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Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole

With one hour and a handful of pantry items, you can make this simple cheesy chicken and rice casserole loaded with broccoli with a crunchy golden-brown top!

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Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole in a casserole dish topped with toasted panko breadcrumbs
Photography by Gayle McLeod

Simple and Comforting Chicken, Broccoli And Rice Casserole

The best broccoli, chicken and rice casserole is here: it’s cheesy, creamy, and loaded with broccoli! We might even dare to call it one of the ultimate comfort foods! This recipe is a staple in our house because when we’re in a pinch and looking to appease all tastes, we know we can turn to our favorite easy chicken, rice, and broccoli casserole! We also love that it’s the perfect make-ahead or freezer meal, so we can prep one for dinner and another to freeze for when we’re short on time! The chicken is flavorful and golden-brown, the cheesy rice and broccoli remind us of being kids again, and of course, our favorite buttery, crispy panko top.

Cream of chicken soup, milk, Sour cream, chicken Bouillon, spices, rice, broccoli, chicken, cheese & panko in prep bowls

What’s In This Comforting Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole?

This simple, kitchen-staple recipe will have you whipping up dinner in less than one hour. It’s cozy, delicious, and, best of all, it has all the main food groups for a complete, wholesome meal!

The ingredients you’ll need for chicken, broccoli and rice casserole are:

  • Extra-virgin olive oil

  • Cream of chicken soup

  • Whole milk

  • Sour cream

  • Better Than Bouillon, chicken flavor

  • Garlic powder

  • Onion powder

  • Dried oregano

  • Kosher salt

  • Uncooked long grain rice

  • Broccoli florets

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • Freshly cracked black pepper

  • Cheddar cheese

  • Panko breadcrumbs

  • Salted butter

condensed soup, milk, sour cream, bouillon,  garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano in a glass bowl
condensed soup, milk, sour cream, bouillon,  garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano being whisked together in a glass bowl

Tips and Tricks for Easy Chicken, Rice and Broccoli Casserole

We get a handful of questions and because chicken casserole with rice and broccoli is so versatile, we’re happy to help! Check them out below:

  • Can I use rotisserie chicken? Absolutely! If you’re short on time, crack open the rotisserie chicken and shred it into 1-inch pieces. Skip step 4 and go right into transferring everything into the casserole dish.

  • What If I don’t have cream of chicken soup? If you don’t have cream of chicken soup for your chicken and broccoli casserole with rice, don’t fret! You can use cream of mushroom, cream of broccoli, or broccoli cheddar, or find a homemade version!

  • Can I use frozen broccoli? For sure! Just note that frozen broccoli may release excess water so consider thawing it and patting it dry.

  • What type of rice should I use? While we love traditional white rice, you can use brown rice or wild rice but keep in mind that different types of rice have different cooking times and water amounts, so you’ll have to adjust the recipe accordingly! We would recommend against using quick-cooking rice, such as minute-rice as it will affect the texture and nutritional value.

  • Make it your own! Keep it vegetarian by removing the chicken and add additional veggies!

cooked rice and broccoli in a pot
raw chicken seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and oregano in a glass bowl
chicken seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and oregano being cooked in a skillet
rice, broccoli, chicken and cheese in a glass bowl

What Goes Best with Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Wondering what to serve with chicken and rice with broccoli casserole? While this dish has a healthy serving of veggies, we sometimes like to pair it with a Simple Green Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette, Butter Lettuce Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette, Roasted Beet Salad with Chèvre Green Goddess Dressing, or an Antipasto Salad! It also pairs perfectly with Roasted Mushrooms and Roasted Asparagus. When we’re feeding a crowd; we can’t miss out on the Herby Rhodes Rolls! And, maybe, our favorite accompaniment yet – three delicious ways to enjoy sweet potatoes, the classic Baked Sweet Potatoes or Roasted Sweet Potatoes and the elevated Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Labneh. Yum!

How Do You Make Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Follow these simple steps for how to make chicken, broccoli and rice casserole:

  1. Make the soup base! Whisk together the soup, milk, sour cream, and seasonings! Pro Tip: this is a great way to involve the kids!

  2. Steam the rice and broccoli! Rinse your rice until the water runs clear, then add it to your seasoned boiling water. Cook for about 10 minutes, then add in the broccoli! Cook for another 10 minutes until the broccoli and rice are tender. Add to the soup base!

  3. Brown the chicken! Season the chicken, then sear over high heat for 5-7 minutes per side, until cooked through and golden brown. Slide into strips, then add to the soup mixture.

  4. Combine and bake! Add the cheddar cheese, then pour the soup mixture with rice, broccoli, and chicken into the casserole dish and spread into an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is bubbly.

  5. Top! Mix together the bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture over the casserole and bake, uncovered at 400, for 10 more minutes until golden brown. Pro Tip: Sub out the panko bread crumbs for buttery crackers like Ritz!

  6. Bon Appetit! Serve family style.

rice, chicken, broccoli and sauce mixed together in a casserole baking dish
rice, chicken, broccoli and sauce mixed together in a casserole baking dish topped with cheese
Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole in a casserole dish topped with toasted panko breadcrumbs
Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole in a casserole dish topped with toasted panko breadcrumbs

How to Store Easy Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole

  • Make-Ahead: this casserole can be made one day ahead of time! Simply assemble and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake! Follow the recipe starting at step 6.

  • Freezing: This is an excellent freezer recipe! Make and assemble the recipe but do not bake! Freeze. When ready to enjoy, thaw for 30 minutes at room temperature, then follow starting at step 6.

Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole in a casserole dish topped with toasted panko breadcrumbs

Tools You’ll Need

More Simple and Comforting Casseroles!

A casserole is just a fancy way to describe a delicious dish made by layering ingredients, such as meat, vegetables, pasta or rice. When we’re feeling something easy, quick, and super versatile, we turn to casseroles. Our favorites are:

  • Zucchini Bake – cheesy, low carb, and packed full of in-season zucchini!

  • Shepherd's Pie – warm and hearty browned beef under pillows of potatoes
  • Bake Tortellini – a cheesy bed of tomato sauce with sausage, kale and of course, tortellini

  • Spinach Mushroom Strata – sauteed mushrooms and fresh thyme make this breakfast dish a must-have for special occasions

Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole topped with toasted panko breadcrumbs on a plate with a fork

Cheesy, Comforting, Casserole!

Did you try this chicken broccoli and rice casserole? Let us know how it turned out. Tag us in your photos on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper Happy eating!

Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole

  • Serves: 6
  • Prep Time:  10 min
  • Cook Time:  45 min
  • Calories: 604

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
  • 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
  • ⅓ cup whole milk
  • ⅓ cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon Better Than Bouillon, chicken flavor
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 cup uncooked long grain rice, rinsed
  • ¾ pound broccoli florets (about 6 cups)
  • 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into ½-inch pieces
  • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F with a rack in the center position. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil.

  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed soup, milk, sour cream, bouillon, 1 teaspoon of the garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of the onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of the oregano until fully combined.

  3. Fill a large pot with 3 cups of water and add 1 teaspoon of the salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add the rice and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook, undisturbed, for 10 minutes. Add the broccoli to the pot without stirring, cover and cook, until rice and broccoli are tender, for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool, covered, for 5 more minutes. Add broccoli and rice to the bowl with the soup mixture.

  4. Meanwhile, season chicken with pepper, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon oregano. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to the bowl with rice and broccoli along with 1 cup cheddar cheese, toss to combine.

  5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread out into an even layer. Sprinkle all over with the remaining cheese.

  6. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted.

  7. Meanwhile in a small bowl, stir together the bread crumbs and melted butter.

  8. Remove the casserole from the oven and increase the heat to 400°F. Sprinkle the casserole with the bread crumbs, then return the baking dish to the oven uncovered and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the bread crumbs are golden.

  9. Serve family style.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories604
  • Protein49 g
  • Carbohydrates41 g
  • Total Fat26 g
  • Dietary Fiber3 g
  • Cholesterol57 mg
  • sodium1518 mg
  • Total Sugars3 g

Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Questions & Reviews

Join the discussion below.

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  • Mary Tremayne

    Can you prepare ahead of time? If so, freeze?

    You can definitely prepare, refrigerate and then bake. We haven't tested freezing it before baking.

  • Brooks Rodrigue


    Do you have to use sour cream is there a substitute? My boyfriend hates sourcream

    We haven't tested it in this recipe but you should be able to sub mayo in place of sour cream. We don't think he would taste the sour cream though. There is only 1/3 cup and there is a lot more seasonings/flavors in the dish. Good luck either way!

  • Lauren McGraw

    This was even better than I expected. Just as comforting as mac and cheese but with more protein/veggies. Perfect for a chilly evening!

    Thanks Lauren, we are so happy you loved it!

  • Jenn

    Perfect weeknight dinner! Easy, creamy, cheesy, delicious. Thanks for the recipe!

    Thanks Jenn, glad you loved it!