Creamy Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Name: Delicious Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken; Salt, to taste; Pepper, to taste; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 2 1/2 cups chicken broth; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 1/4 cups white long grain rice, uncooked; 2-3 cups fresh broccoli florets, uncooked; 10.5 oz. Cream of Chicken Soup (condensed); 1/2 cup milk; 1/2 cup sour cream; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed; 2 tablespoons melted butter

This Creamy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe might just become your new weeknight hero—comforting, packed with flavors, and surprisingly straightforward to pull together, even when your schedule’s tight.

A close-up view of a cheesy baked casserole in a dark pan sitting on a white marbled surface. The dish has a bottom layer of cooked rice mixed with small pieces of chicken, followed by bright green broccoli florets scattered evenly throughout. On top, there is a rich layer of melted golden-yellow cheese with slightly browned spots, creating a creamy texture. Fresh chopped green herbs are sprinkled over the cheese layer for color contrast. A silver spoon scoops a serving, showing the layers together with the cheese stretching slightly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can't get enough of this **Creamy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe**. It’s that perfect mix of creamy, cheesy goodness with tender chicken and crisp-tender broccoli. Honestly, it’s become a staple in my kitchen when I want something cozy but fuss-free.

Simple One-Pot Cooking: Most of the magic happens right in the pot, which means fewer dishes and less hassle.
Family-Friendly Flavors: Everyone from kids to adults will enjoy the creamy texture and familiar cheesy taste.
Flexible Ingredients: You can swap out fresh broccoli for frozen, or use leftover chicken, making it super adaptable.
Great Make-Ahead Option: You can prep it in advance and bake when ready, saving you valuable time on busy days.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this casserole plays a key role, balancing creaminess, texture, and flavor. The chicken broth cooks the rice perfectly, the sour cream adds tang and richness, and the cheddar cheese melts into that signature gooey layer that holds it all together.

Flat lay of fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts, small handful of fresh broccoli florets, a bowl of uncooked white long grain rice, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of melted golden butter, a small white bowl of olive oil, a small white bowl of creamy sour cream, a small white bowl of smooth milk, a small white bowl of condensed cream of chicken soup, a simple pile of shredded sharp yellow cheddar cheese, a small white bowl of crushed Ritz crackers, and a few sprigs of dried Italian seasoning and thyme, all arranged symmetrically with perfect proportions on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Needed for sautéing the chicken and adding richness to the dish.
Chicken Breasts or Rotisserie Chicken: Using rotisserie chicken is a time-saver and adds extra flavor.
Italian Seasoning: Gives the chicken that savory, herby kick.
Chicken Broth: The liquid that cooks the rice, infusing it with flavor.
Olive Oil: Helps with rice cooking and balances butter’s richness.
White Long Grain Rice: Absorbs the creamy sauce beautifully without getting mushy.
Broccoli Florets: Fresh or frozen, they add crunch and vibrant color.
Cream of Chicken Soup (Condensed): The base for that comforting creaminess.
Milk: Lightens the soup and smoothes the sauce texture.
Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and depth to the creaminess.
Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar works best for melting and flavor punch.
Ritz Crackers: Crushed for a buttery, crunchy topping that’s the perfect finishing touch.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love swapping in frozen broccoli when I want to make this casserole a little quicker, and sometimes I use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts—it’s a huge time-saver without compromising on flavor.

Variation: Adding a pinch of garlic powder and a sprinkle of thyme gives it a slightly more complex flavor that I really enjoy.
Vegetarian Swap: Try substituting the chicken with chickpeas or cauliflower for a meatless version that still satisfies.
Cheese Options: You can mix in mozzarella or Monterey Jack for a milder, gooier effect.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

A white plate with a textured border holds one serving of a creamy casserole. The dish has several layers including large pieces of light brown chicken, bright green broccoli florets, orange melted cheese, and soft beige rice all mixed together with sauce. Fresh green parsley is sprinkled on top and around the dish. A silver fork rests on the left side of the plate. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sauté the Chicken with Flavor

First, I cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Then, I melt butter in a large pot over medium heat and sauté the chicken until it’s golden and cooked through—about 5 minutes. This step locks in flavor, and the slight browning adds depth to the final dish. Once done, I remove the chicken and set it aside.

Step 2: Cook the Rice in Savory Broth

Next, I add chicken broth, olive oil, and uncooked rice to the pot. Bringing it all to a boil before lowering to a simmer lets the rice soak up all those beautiful flavors. I cover the pot tightly and cook for 6 minutes.

Step 3: Steam Broccoli with Rice

After 6 minutes, I add fresh broccoli florets directly on top of the rice, then cover again and let everything cook together for another 9 minutes. This method steams the broccoli just right—tender but still bright and crisp. If the rice isn’t quite done, I give it a few more minutes covered until fully cooked and no liquid remains.

Step 4: Let It Rest Before Mixing

Once the rice and broccoli are ready, I remove the pot from heat but keep it covered for 10 minutes without stirring. This rest allows the rice to finish steaming evenly and prevents it from becoming mushy. It’s a step I almost skip but learned it really makes a difference!

Step 5: Stir in the Creamy Goodness

Now for the fun part! I mix in the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, any optional seasonings like garlic powder or thyme, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. The mixture looks rich and inviting here.

Step 6: Bake and Top with Crunch

I transfer everything into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. While it’s baking, I melt butter and crush Ritz crackers to create that irresistibly buttery topping. After the initial bake, I sprinkle the cracker topping evenly and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes until golden and crisp.

Top Tip

From my experience making this casserole multiple times, a few little tricks really help you get it just right every time.

Don’t Skip the Rest Time: Letting the rice stand covered off heat for 10 minutes makes the texture spot-on and avoids mushiness.
Choose Sharp Cheddar: For that classic full flavor melt, I swear by sharp (not aged) cheddar shredded fresh from a block. It melts smoother than pre-shredded.
Watch Your Broccoli: If using frozen broccoli, thaw and pat dry thoroughly; otherwise, it can make your casserole watery.
Crunchy Topping Secrets: Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter right before baking so they toast perfectly and don’t get soggy.

How to Serve Creamy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

A white pan filled with two layers: the bottom layer is bright green broccoli florets with a fresh texture, evenly spread across the pan. On top of the broccoli, there is a layer of small, cooked, light beige chicken pieces that look soft and slightly seasoned with black pepper. The broccoli and chicken pieces are mixed but mostly the chicken sits on top, showing a clear contrast between the green and beige colors on a white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to toss a little fresh chopped parsley or chives on top right before serving. The green adds a fresh pop of color and a hint of brightness that beautifully balances the creamy richness.

Side Dishes

Since this casserole is a meal in itself, I usually keep sides simple—maybe a crisp garden salad or some roasted carrots to add some extra veggies and crunch without competing.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve scooped the casserole into individual ramekins and topped each with the buttery cracker crunch —everyone loved the personalized touch and it makes for a fun, cozy presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers store beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend reheating portions gently in the microwave with a damp paper towel cover to keep moisture in.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this casserole twice successfully by assembling it but skipping the initial bake. Frozen and wrapped tightly, it thawed overnight in the fridge and baked beautifully with just a bit of extra time—super convenient!

Reheating

When reheating, I usually cover the casserole loosely with foil in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. This keeps the top from drying out and preserves that creamy cheesy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Brown rice has a longer cooking time and needs more liquid. You could use it but would have to adjust both the broth amount and cooking time significantly, possibly cooking it separately first before assembling the casserole.

What can I substitute for cream of chicken soup?

You can make a quick homemade cream of chicken sauce using butter, flour, chicken broth, milk, and seasonings. This is great if you prefer to avoid canned soups or want a fresher flavor.

Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

Yes! This casserole can be assembled up to 2 days before baking if refrigerated. Just take it out 30 minutes before baking and add extra bake time. You can also freeze it unbaked for longer storage.

Is it okay to use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Absolutely. Just be sure to thaw and pat the frozen broccoli dry really well to avoid excess water making your casserole soggy. You might also consider steaming it briefly for a nicer texture.

Final Thoughts

This **Creamy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe** has this magical way of feeling like a warm hug on a busy day. I love sharing it with friends because it’s just so reliably delicious and flexible—you really can’t go wrong. Give it a try next time you want something hearty, easy, and impossibly creamy!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way