Cheesy Broccoli, Chicken and Rice Casserole
One of the best parts about this recipe is how easy it is to put together. Everything mixes right in the baking dish, and the oven does most of the work. It is the kind of meal that works perfectly for busy weeknights when you want something warm and filling without spending all evening in the kitchen.
The creamy base for this casserole starts with a combination of cream of celery soup and cream of chicken with herbs. Together they create a rich sauce that coats the chicken and rice as it bakes. Chicken stock adds extra flavor and helps the rice cook perfectly in the oven, while milk or heavy cream adds a little extra richness that makes the casserole especially comforting.
Broccoli adds color, texture, and a fresh balance to the creamy ingredients. Precooking the broccoli in the microwave first ensures it stays tender while baking and mixes evenly throughout the dish. Chopping it into smaller pieces also helps it distribute nicely so every bite gets a little bit of everything.There is something timeless about a good chicken and rice casserole. It is warm, hearty, dependable, and the kind of meal that always seems to bring everyone to the table without much convincing. This Cheesy Broccoli, Chicken and Rice Casserole is exactly that kind of dinner. It is creamy, comforting, and filled with simple ingredients that come together to make a satisfying one-pan meal.
This recipe is the kind of cozy casserole that feels like it has been passed down in family kitchens for years. Tender chicken, fluffy rice, and broccoli are baked together in a creamy, flavorful sauce until everything is perfectly cooked and deeply comforting. A layer of melted cheese finishes the dish, bringing everything together into one rich and cozy dinner.
The chicken cooks directly in the casserole as it bakes, which keeps the dish simple and cuts down on extra steps. As the chicken cooks, it releases flavor into the sauce and rice, helping everything taste like it has been slowly simmering together for hours.
The final touch is the melted cheese on top. Sharp cheddar is a classic choice that adds bold, familiar flavor, but smoked gouda is also incredible if you want something a little deeper and richer. You can also use whatever cheese your family loves most. Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even a simple mild cheddar all work beautifully here.
By the time this casserole comes out of the oven, the rice is tender, the chicken is juicy, and the sauce has thickened into a creamy, bubbling layer that pulls everything together.
Ingredients
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of chicken with herbs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 cups chicken stock
½ cup milk or heavy whipping cream
1 onion, diced
1 (12 oz) bag broccoli florets, microwaved according to package directions and chopped smaller
1½ cups uncooked rice
1 to 1½ pounds chicken breast, cubed
1.5 cups Sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, or your family’s favorite cheese
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of celery soup, cream of chicken with herbs, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, chicken stock, milk or heavy cream, and diced onion. Whisk until smooth.
Microwave the broccoli according to the package instructions. Chop the florets into smaller bite-sized pieces, then stir them into the sauce mixture.
In a 9x13 baking dish, add the uncooked rice and the cubed chicken breast.
Pour the broccoli and sauce mixture over the chicken and rice. Stir everything together so the rice and chicken are evenly coated and distributed.
Bake uncovered for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
During the last 15 minutes of baking, sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the casserole.
Return the dish to the oven and continue baking until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving.
This Cheesy Broccoli, Chicken and Rice Casserole is the kind of meal that feels like home. It is simple, filling, and full of those comforting flavors that make everyone happy to gather around the table. Creamy, cheesy, and perfectly cozy, it is the kind of recipe that quickly becomes part of the regular dinner rotation.
