Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
This chicken broccoli rice casserole is the ultimate comfort food, made with tender chicken, fluffy rice, fresh broccoli, and a creamy, cheesy sauce. Topped with buttery Ritz crackers, this dish is easy to make, meal-prep friendly, and perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
- Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or diced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth for cooking rice
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets or 2 cups thawed frozen broccoli
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- For the Creamy Sauce:
- 1 can 10.5 oz condensed cream of chicken soup (or homemade)
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream or mayo
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- For the Topping:
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, cook long-grain rice in chicken broth according to package instructions. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: If using fresh chicken, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then cook in a skillet with olive oil until golden. Alternatively, use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut.
- Blanch the Broccoli: If using fresh broccoli, steam it lightly for 2–3 minutes to maintain texture. If using frozen broccoli, thaw and pat dry before adding.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth.
- Assemble the Casserole: In a 9x13” baking dish, layer cooked rice, shredded chicken, and broccoli. Pour the creamy sauce over the top and stir everything together.
- Add the Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole for a crunchy finish.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the topping is golden brown.
- Serve: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make-Ahead: Assemble the casserole and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking.
- Freezing Instructions: Freeze unbaked for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
- Variations: Swap chicken for ham, ground beef, or turkey. Use Pepper Jack cheese for extra spice.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free cream soup and swap Ritz crackers for gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free cheese, coconut milk, and a vegan cream soup alternative.