Chicken Broccoli Casserole is an easy family dinner made with tender chicken, broccoli florets, rice, and a creamy sauce, all baked together in one dish. Topped with crispy French fried onions, this comforting rice casserole is perfect for busy weeknights!
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. The easy assembly, simple cleanup, and leftovers make them hard to beat. This Chicken Broccoli Casserole has been a reader favorite for years because it’s a true one dish meal. If your family enjoys recipes like my Best Ever Chicken and Rice Casserole or Ultimate Chicken Casserole, this one is sure to become a regular on your dinner menu!
Quick Look: Chicken Broccoli Casserole
- Easy family-friendly dinner
- Made with chicken, broccoli florets, rice, and a creamy sauce
- Great use for leftover or rotisserie chicken
- Topped with crispy French fried onions
- Ready in about 45 minutes
- Perfect for making ahead and freezing
- Servings: 6-8
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Add me as a trusted Google source.I took this to a church potluck and everyone loved it…. came home with an empty dish!
Ingredient Notes
See printable recipe card below for exact ingredients and directions.
- Broccoli Florets: Fresh or frozen broccoli both work well in this casserole. If using frozen, thaw and drain any excess moisture first.
- Chicken: Cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts, shredded chicken, or rotisserie chicken are all great options. If you’re looking for another chicken dinner, try my Chicken and Stuffing Casserole.
- Brown Rice: Be sure to cook the rice before assembling the casserole. Long grain rice can also be used if preferred.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: This creates the creamy sauce that brings everything together. Cream of mushroom soup is another tasty option.
- French Fried Onions: These add a buttery crunch to the top of the casserole and are one of my favorite parts of the dish!
Easy Ways to Change It Up
- Switch the rice: Use white rice or long grain rice instead of brown rice.
- Try a different veggie: Cauliflower, peas, or mixed vegetables work well in place of the broccoli.
- Make it cheesy: Stir in shredded sharp cheddar cheese or mozzarella before baking for an extra creamy casserole.
- Change the soup: Use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup instead of cream of chicken.
- Add some heat: A dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes adds a little kick.
- For a different topping, swap the French fried onions for crushed Ritz crackers mixed with a little melted butter.
How to Make Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Step 1. Grease a 7 x 11 baking dish and set aside. Cook the brown rice according to package directions and set aside. Cook the broccoli florets until tender, drain well, and sprinkle with salt.
Step 2. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and cook in the olive oil over medium-high heat until cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside. You can also use shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken if preferred.
Step 3. In the same skillet, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, milk, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Step 4. Heat over medium heat until the sauce is smooth and bubbly.
Step 5. To assemble the casserole, spread the cooked brown rice evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 6. Layer the broccoli over the rice.
Step 7. Layer the cooked chicken evenly over the broccoli.
Step 8. Pour the cream sauce evenly over the chicken mixture. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.
Step 9. Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the French fried onions evenly over the top.
Step 10. Return the casserole to the oven for 10 more minutes, or until the onions are golden brown. Remove and serve.
Storage, Make-Ahead & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftover chicken broccoli casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Assemble the casserole as directed, but leave off the French fried onions. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly, and store in the fridge until ready to bake. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if starting cold.
- Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, or cover the casserole dish with foil and reheat in a 350 degree oven until hot.
Serving Suggestions
Although this chicken and broccoli casserole is a complete meal on its own, here are a few tasty side dishes to serve alongside it:
- Garlic Pull Apart Bread for a warm, buttery side everyone will love.
- Buttery Bread Machine Rolls for soaking up every bit of the creamy sauce.
- A simple green salad to add something fresh and crisp.
- Zesty Fruit Salad or your favorite fresh fruit for a lighter side option.
Chicken Broccoli Casserole Recipe FAQs
Yes. For the best texture, cook the broccoli before adding it to the casserole. This helps remove excess moisture and ensures the broccoli becomes tender while baking.
This casserole uses a creamy sauce made with cream of chicken soup, milk, garlic powder, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. The sauce helps keep the chicken, broccoli, and rice moist and flavorful while baking.
Since this is already a hearty one dish meal, I like serving it with a simple green salad, garlic bread, dinner rolls, or fresh fruit.
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Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown rice cooked according to package directions
- 1 head broccoli cooked, drained, and chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 lb chicken breasts cooked and diced (or shredded)
- 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
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 7×11 baking dish and set aside.
- Cook the brown rice according to package directions and set aside.
- Cook the broccoli florets until tender, drain well, and sprinkle with salt.
- Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and cook in the olive oil over medium-high heat until cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside. You can also use shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken if preferred.
- In the same skillet, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, milk, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until a smooth sauce forms.
- Heat over medium heat until the sauce is smooth and bubbly.
- To assemble the casserole, spread the cooked brown rice evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer the broccoli over the rice.
- Layer the cooked chicken evenly over the broccoli.
- Pour the cream sauce evenly over the chicken mixture.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the French fried onions evenly over the top.
- Return the casserole to the oven for 10 more minutes, or until the onions are golden brown.
- Remove and serve.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut for busy weeknights.
- Fresh or frozen broccoli florets can be used. If using frozen broccoli, thaw and drain well before assembling.
- Long grain rice or white rice can be substituted for brown rice.
- For an extra cheesy casserole, stir in 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese or mozzarella before baking.
- Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- To freeze, assemble the casserole without the French fried onions, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Add the onions just before the final bake.
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!