Chicken Rice And Broccoli Casserole

This chicken rice and broccoli casserole is a recipe you will want to have on rotation! It is delicious, family-friendly, and so simple to make. It is filled with a creamy and savory flavor that everyone loves. Take your chicken to the next level with this delicious casserole recipe! Homemade casserole dishes are the perfect comfort food to come home to! It is a simple combination of adding all the ingredients together and baking. Family dinner just got made quickly and easily with this amazing flavored dinner!

Chicken Rice and Broccoli Casserole Ingredients

Chicken rice and broccoli casserole are the perfect combination! This savory dinner is a complete meal with chicken as a main ingredient, and broccoli and rice as the side dishes. Most of these ingredients you already have on hand in the pantry or refrigerator. Make this dinner more than once a month for a delicious rotation!

Cream of chicken soup – Make a homemade-style cream of chicken soup, or buy the canned version at the store. Either way, they both give so much flavor and creamy texture to the dish. Sour cream – Also adds a creamy base with a sweet and tangy flavor to the cream sauce. Mayonnaise – This may sound different, but it is a MUST for this casserole dish. So tasty and adds flavor to the broccoli. Lemon juice – Balance out the cream bases and give a hint of sweetness to the dish, as well as keep the broccoli and chicken looking and tasting fresh. Milk – Creamy base that will help cook the chicken and make it tender and moist. Cooked rice or quinoa – Prepare the rice or quinoa according to the package directions. This will already be cooked before adding it to the casserole. Rice or quinoa both work well for this dish. Feel free to do it the original way with white or brown rice if you don’t prefer quinoa. Chicken – Make your chicken breast ahead of time, then shred the chicken, or for a quicker, way buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it. Broccoli florets – Your broccoli will need to be cut either big or small depending on your family’s preference. Cheddar cheese – Shredded cheese will be sprinkled over the top of the chicken and broccoli ingredients.

Steps to Making Chicken Rice and Broccoli Casserole

Combine the ingredients together and place in a casserole dish to make this chicken and broccoli casserole. First, mix the creamy mixture, make the rice or quinoa, then bake it all together. Lastly, top with cheese and melt a little longer. This cheesy chicken rice and broccoli dish is simple to make and has loads of flavor in each bite!

Tips and Substitutions

Try these added tips and any modifications to help make this chicken rice and broccoli casserole recipe just how you like it! Make this family dinner with these ideas in mind and have a few different ways of enjoying this broccoli rice casserole.

Cutting chicken – Instead of shredding your chicken, you can cut it into bite-size pieces. Substitute – Use cream of mushroom soup for a different flavor. Lighter ingredient – Try chicken broth instead of milk for a lighter casserole. It will still give good flavor as well as keep the chicken tender and moist. Creamy sauce – This tastes great if you do 1 cup of Greek yogurt instead of ½ cup of mayo and sour cream. Vegetables – Add in your favorite vegetables like fresh green beans, chopped onions, sliced celery, or cut-up carrots. Rice – Use either white rice, long-grain rice, or brown rice. Seasonings – For more flavor, add a tablespoon of basil and/or garlic powder. Black pepper and kosher salt are also two classic seasonings that are always on a dining room table. Cheese choices – Switch to a more flavored cheese like sharp cheddar cheese or add half jalapeño shredded cheese and cheddar cheese for a hint of spice. We love making this cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole! Topping – Once the cheese has melted, add a layer of crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter to the top and bake for a few more minutes to give more texture and depth to the casserole dish. It is similar to breadcrumbs and gives a soft crumb texture on top.

Storing and Reheating Chicken Rice and Broccoli Casserole

This is an easy dish to store in the refrigerator, freeze, and reheat! We love this chicken rice and broccoli casserole for those busy weeknights. Simply make it ahead and store, freeze it, and reheat it for a quick and easy dinner!

Refrigerate – Simply cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil, or plastic wrap, or place it in an airtight container in the fridge for four to five days. Freezer – Place the rice and broccoli casserole chicken in a freezable baking dish. When ready to thaw, place in the fridge overnight before cooking. Reheat – When ready to reheat, place back in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook until warmed up. If using a microwave, cook in 45-second intervals or until it is warmed through.

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