Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

why make this recipe

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a comforting one-dish meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. It’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor. You can feed the whole family with this hearty dish that combines tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, and creamy rice. Plus, it’s a great way to use leftover chicken or rice, making it a smart choice for meal prep.

how to make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 5-6 chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/4 cup chicken stock
• 1 10.5 oz can cream of chicken with herbs
• 1 10.5 oz heavy cream (add heavy cream to cream of chicken can to measure)
• 1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (mild or medium)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup Boursin cheese
• 3 tbsp Bayou City all-purpose seasoning (divided)
• 1 tbsp Bayou City garlic pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne
• 4 cups broccoli florets (cooked)
• 4 cups white rice (cooked)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
3. Season the chicken thighs with olive oil and 2 tablespoons of all-purpose seasoning. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked.
4. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it cool. Shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
5. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
6. Pour in the chicken stock to deglaze the pan. Let it reduce for about 4 minutes, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
7. Add the cream of chicken soup with herbs to the skillet. Pour in the heavy cream after measuring it in the cream of chicken can. Stir to combine.
8. Add the Boursin cheese and 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and the sauce is smooth. Reserve some cheese for topping later if you want a thicker consistency.
9. Stir in the sour cream until well combined.
10. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, cooked broccoli, and shredded chicken.
11. Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the rice mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated. Season with Bayou City seasonings, onion powder, and cayenne. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.
12. Transfer the mixture to a large casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
13. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese on top.
14. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
15. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
16. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy hot! Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley and paprika.

how to serve Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Serve the casserole hot, straight from the oven. It pairs well with a simple green salad or some crusty bread for a complete meal. For added flavor, you can sprinkle fresh herbs or extra cheese on top when serving.

how to store Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place it in the microwave or oven until warmed through. You can also freeze the casserole for longer storage; just make sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe dish.

tips to make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

• Use fresh chicken thighs for the best flavor, but you can also use rotisserie chicken to save time.
• Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots or bell peppers to increase the nutrition.
• Adjust the seasoning based on your preference; add more cayenne if you like it spicy!

variation

You can swap out the broccoli for other veggies like spinach or cauliflower. If you’re looking for a lighter version, use chicken breast instead of thighs, and swap out the heavy cream for a lighter milk.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, brown rice can be used, but make sure it’s fully cooked before adding it to the casserole, as it takes longer to cook than white rice.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the casserole the day before, cover it, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if baking straight from the fridge.

What can I use instead of Boursin cheese?
If you don’t have Boursin cheese, you can use any soft cheese, like cream cheese or goat cheese, for a similar creamy texture.

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

A comforting one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights, packed with flavor from tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, and creamy rice.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Casserole

• 5-6 pieces chicken thighs Use fresh or rotisserie chicken.
• 4 cups broccoli florets (cooked) You can substitute with other vegetables.
• 4 cups white rice (cooked) Brown rice can be used as an alternative.
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter For cooking the chicken.
• 1 tbsp olive oil For seasoning the chicken.
• 4 cloves garlic (minced) Adds flavor to the dish.
• 1/4 cup chicken stock To deglaze the pan.

For the Sauce

• 1 can cream of chicken with herbs (10.5 oz) Base for the sauce.
• 1 can heavy cream (10.5 oz) Measured in the cream of chicken can.
• 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese (mild or medium) Reserve some for topping.
• 1/2 cup sour cream For creaminess.
• 1/3 cup Boursin cheese Can substitute with cream cheese or goat cheese.
• 3 tbsp Bayou City all-purpose seasoning Divided for seasoning.
• 1 tbsp Bayou City garlic pepper For additional flavor.
• 1 tsp onion powder Seasoning for taste.
• 1/2 tsp cayenne Adjust according to spice preference.

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Melt the butter over medium heat in a large skillet.
• Season the chicken thighs with olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the all-purpose seasoning. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked.
• Remove the chicken from the skillet, let it cool, then shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces.
• In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
• Deglaze the pan with chicken stock and let it reduce for about 4 minutes.
• Add the cream of chicken soup and heavy cream to the skillet, and stir to combine.
• Add the Boursin cheese and 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Reserve some cheese for topping if desired.
• Stir in the sour cream until well combined.

Mixing

• In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, cooked broccoli, and shredded chicken.
• Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the rice mixture and stir until evenly coated. Season with additional seasonings, salt, and pepper to taste.

Baking

• Transfer the mixture to a large casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
• Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
• Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Serve hot with a side of green salad or crusty bread. Can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, or frozen for longer storage.

Keyword Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, Comfort Food, easy dinner, Meal Prep, One-Dish Meal