Name: Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 cups long-grain white rice ((uncooked)); 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken ((cooked)); 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup; 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup; 2 cups milk ((any percent)); 1 cup sour cream; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese ((divided)); 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 Tablespoons olive oil; 1 small onion ((diced)); 1 small red bell pepper ((diced)); 2 cloves garlic ((minced)); 2 cups fresh broccoli florets ((cut into small pieces)); 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; chopped fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)

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Cozy up to this easy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole whenever you need a dose of southern comfort food. It's made with long grain white rice, broccoli florets and rotisserie chicken, then topped with cheddar cheese for a simple one-pan meal!

Fork taking a bite of chicken broccoli rice casserole.

Why You'll Love It

Bake in One Pan: a complete meal that's easy to bake in one pan
Assemble Ahead of Time: make ahead for busy weeknights or potluck suppers
Easy to Customize: add more veggies or customize however you like

This cheesy chicken and rice bake is hearty enough to serve by itself, or delicious with additional vegetables like Southern Collard Greens and Maple Bourbon Glazed Carrots. Simply mix everything together, bake it in the oven, and dinner is served in less than an hour.

What's the best part? If you're lucky enough to have leftovers, it tastes even better the next day!

Looking for more easy casseroles? Try my Chicken Tater Tot Casserole and Walking Taco Casserole for a new twist on your regular dinner routine. Or, check out this Roasted Broccoli with Pecans that turns a plain veggie into a tasty treat.

Recipe Ingredients

This recipe contains simple ingredients you may already have in your pantry and fridge. *See the printable recipe card at the end of this page for quantities and notes.

Rice - The recipe calls for long grain white rice, but you can substitute brown rice or wild rice if you bake it for a longer cooking time. You can also pre-cook the rice if desired.
Chicken - Substitute leftovers, or grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.
Canned Soups - Use one can each of cream of chicken soup and cream of mushroom soup to make the cream sauce.
Milk - Can substitute broth or stock for the liquid to cook the rice, but remember that the milk adds creaminess.
Sour Cream - The full fat version makes it more creamy, but you can substitute lower fat if needed.
Shredded Cheese: Cheddar cheese and parmesan work well (can use shredded or grated parmesan).
Olive Oil - Use extra-virgin olive oil for best results.
Veggies - Stir in the veggies like red bell pepper, diced broccoli, and onion.
Spices - You'll need garlic, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.

Ingredients needed for chicken broccoli rice bake.

Step by Step Instructions

STEP 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.

STEP 2: In a skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sauté the diced onion and bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.

STEP 3: In a large bowl, mix together rice, chicken, cream of soups, milk, sour cream, ½ cup of cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, sautéed onion, bell pepper, garlic, broccoli, thyme, salt, and pepper. (Alternatively, you can mix everything directly in the baking dish for easy cleanup.)

STEP 4: Cover mixture in baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

STEP 5: Remove from oven, uncover, and stir the casserole. Top with remaining 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese.

STEP 6: Return to oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly, and rice is tender. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Customize It!

Chicken: Use diced chicken or turkey as a variation.
Cheddar Cheese: Feel free to substitute mozzarella or Monterey jack cheese.
Vegetables: Add other vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach for extra flavor.
Frozen Broccoli: You can use frozen broccoli florets instead of fresh if desired.
Toppings: Can top with crushed corn flakes, bread crumbs or ritz crackers mixed with butter for extra crunch.

Serving Suggestions

Looking for ways to serve lots of folks? Try these delicious ideas...

Garlic Bread – a crusty loaf of cheese stuffed garlic bread makes a great sidekick
Side Salad – serve a harvest salad or roasted beet salad for extra crunch
Roasted Vegetables – roasted broccoli on a sheet pan gives you even more servings of veggies
Fruit Salad – enjoy a fresh fruit platter that goes well with this meal

Tips for Success

Use Pre-Cooked Chicken – Save time by using rotisserie chicken.
Dice the Broccoli – Chop the broccoli in small bite size pieces so it will be easier to cook.
Season Well – Be generous with seasonings. Add a bit of salt, pepper and garlic to the mix. Don't forget the dried thyme for added flavor!

Plate of chicken broccoli rice casserole.

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers: can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat: Cover the casserole with foil and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through, or microwave on high for 1-2 minutes until hot.

Freeze: Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.