This quick and delicious Chicken Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole requires almost no prep and is a one dish, dump and bake meal that tastes just like mom used to make. Simplify those busy weeknights by adding this comfort food favorite to your dinner rotation. Dinner has never been easier!
Original post: 2019 | Updated: May 2025
Why You’ll Love This Cozy Weeknight Casserole
- Pure comfort food at its best. Even picky eaters love this!
- One pan dinner – The perfect recipe for family meals or when hosting a large group.
- No pre-cooking ingredients. Just dump and bake – the perfect weeknight casserole!
- Just a few min of prep and just over an hour in the oven.
When I was growing up, my mom made a delicious Chicken Rice Casserole that was one of my all-time favorite meals (still is). Not only is it ridiculously tasty, but I was always amazed (still am) that uncooked rice, raw chicken and a few other simple ingredients can be thrown into a single dish and turn out perfectly cooked.
That was my goal with this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, as well. To create a one-pan, dump and bake easy meal that is comfort food at its finest. Because I know the last thing you need is some complicated recipe taking up your precious time.
This tender chicken casserole is a life-saver for large family dinners or hosting a group. There is literally no prep involved. Throw all of the ingredients into the same dish and when you pull it out of the oven it will be cooked through and absolutely perfect. It still amazes me, Mom.
Creamy Chicken Casserole Ingredients
Remember, no pre-cooking is necessary whatsoever. Simply cut the uncooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and throw them into the casserole dish with the rice uncooked and other ingredients to make this amazingly creamy dish!
Cream of chicken soup – Or cream of mushroom or cream of broccoli soup.
Chicken broth – Or stock or vegetable broth.
Milk – Any variety.
Skinless chicken breast – Uncooked and cubed.
Frozen baby broccoli florets – No need to thaw; see sub section for tips using fresh broccoli.
White rice – Uncooked; can replace with brown rice. See sub section.
Dry onion soup mix
Sharp cheddar cheese – Or another variety of melty cheese.
How To Make Chicken Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole
This is a slightly shorter form of the full directions found in the recipe card below.
Step 1
Preheat oven to 375 and coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Step 2
In a large bowl, combine the soup, broth and milk. Mix well and set aside.
Step 3
Get your prepared pan and add a single layer of cubed chicken, followed by broccoli and uncooked rice.
Pour the soup mixture over the entire casserole, ensuring the rice is covered by liquid. Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the top
Step 4
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour.
Step 5
Carefully remove foil, top with cheese and bake for additional 10-15 minutes – until rice is cooked through and cheese is melted.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Frozen broccoli can be replaced with fresh broccoli florets. Use approximately 2 cups of small fresh florets to replace the package of frozen broccoli in the recipe.
- If you use brown rice instead of white, increase the amount of milk in the recipe to 3/4 cup and increase initial cooking time (while pan is covered) to 1 hour, 10 minutes.
- You can also top this cheesy casserole with bread crumbs, crumbled buttery cracker or crushed corn flakes.
How To Add Flavor
This easy dinner recipe is super flavorful on its own, but you can add spices/seasonings of your choice, a little salt and black pepper or Italian seasoning go a long way.
You can also add cooked bacon or chopped ham pieces when adding the cheese at the end.
How to Make This Dish More Healthy
There are a few things you can do to cut down on the calories, salt and fat in this easy casserole recipe:
- Cut the amount of cheese used in the recipe by half.
- Use low-sodium chicken soup and chicken broth.
- Use low fat products where applicable.
- Replace white rice with brown rice. See specifics in the substitution section.
- Add more veggies!
What to Serve with Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
The great thing about this meal is that it’s an all-in-one dish and a complete meal on its own. You can add an extra helping of veggies such as Roasted Veggies or maybe some delicious steamed artichokes.
I also highly recommend serving this casserole with some Sweet Soft Dinner Rolls or Homemade Garlic Bread.
How To Store Leftover Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Allow casserole to cool completely and either cover the baking dish with foil or transfer leftovers to an air-tight container. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
How To Freeze This Casserole
Freeze unbaked – Assemble the layers as directed in an aluminum baking pan and wrap tightly in foil. Place into resealable freezer bags and freeze for 3-4 months.
When you are ready to enjoy the casserole, let it thaw completely (preferably in the fridge overnight) and bake as directed on the recipe.
Freeze baked – Assemble the layers and bake as directed in an aluminum baking pan. Let the casserole cool completely and wrap tightly in foil. Place into resealable freezer bags and freeze for 3-4 months.
When you are ready for the casserole, let it thaw completely (preferably in the fridge overnight). Reheat in a 350 degree F oven uncovered for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
How to Reheat Chicken Casserole
Reheat leftovers in the oven or the microwave.
In the oven – place leftovers in a baking dish or pie plate and cover with foil. Place in a preheated 375° oven for 15-20 minutes or until hot.
In the microwave – Heat in a microwave safe dish for 2 minutes on high heat. Stir and heat for another minute if necessary.
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Chicken Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole
Ingredients
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
- 15 oz chicken broth
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 lb chicken breasts uncooked and cubed
- 14 oz frozen baby broccoli florets no need to thaw
- 1 cup white rice uncooked
- 1 oz dry onion soup mix
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the soup, broth and milk. Mix well and set aside.
- Add a single layer of chicken, followed by frozen broccoli and uncooked rice to the prepared pan. Pour the soup mixture over the top, ensuring the rice is covered by liquid.
- Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the top and cover tightly with foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
- Remove foil, top with the cheese and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until rice is cooked through and cheese is melted. Serve immediately!
Video
Notes
- Frozen broccoli can be replaced with fresh broccoli florets. Use approximately 2 cups of small fresh florets to replace the package of frozen broccoli in the recipe.
- If you use brown rice instead of white, increase the amount of milk in the recipe to 3/4 cup and increase initial cooking time (while pan is covered) to 1 hour, 10 minutes.
- You can also top this cheesy casserole with bread crumbs, crumbled buttery cracker or crushed corn flakes.
Can I use a rotisserie chicken instead of uncooked and just add it at the end?
Hey Sheri! This sounds like a great time saving idea to me!
I also added Italian style panko Bread crumbs with melted butter for a crunchy topping.
That’s a great addition. Thanks for sharing, June!
I made this and it came out super liquidy, what could i have done wrong?
I’m sorry, that’s so frustrating when a dish for dinner doesn’t come out right. It could be just the oven didn’t heat up strong enough, maybe the measurements were not close and more liquid was in it. I would have just left it cook longer in the oven until it got to the right consistency.
This recipe is great! Have a few changes I’ve made that I really like. A comment though – the chicken is always dry and flavorless – any suggestions?
I combine all the ingredients except for the chicken together first in a big bowl. I’ve done it with lots more broccoli and I’ve done it where I’ve added cauliflower. I also add cheese to the initial mixture in addition to the topping cheese. And I’ve used cream of chicken and mushroom and just cream of mushroom when I just had that. Except for the dry chicken, I absolutely love this recipe. I think the onion soup mix is the key to making this outstanding!
I’m sorry to hear that you had dry chicken after baking with all that deliciousness. I like the ease of using frozen chicken in this recipe however you can use fresh chicken as another way to keep it juicy and flavorful. Marinading chicken in buttermilk (and homemade buttermilk works perfectly!) for 30 min + can also help with juicy chicken. Give those a try!
When I cook rice I use what is called ‘Converted Rice” such a Uncle Ben’s. Can this 20 minute rice be used in your One Pan Broccoli Rice casserole. I am so anxious to try it.
Hi Ruth, great question. This recipe does not use a quick rice, so your rice would become mushy. You could omit the rice, bake it and then stir in the rice 20 min before it’s done. Let me know if you try it!
So good! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!!