Quick and easy chicken broccoli rice casserole recipe, homemade with simple ingredients in one pot in 30 minutes. Full of cheddar cheese, leftover rice, rotisserie chicken, mayonnaise and crispy Ritz cracker topping.
This is sure to be a family favorite that the kids will like as well as the adults, especially because it is a simple and easy meal to prep and cook. Love an easy meal for everyone? Check out this Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole (One Pan) and Green Bean Casserole (One Pan) for two other fantastic dinner options.
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How to make chicken broccoli rice casserole recipe from scratch?
- Mix all ingredients In casserole dish- This includes chicken, broccoli, cream of chicken soup, rice, cheese, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning.
- Spread mixture- As evenly as possible.
- Add topping -Sprinkle Ritz crackers and melted butter on top.
- Bake- Until top is golden brown.
Do you have to cook rice before putting it in a casserole?
I suggest using leftover cooked rice you already have in your fridge from a previous meal.
Can you put uncooked rice in casserole?
Yes, you can do this but not in the recipe below. Typically, when you use uncooked rice, you need to add additional liquid such as broth, milk, or water because dry rice soaks up several cups of liquid during cooking. If you do not add additional liquid your casserole will be dry and the rice will be crunchy and uncooked.
Can you put raw chicken in a casserole?
You could, but I don't recommend it, because sautéing it first adds more flavor and also eliminates excess liquid that could make the casserole mushy.
What sides do you serve with chicken broccoli casserole?
Typically, a casserole has all the main ingredients to make it a full a meal, but adding in some extra vegetables is always a good choice around the dinner table.
Green beans are always a good choice:
You can also use other vegetables:
Salads pair nicely as well:
Variations for chicken and broccoli bake
Substitute the mayo-If you aren't a fan of the mayo taste, are dairy free, or just don't have mayo on hand there are a few options.
Substitute the cream of chicken-If you do not have a can of cream of chicken or do not like to use it, you can substitute a cup of sour cream mixed with 2 tablespoons of chicken broth. You can also use this White Sauce (you can omit the garlic and parmesan for this casserole) or homemade Cheddar Cheese Sauce (One Pot). If you choose the latter, you can leave out the shredded cheese in this recipe.
Use a Ritz topping alternative- If you don't have Ritz's crackers on hand or prefer a different flavor, try cornflakes or other savory crackers. If you are using cornflakes, they should be unflavored. Crush them and add them on top instead of Ritz crackers.
Leave off the Ritz crackers -And just use enjoy a cheesy topping.
Try different types of cheeses- Such as feta, gouda, parmesan, mozzarella e.t.c.
Consider a different meat/ protein- Instead of chicken, add cooked sausages, bacon, ground beef, Instant Pot Shredded Beef.
Think about adding variety of rice or different kind of rice- I used white rice but you can use brown rice or wild rice. Just make sure they are already cooked.
Tips and techniques for broccoli cheese casserole
Use freshly shredded cheese- Because it melts the best and also does not have a chalky after-taste.
Can I use frozen broccoli? This is possible but not recommended, because it can change to overall texture and taste of your casserole, possibly making it mushy. If you must use frozen broccoli, make sure to thaw it first and pat it dry.
Don't use frozen chicken-Otherwise there may be too much liquid in the casserole, making it soupy.
How to fix a dry casserole? You can add extra liquid like broth.
How to fix a soggy casserole? Bake uncovered to evaporate excess liquid. Also, make sure you measure ingredients properly to prevent too much liquid being added in the first place.
Use fully cooked leftover rice- This cannot be replaced with uncooked rice. It just won't work!
Use unsalted butter- Because salted butter can make the meal very salty.
Do not cover with foil while baking- Because it will make the cracker topping soggy.
Storage
Refrigerator-Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days but the cracker topping won't be as crispy any more.
Freezer-Let casserole cool, divide into gallon sized freezer bags, place date on the bag, and store for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Make ahead instructions- Mix all the ingredients in a casserole dish. Cover and refrigerate. Add the Ritz cracker topping and bake 30 minutes before guests arrive.
More One Pot Broccoli Recipes
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup (One Pot)
- Cream of Broccoli Soup (One Pot)
- Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli Recipe
- Chicken and Broccoli (One Pot)
- Broccoli Salad Recipe (One Bowl)
Recipe
One Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Rotisserie chicken Diced
- 2 cups Broccoli Cut into small florets, Fresh
- 1 can Cream of chicken soup Low sodium, 10.5 oz. can
- 2 cups Cooked rice Can be white or brown, Must be already cooked, Leftovers are great
- 1.5 cups Cheddar cheese Shredded, Or use combination of mozzarella and cheddar cheese
- ½ cup Mayonnaise Full fat
- Salt To taste
- Pepper To taste
- 1-2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¾ cup Ritz crackers Crushed
- 2 tablespoon Butter Melted, Unsalted
Instructions
- In a large casserole dish (Dimensions: 9x13), add chicken, broccoli, cream of chicken soup, rice, cheese, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning.
- Mix gently until combined.
- Spread mixture evenly in the dish.
- Sprinkle Ritz crackers on top and spread them out evenly.
- Drizzle melted butter over the top.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for about 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and top is crispy and golden brown.
Notes
- Read all my tips above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days but the cracker topping won't be as crispy any more.
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.
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