Description
Creamy chicken broccoli rice casserole blends hearty ingredients into a comforting meal perfect for family dinners. Cheesy layers and tender chicken make this dish a satisfying comfort classic you’ll want to enjoy again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts (cooked and cubed into 1-inch pieces)
- 1 head of broccoli (segmented into florets)
- 1 package (8 oz/226.8 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cans (10.5 oz/298 g each) condensed cream of broccoli soup
- 1.5 cups water
- 1.5 cups uncooked instant rice
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tbsp Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal cooking environment for the casserole.
- Boil water in a saucepan and add instant rice. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Gently fluff rice with a fork to separate grains and create a light texture.
- Combine cooked rice, cubed chicken, and broccoli florets in a casserole dish, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Whisk condensed cream of broccoli soup with milk in a mixing bowl. Incorporate Italian-seasoned bread crumbs, garlic powder, and black pepper to create a rich, flavorful sauce.
- Pour the creamy mixture over the rice, chicken, and broccoli. Fold in half of the shredded Cheddar cheese, blending thoroughly to integrate flavors.
- Top the casserole with remaining cheese, creating a golden, melty surface. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until the dish is heated through and cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, allowing it to set and making serving easier and more stable.
Notes
- Swap instant rice with brown or cauliflower rice for a healthier, lower-carb alternative that adds more nutrients and fiber to the dish.
- Replace chicken with tofu, tempeh, or plant-based protein to create a vegetarian version that maintains the creamy, comforting texture.
- Enhance the flavor profile by adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika or nutritional yeast for depth and complexity without overwhelming the original taste.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium cream soup and choosing reduced-fat cheese, making the casserole more heart-friendly without sacrificing taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 377 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg