Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

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Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole – A Family-Favorite Classic

This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is everything you want in a comforting one-pan dinner — creamy, cheesy, and packed with wholesome ingredients. Tender bites of chicken, crisp-tender broccoli, and fluffy rice come together in a rich homemade sauce and are topped with a buttery Ritz cracker crust. It’s an easy, hearty, and satisfying meal your whole family will love!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6
Oven Temperature: 375°F (190°C)
Calories per serving: 595 kcal

Ingredients

For the Rice:

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt

For the Broccoli:

  • 3 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces

For the Chicken:

  • 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Creamy Sauce:

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)

For the Topping:

  • 2 cups shredded cheese (Colby, Cheddar, or Jack all work well)
  • 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

1. Cook the Rice

In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, 1 tablespoon of butter, and ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 12–15 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Set aside.

2. Steam the Broccoli

Steam broccoli florets in a saucepan with about 1 inch of water for 2–4 minutes, just until bright green and slightly tender. Drain well and set aside. You may also microwave-steam the broccoli if desired.

3. Prepare the Cracker Topping

In a small bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Stir until the mixture is evenly moistened. Set aside.

4. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

5. Cook the Chicken

In a large oven-safe skillet (12-inch recommended), heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

6. Make the Sauce

In the same skillet, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Add diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle in the flour and stir constantly for about 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.

Slowly whisk in chicken broth until smooth and slightly thickened. Pour in the milk, then stir in onion powder, Italian seasoning, and fresh thyme. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring until it thickens.

7. Combine and Assemble

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the steamed broccoli, cooked rice, and 1¼ cups of the shredded cheese. Stir to combine everything thoroughly.

8. Top and Bake

Sprinkle the remaining ¾ cup of cheese over the top, followed by the buttery Ritz cracker topping.

Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and golden brown on top.

Note: If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can transfer everything to a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish before baking.

Helpful Tips & Variations

  • Chicken shortcuts: Save time by using rotisserie chicken, canned chicken, or leftover cooked chicken (about 2 cups).
  • Rice options: You can use a rice cooker to prepare the rice or substitute with 3 cups of leftover cooked rice.
  • Cheese choices: Colby, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a cheese blend will all work beautifully.
  • Add-ins: Stir in sautéed mushrooms, peas, or diced bell peppers for more veggies.

Storage & Reheating

  • Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezer: Cool completely and freeze in portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in the oven or microwave until hot.
  • Reheat: Microwave individual portions or reheat the whole dish in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.

Why You’ll Love This Casserole

  • One-pan comfort food at its best
  • Great for meal prep and freezer meals
  • Easy to customize with what you have on hand
  • Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing

 

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