Description
This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole is everything you want in a cozy dinner—tender chicken, fluffy rice, crisp-tender broccoli, and melty cheddar all tied together with a creamy, savory sauce. Topped with buttery Ritz cracker crumbs, it’s a comforting classic the whole family will love.
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
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2 tablespoons butter
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2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken)
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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2½ cups chicken broth
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1¼ cups uncooked white long grain rice
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2 cups fresh broccoli florets (or thawed frozen broccoli)
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1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup (store-bought or homemade)
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½ cup milk (any kind)
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½ cup sour cream (or substitute mayo)
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2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (preferably hand-shredded for best melt)
Optional Seasonings:
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½ teaspoon dried thyme
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½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Topping:
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1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
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2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Prepare chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
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Cook chicken: In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter and cook the chicken until golden, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside. (Skip this step if using rotisserie chicken.)
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Cook the rice: In the same pot, add chicken broth, olive oil, and uncooked rice. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 6 minutes.
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Add broccoli: Stir in the broccoli, cover again, and cook for another 9 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid absorbed. Simmer an extra 5 minutes if needed.
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Rest the rice: Remove from heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 10 minutes to finish steaming.
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Mix it up: Stir in the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, half the shredded cheese, and any optional seasonings.
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Assemble the casserole: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining cheese, cover with foil, and bake for 15 minutes.
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Add the topping: Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter. After 15 minutes of baking, uncover the casserole, sprinkle on the topping, and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
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Cool and serve: Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
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Short on time? Use rotisserie chicken to skip the browning step.
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Make it ahead: Assemble up to the topping and refrigerate. Add cracker topping just before baking.
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Make it extra creamy: Stir in a bit of cream cheese or more sour cream for a richer texture.
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Freezer tip: This casserole freezes beautifully. Freeze before adding topping and bake from frozen, adding 15–20 minutes to the bake time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Casserole
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American