Dinner couldn’t get any easier with this cheesy broccoli chicken and rice casserole! You love this tender chicken and broccoli combined with creamy, cheesy rice–ready in 30 minutes!
Hey fam! Today, I am back with the easiest busy weeknight dinner recipe you can imagine—a cheesy broccoli chicken and rice casserole! I love this recipe because it’s quick comfort food at its finest. This rice casserole recipe is hearty and filling, includes cheese, a creamy sauce, chicken, and vegetables–what more could you want?! You’ll want to make this cheesy chicken and rice casserole over and over again, so it’s a good thing that it’s freezer-friendly!
My recipe for cheesy broccoli chicken and rice is pretty straightforward. It’s not quite a dump-and-go recipe, but it’s close enough! I’ll show you how I make this easy recipe, and then I’ll share a few ways you can jazz it up to your liking. Let’s jump right on into the ingredients you need.
Ingredients for Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole
The great thing about this recipe is that it calls for just a few simple ingredients, and you’ll likely have all of them on hand already!
- Chicken: For my recipe, I use chicken thighs. They’re tender and juicy and easy to cut up into bite-sized pieces. Of course, you can also use chicken breast if you prefer. You could even use rotisserie chicken to cut down on cooking time.
- Broccoli: You can use fresh broccoli florets or frozen broccoli, whatever is easiest for you. You want the broccoli florets to be broken apart into smaller pieces. You don’t want giant pieces of broccoli in this casserole.
- Creamy soup: Here is where your recipe can get creative. There are many ways to make a creamy sauce for a chicken and rice casserole (I will get into that a little later). I use cream of mushroom soup. Cream of celery or cream of chicken soup would also work just as well.
- Rice: I use regular white rice made in my rice cooker—that’s my recommendation for this recipe. However, instant rice (or Minute Rice) should also work fine! (More on the best types of rice for rice casseroles later!)
- Cheese: I use shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Mild cheddar would be fine too, but stick to cheddar—it definitely works best in this recipe! I recommend buying a block of sharp cheddar cheese and shredding it yourself; you can’t beat freshly shredded cheese!
- Seasonings: For my cheesy broccoli chicken and rice, I keep it simple. Seasoning salt and pepper are all you need, but feel free to spice it up to your liking—garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasoning, or red pepper flakes are all great additions! (Pro-tip: check out all the delicious seasoning options at Rosamae Seasonings!)
How to Make Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
As far as equipment, all you need for this cheesy rice casserole recipe is a skillet and a baking dish. That’s it! Now, let’s get into how to make this cheesy chicken broccoli and rice casserole.
First, prepare your chicken. Cut the chicken thighs or chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and season them with the seasonings of your choice (I simply use seasoning salt and black pepper).
Next, in a skillet over medium-high heat, add some vegetable oil (olive oil works fine) and the chicken. I also add half a diced white or yellow onion at this point, but this is optional! I love the added flavor of the cooked onion throughout the rice casserole. Feel free to leave it out if you’re not a huge fan of onions. After the chicken is cooked and the onions have softened, it’s time to add your fresh or frozen broccoli. Fresh broccoli will cook in less time than frozen, so keep that in mind and adjust your skillet cooking times accordingly!
Next, add the white rice. I don’t recommend using uncooked rice in this recipe. While this rice casserole recipe is nice and creamy, it does not have enough liquid to fully cook the rice. So I recommend using pre-cooked rice; that way, the rice won’t be undercooked from too little liquid, but it also won’t be overcooked and mushy.
After adding the rice, you will add the cream of mushroom soup (feel free to use cream of chicken or celery if that suits your tastes better) and the shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Mix all these ingredients until they’re well combined. Finally, transfer everything into a greased baking dish, top with more shredded cheese, and bake! I also added some paprika for color, but that’s up to you.
What’s the Best Rice for a Rice Casserole?
What rice should you use for this cheesy broccoli chicken and rice casserole? I think that plain, medium-grain white rice is the winner, but there are many other rice options you could use.
- Instant rice or Minute Rice: Instant rice is a quick-and-easy option, and there are many instant rice brands. Instant rice is just regular rice that’s been cooked and dehydrated. You’re simply rehydrating it in the cooking process, so it cooks much quicker. However, keep in mind that instant rice can easily overcook, so you may need to adjust cooking times if you use instant rice for this recipe.
- Brown rice: Brown rice is a little bit healthier, but it does take longer and requires more liquid to cook. You can easily substitute brown rice for white rice in this cheesy rice casserole recipe—just account for the change when you cook the rice before adding it into the casserole.
- Wild rice: Wild rice is a bit fancier of an option. Wild rice isn’t actually even rice at all, but a seed! It’s gluten-free, high in protein, and has a nuttier, earthy flavor. However, it’s definitely not your everyday rice, so keep that in mind before substituting it for white rice in this recipe. Also, wild rice takes quite a bit longer to cook than ordinary rice, so if you’re time-crunched on a busy weeknight, this isn’t the best rice substitute for this recipe.
While these three rice options are some of the most popular white rice substitutes, there are a lot of other kinds of rice you can use. Y’all know I like to keep it simple, so it’s white rice for me! I have a rice cooker, which makes the perfect batch of rice every time. (I have many rice recipes, so my rice cooker gets plenty of use.) If you don’t have a rice cooker, making the perfect rice batch is an art form. Don’t stress—use what works best for you, and I’m sure your cheesy chicken and broccoli rice casserole will turn out bomb.com anyway!
How to Jazz Up Chicken and Rice Casserole
Don’t get me wrong, Cousins—I love this cheesy broccoli chicken and rice casserole. It’s easy, has simple ingredients, and is perfect for busy weeknights. It will be a favorite meal in your weekly rotation as is. But there are many ways to jazz it up with even more flavor with different ingredients.
- Add a topping layer before baking: In my recipe, I add a layer of shredded cheese before baking. However, you could also top your chicken and rice casserole with a crispy topping to add some texture and crunch! Crushed-up butter crackers (like Ritz crackers), cornflakes, or even seasoned breadcrumbs would add some crunch and flavor, crisping up nicely in the oven when baking.
- Make a homemade cream sauce: I love the ease of dumping a can of cream of mushroom soup and calling it a sauce—you can’t beat that! However, you could make a delicious homemade cream sauce if you have the time. Use cream cheese, sour cream, or milk as the base. An easy bechamel sauce only calls for a handful of ingredients and is perfect for a cheesy chicken and rice casserole.
- Add extra veggies: While you can’t go wrong with cheesy broccoli, adding extra veggies to this cheesy chicken casserole recipe could add some fun flavors and color. Try diced bell peppers, carrots, or peas for a chicken pot pie-type rice casserole. Onions and garlic are delicious aromatics that always taste great in a casserole. You could even add green beans if you like!
Quick and Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe Card + Video
Alrighty y’all, it’s time to get cookin’! This chicken casserole is a great meal for busy nights. Tender chicken, cheesy goodness, simple ingredients… you can’t go wrong with this pure comfort food! Try this cheesy chicken broccoli and rice recipe for dinner tonight and tell me what you think! Don’t forget to subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube to see all of my recipe videos, cooking tips, and more! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to keep up with all things Rosie and I Heart Recipes!
If you want more easy casserole recipes, check out these recipes next:
- Creamy Corned Beef Casserole
- Easy Tuna Casserole
- Tex Mex Corn Casserole
- Pork Chop Rice and Broccoli Skillet
Cheesy Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thigh cut into bite sizes
- 1/2 white onion diced
- 2 cups frozen of fresh broccoli chopped
- 14 oz can of cream of mushroom
- 1 1/2 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp seasoning salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika optional, for garnish
- 1 tsp parsley flakes optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Prep your chicken. Cut up the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, pour in vegetable oil, chicken, and onion. Sprinkle in seasoning salt and black pepper.
- Cook the chicken until it is done, then add in the broccoli. Give everything a nice stir, then add in the cream of mushroom soup and rice.
- Stir until chicken, broccoli, rice, and soup is well incorporated. Then sprinkle in 1/2 cup cheese. Stir, then place the ingredients into a greased baking dish.
- Top off the casserole with the remaining cheese (and paprika and parsley flakes if you choose).
- Bake at 375 F, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes. Once done, let it set for about 5 minutes.
- SERVE & ENJOY!
Rosie I love your recipes, you cook almost as well as I do lol.
LOL! Thank you!
Hey Rosie! I just stumbled across this site a little over two weeks ago and I’ve made three of your recipes already. They were all sooooo good! Yesterday was my birthday and the hubby made the cheesy broccoli. YUMMM!
This looks yummy. Could I sprinkle on dried parsley flakes? Love your you tube videos and live your name! My cat’s name is Rosie too!
You can definitely add parsley flakes.. Your pet cat is probably amazing 😛
I love your recipes! One problem, I don’t see a print tab. Am I missing something? I end up writing them down on paper. Keep them coming, I love them!
You can still print it out. It shouldn’t be an issue 🙂
i would like to share another way to print out a recipe if you don`t see a print tab, I simply press command and the letter p, on my key board and its done, you do have a printer I presume. Sure you do. Good luck!!
Hey Rosie! When you say 1 1/2 cups cooked rice, how much would that be uncooked? Just so I know how much to make. This looks delicious, can’t wait to try it! 🙂
It’s about 3/4 cup when uncooked 🙂
Perfect, thank you!! 🙂
Is it necessary to add water to cream mushroom or chicken?
That’s how I prepared it. If you want to leave it out you can 🙂
Could I add spinach instead of broccoli?
You can add whatever you’d like hunny. It’s your dish, so fix it up to your likings 🙂
Hi Rosie can I use chicken breast instead
I just made this tonight from a leftover chicken I had. It was awesome! Thanks Rosie 🙂
Thanks for trying it out!!
Rosie! I made this tonight! It was absolute LOVE!!! Super easy and relish! Thank you!!
I meant DELISH!! Lol
I was wondering about the relish. LOL XOXO
Rosie!! I just love your site. My daughter loves this casserole. This is in our dinner rotation… I’m actually making this tonight by request..LOL Thanks for all you do and keep the recipes coming
My family loves this recipe too!! It’s so easy to make, and delicious!!! I’m glad that you all liked it as well!
My teenager really dislikes broccoli….to the point she will make a sandwich rather than eat anything with broccoli in it. She ate 2 large servings of this and actually complimented me on the dinner. A keeper!!
I’m glad that she likes it! 😉
Hi Rosie, I just made your cheesy, chicken, broccoli and it was magnificent! My family loved it…..I love using the boneless skinless thighs, they give the recipe a really good flavor vs using chicken breast. You rock Rosie!
Glad that you liked it!
what if you don’t have any cream of mushrooms, or anything like that, what can I use?
Buy some cream of mushroom, or cream of chicken. Anything else would be me giving a different recipe.
Love the recipe. Really easy. Me and the kiddos will be adding to our list of regulars
Glad to hear that! Enjoy! XOXO
Can you please tell me how many this serves? I’ve noticed that some of the recipes don’t have that and it would be very helpful to know if I need to double or triple the recipe. Thanks a bunch!!! Can’t wait to try this.
It should serve at least 6 people.
Oldie but goodie. I am making this today for my family. Rosie you ROCK!!!
I made this and it was really good. I will make again. Your YouTube video said to add in diced onions but the recipe on the blog did not mention onions. I just used about 1/4 cup. I wasn’t sure but it was still good. Thanks!
I need to redo the video ASAP. LOL. I’m glad that you were able to improvise! XOXO
My boyfriend loved this recipe and your sweet potatoe pie recipe was delish also i love yoyr recipes
I made this tonight for dinner, but i used cauliflower rice and it was so good. My 4 year old asked for seconds.
Rosie,
I prepared two of your recipes. Thank you so much! From our happy bellies to yours. I appreciate your recipe and so does my family. I Pray God continues to Bless your hands.
Thanks for trying my recipes Maria!
This is the second time my mother made this for our family. Yesterday she made this and left some for me. It is soooo delicious! Once I finish this, I want to make this recipe as delicious as my mother did. The thighs make this dish very tasty!
Just made the Cheesy Broccoli and Chicken casserole and it turned out wonderfully. Actually my 15 year old son made it and he was quite pleased with himself since it tasted so good and was so easy and quick to make. This will be a regular from now on.
I didn’t have cream of mushroom, so I sauteed some fresh ones with alittle white white wine and heavy cream and added cream of chicken soup(no water). Topped with cheddar jack. It was phenomenal!!
This is so good! I can’t stop eating it. I just love, love, love it. One thing I like is buying the combined Cream of Chicken and Mushroom soup together. It tastes so good using both.
Thanks for this excellent recipe Rosie!
Thank you Lisa! XOXO
This looks amazing, my only change will be to bake my boneless chicken first, then proceed with the rest of the recipe.
I just came across this recipe and plan on making it Sunday for our church pot luck. It didn’t say if you add water to the mushroom soup can to mix in or just use the soup.
Hello, I did not add water to this recipe.
Hello can I use cream of cheddar for this recipe?
Yes, you can.
I have cooked this twice. I love it. Best one yet
Awesome
Awesome Delicious easy to make
Rosie this looks delicious as do all your recipes. I will be making this real soon. Thank you!
Would yellow ricee be okay? My daughter loves yellow rice. She won’t eat white rice even if it had gravy on it lol.
Hi Latrice! You can certainly give it a try. However, I don’t use it for this recipe.
Thank You Rosie! You are my favorite cook!! Be blessed honey baby girl!
Thank you my love!
love it!!
I made this tonight and it was so good. I wish I could post a pic so you could see how good it also looked!
It was simple to make! I made a few tweaks to my liking but the base recipe is a hit, too!
Yaw please try it. You won’t regret it.
I love your recipes
Oh, you’re flatter me! Thank you honey!
Delish! Since I am terrible at cooking, it would have been helpful to over-emphasize that the rice should be cooked first! haha – my was rather crunchy after 30 minutes in the oven.
Awesome recipe and so easy! Although I prefer creme of mushrooms soup I had to substitute with creme of chicken soup. That’s what I had on hand. Casserole came out just as good! My husband loved it! Thank you! DEB
Can I use knorrs chicken flavored rice?
For best results, use the listed ingredients.
HiHi Rosie! I used to make this ages ago. I needed a refresher this morning, as I am making this today for an elderly neighbor who is coming home fom rehab. I remembered that I DID use cream cheese, and I made my own sauce. I also added curry, but will not do that for this batch.
Thanks for the helpful reipe and your notes!!!
HI! Can you use cream of chicken instead of cream of mushroom?
You sure can, 🙂
Fabulous fricassee!!
I’m assuming this is for an 11×7″ casserole pan. I’m going to try freezing it before baking. I’m also going to add some celery with the onion. Thank you for your recipe.
A 9×13 bake dish . XOXO
Nice job thanks for sharing!
Thank you!