Chicken Broccoli Casserole is a one pan meal the entire family will love! Quick and easy comfort food at its finest!
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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Are you a casserole fan? If you scroll through the blog, chances are you’ll quickly realize I am! There is something so comforting about a casserole. All the tasty varieties, the ease of assembling, and of course, the leftovers! Plus, many casseroles easily freeze, which means dinner for another night!
This casserole has been a blog favorite for many years and if I had to guess, it’s because it’s a one pan meal! Can’t beat that, right?! Easy assembly, easy clean up, and only one pan to clean afterwards! I call that a win! Simple, quick and pure comfort food.
Reasons you’ll LOVE this recipe
- The Best Comfort Food. This chicken broccoli casserole is so cheesy, totally feel-good type of dish. It’s incredibly flavorful with lots of chicken and broccoli in every bite.
- One Pan Meal. I love these quick and easy meals. Makes dinner prep and clean up a breeze.
- Ideal For Busy Weeknights. Get dinner on the table in no time at all with just a few ingredients and all in one pan.
Ingredients Needed for Chicken Broccoli Casserole
- Brown Rice (cooked according to package directions)
- Broccoli, cooked and drained (you can also use a package of frozen broccoli if desired)
- Salt
- Chicken, cooked and diced (or shredded if desired)
- Olive Oil
- Cream of Chicken Soup
- Milk
- Black Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Italian seasoning
- French Fried Onions
*See recipe card below for exact amounts
How to prepare Chicken Broccoli Casserole
- Grease a 7 x 11 baking dish, set aside.
- Cook the brown rice according to directions, set aside.
- Cook the broccoli and drain water. Sprinkle the salt over broccoli and set aside.
- Cut chicken into small pieces and cook over medium high heat in the olive oil. Once cooked through, set aside. *You can also cook the chicken and shred once cooked, your choice
- In the same pan used to cook the chicken, add the cream of chicken soup, milk, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat mixture over medium heat until smooth and bubbly.
- To layer casserole, place brown rice on bottom of pan. Place cooked broccoli on top of rice. Place cooked chicken and top of broccoli. Pour the cream of chicken sauce on top of the chicken, making sure to cover entirely.
- Bake in a preheated oven, 350 degrees, for about 25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle the fried onions on top evenly.
- Place dish back into oven for another 10 minutes, or until onions are golden brown.
- Remove and serve!!
Cream of Chicken Substitute
Don’t have cream of chicken/mushroom/broccoli/cheese on hand? No problem! Here’s how you make a quick alternative:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup milk
- ⅓ cup chicken broth
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste.
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then add the flour and mix until it turns into a paste. Whisk in the milk and chicken broth until the flour paste is dissolved. Season with onion powder, salt and pepper. Continue whisking until the soup is smooth and creamy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use in place of cream of chicken soup? You can use cream of mushroom, cream of broccoli, and/or cheddar cheese soup (found by the cream of soups)
Can I use Minute Rice? I highly recommend you use regular long grain rice instead of minute rice:
- Long grain rice = creamier consistency. Short grain rice tends to be stickier.
- Regular rice has higher nutritional value and better flavor.
Can I use a Rotisserie chicken? Absolutely! Simply debone the chicken and shred up the meat. This definitely saves on time.
Can I freeze this and bake later? Yes! To do so, assemble the casserole and do not bake. Let it thaw for 24 hours in the fridge. Let it sit out for 30 minutes prior to baking or add 10 minutes to baking time.
How do I prepare this casserole ahead of time? This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 2 days prior to baking. Let it sit out for 30 minutes prior to baking or add 15 minutes to baking time.
Storage
-Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
-This casserole is a great meal to freeze and best if used within 2 months of freezing.
More Casseroles to try
BEST EVER Chicken and Rice Casserole
Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
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Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown rice *cooked to package directions
- 1 head broccoli *cooked, drained, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 lb chicken *cooked/shredded (or diced)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 can cream of chicken soup *10.75 oz can
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup French Fried Onions
Instructions
- Grease a 7×11 baking dish, set aside.
- Cook the brown rice according to directions, set aside.
- Cook the broccoli and drain water. Sprinkle the salt over broccoli and set aside.
- Cut chicken into small pieces and cook over medium high heat in the olive oil. Once cooked through, set aside. *You can also cook the chicken and shred once cooked, your preference 🙂
- In the same pan used to cook the chicken, add the cream of chicken soup, milk, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat mixture over medium heat until smooth and bubbly.
- To layer casserole, place brown rice on bottom of pan. Place cooked broccoli on top of rice. Place cooked chicken and top of broccoli. Pour the cream of chicken sauce on top of the chicken, making sure to cover entirely.
- Bake in a preheated oven, 350 degrees, for about 25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle the fried onions on top evenly.
- Place dish back into oven for another 10 minutes, or until onions are golden brown.
- Remove and serve!!
Nutrition
*Recipe updated 8/17/22
Sharon says
Could I use panko or seasoned bread crumbs, instead of the onions as a topper? Have some onion haters in my house lol
Kristin says
For sure! It won’t have the same crunch, but the flavor will still be great!! Either of those would work perfectly!!
Carole rassi says
Going to make this tonight! Sounds delicious and have broccoli I need to use!
Kristin says
Oh perfect!!! Let me know how it turns out, hope you enjoy it!!
Lynda says
How many servings does this make?
What size are the servings, best guess?
Kristin says
I would say it serves about 5 people. As for the size of each serving, my guess would be about 1 1/2 cups each
Hope that helps!!
Kay says
sounds good, might add a little cheese
Kristin says
Great idea!!
Kim MacFarlane says
Can leftovers be frozen??
Kristin says
Yes! I typically make an extra casserole and stick it in my freezer for another night 🙂
Kim MacFarlane says
Made this for my parents supper tonight and they said it was delicious. Thanks!!!
Kristin says
So glad they enjoyed it! Its a favorite of mine too!!
Vikena Gavalas Thigpen says
I made this today for our Christmas dinner at church and it was all gone. Everyone including me, really enjoyed every bite.
Kristin says
So glad you all enjoyed it!! It is a favorite of mine for sure 🙂
Vikena Gavalas Thigpen says
I look forward to making this Chicken Broccoli Casserole for Christmas
Kristin says
Great idea!! Let us know how it turns out! Hope your family and you have a wonderful Christmas <3
Diane says
The picture looks like there is bacon & cheese on top….which actually sounds delicious……lol
Kristin says
Although that would be yummy, I think you are seeing the toasted french onions and soup mixture 🙂
I bet that would be a great addition though, 🙂
jeanne alexander says
I took this to a church potluck and everyone loved it….came home with an empty dish!
Kristin says
Yea!!! So glad it was a hit!! An empty dish is always a great sign, hehe!! 😉
Audrey says
I made this recipe over the weekend and we thought it was delishious .will made this again.i did use the jasmine rice and added 2 small cans of mushrooms..thank you .
Kristin says
Yea!!! So glad your family and you enjoyed this!!! Glad it was just as yummy using the jasmine rice and I love the idea of adding mushrooms! Great thinking!!! Take care, 🙂
Lynelle Gordon says
When I try to PIN this recipe it does not give the name of the casserole; it just gives a number. Why is this? It has happened before.
Kristin says
Hmmm, I am not sure why that is happening? I will send this issue to our IT guy and have him look into fixing it, 🙂
Thanks for letting us know!!
Audrey says
Could you use jasmine rice instead of brown?
Kristin says
Sure! As long as it is cooked prior to putting into the casserole, it should work great!