
- Experiment with carbs. Instead of rice, try egg noodles or your favorite pasta. Even quinoa, brown rice, or another grain would taste wonderful!
- 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
- Add milk and chicken broth slowly while stirring constantly. That will keep the sauce from forming lumps.
- When you stir the flour into the melted butter, give it a couple of minutes to absorb. That also helps prevent a lumpy sauce.
- 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
- Stir Fry Chicken
- Shrimp Mac and Cheese
- Ground Beef and Cabbage
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew
- 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
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 large or 2 small chicken breast, cut into chunks (about 2 cups)
- ¾ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 -2 teaspoons (3-6g) salt-free Cajun Creole seasoning (see notes)
- 1-2 tablespoons (15-30ml) oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 teaspoons (10g) minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons (42g) butter
- 3 tablespoons (20-25g) flour
- 2 cups (470ml) chicken broth
- ½ cup (120ml) milk
- 1½ cups (180g) cooked rice
- 2-3 cups (170-250g) broccoli florets
- 1 cup (110g) cheddar cheese
- parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃).
- Season chopped chicken with salt and salt-free Cajun Creole seasoning (or use the spice mix with salt and omit the salt). Stir until the chicken is completely covered.
- Heat oil in a skillet, add the chicken, and cook for 3-5 minutes.
- Add the onion and stir for about a minute. Then add the minced garlic and cook until the onions wilt (about 4 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- Add the butter to a 10-inch oven-safe skillet. As soon as butter melts, whisk in the flour. Continue whisking until flour is thoroughly mixed with butter, and cook for about a minute.
- Slowly add chicken broth, followed by the milk, stirring continually so no lumps form. Bring to barely a boil, then turn the heat down to medium and simmer gently until it thickens into a cream sauce (6-8 minutes).
- An easy way to gauge this is when the sauce coats the back of a wooden spoon, and your finger creates a path when swiping it.
- Turn off the heat and stir in the rice, broccoli, ½ cup cheese, and the chicken. Adjust the Creole seasoning and salt to taste. Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, at 350℉ (175℃) for 15-30 minutes or until heated through and the cheese melts.
- Serve hot.
Tips & Notes:
- Omit the salt if using a spice mix that has salt in it already.
- Add milk and chicken broth slowly while stirring constantly. That will keep the sauce from forming lumps.
- When you stir the flour into the melted butter, give it a couple of minutes to absorb. That also helps prevent a lumpy sauce.
- 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.
- Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
Robin says
Just made this and it is so good! Thank you for another great recipe. Have a blessed weekend.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Robin. I am so thrilled you loved this recipe! Thank you for the feedback! Have a blessed weekend too :)!
Krista says
This recipe is so flavourful and tasty! Even my super picky boyfriend loves it. Thanks!
imma africanbites says
Thank you, Krista. So glad you two love this. Happy weekend!
Leslie says
Looking for something simple to throw together and I am interested in trying this
2 questions ..
Can I do frozen broccoli?
What kind of cheese can I use ? Those process bag kind or a block of cheese ..
imma africanbites says
Hi, Leslie. Yes, you can use frozen broccoli florets. As for the cheese, any cheese that is a semi hard or hard, creamy texture would likely do just fine (Jack, colby, and swiss cheeses). Hope this helps.
Stacy says
This was DELICIOUS and devoured by my family, including two teenagers who don’t usually love casseroles. I had rotisserie chicken on hand so just switched the order of things a bit, adding in the seasoning with the butter, onions, and garlic. I also doubled the recipe and we are all looking forward to leftovers tomorrow night. Thank you! I’m adding this to our regular rotation.
imma africanbites says
Yaaay! This makes a comforting meal for this season. 🙂
Fika Mancera says
I have made so many of your recipes and I forget to stop back to let you know. I actually made this today and I must say it was fabulously delicious. My youngest daughter does hates broccoli, but she ate this. The seasoning was so good, that we did not need anything once the meal was finally done. Bravo for another great and simple recipe.
imma africanbites says
Thank you for letting me know, Fika! It really means a lot to me especially when kids dig in my recipes. 🙂 Have a lovely Sunday!
Kari’s Kitchen says
What made you give it 4 stars over 5?
Linda says
Absolutely delicious!!! I can’t stop eating!!!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback!
Cait says
This was soooo good! I love the simplicity but perfect blend of flavours. A lot of casserole recipes get so complicated which to me goes against the point of a casserole. The cajun spice is like a secret ingredient though. It totally made it extra delicious.
imma africanbites says
The cajun seasoning truly works like magic. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment for this post, Cait! Enjoy your day!
Gracia says
Please what can I use as a substitute for cheddar cheese
ImmaculateBites says
Any cheese that is a semi hard or hard, creamy texture would likely do just fine (Jack, colby, and swiss cheeses) all work.
Crystal says
Is the broccoli added raw? Making it tonight
ImmaculateBites says
Yes it is. Happy Cooking!!!
Frank says
Made this 3 times and so delish each time
Thanks
Frank
ImmaculateBites says
3 Times? WOO HOO! Glad to hear it’s on the menu. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know!!
SquirrellyTots says
I made this recipe and it was an absolute hit. I left out the Cajun spice in honor of my youngest who has no stomach for “strong” spices. I also added chopped bacon pieces which I already had on hand and needed a purpose. I was commanded to add this to the meal rotation with hearty assent from the whole table. A real compliment. Thank you for such a wonderful recipe. This working mom relishes new, family friendly meal ideas.
ImmaculateBites says
YES! Am so glad to hear it was a hit with the whole family! Many thanks to your household. So happy you would take time out to share your thoughts with us.
Deitra Nemore says
First time making and tasting a casserole, and I am so excited to say that it is AMAZING! Definitely flavorful and convenient to make. Cannot wait to explore the other recipes provided!
Sharon Clark says
An excellent recipe. Everyone commented how good it was. I’m looking forward to the Blackened Salmon and Sautéed Vegetables. That looks delicious too!
ImmaculateBites says
YESS!! You are going to love that one too! I make it alllll the time . Thanks for taking the time to share this with me Sharon!
Francene Greene says
This recipe looks simple AND amazing! I will be delivering one casserole to my neighbor this weekend—and one to my freezer!
Many thanks,
Francene
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Francene! Your neighbor would love it! ! Thanks for stopping by
James | Thyme to Mango says
Easy, healthy, creamy comfort food, I love it! Always looking out for those chaotic weekday recipes for when my cooking enthusiasm is at an all time low! Adding this one to that list!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! It’s perfect for those chaotic days!