Description
Get your taste buds ready for a delicious flavors with the ultimate comfort food: the Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole. This dish is like a warm, cheesy hug for your stomach and a guaranteed mood-lifter.
With tender chicken, rice, broccoli, and a blend of creamy ingredients that’s as comforting as a cozy blanket, this casserole is the real deal.
Ingredients
4 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
3 cups long-grain white rice, cooked
6 cups (2 heads) broccoli florets (and spears optional) *see note for frozen broccoli florets
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet onion
2 (10 1/2 oz.) cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
2 and 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, divided
24 Ritz crackers, coarsely crushed
3 Tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray or butter.
- Cook rice according to package directions.
- While the rice is cooking, blanch the broccoli florets in a large pot of boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked rice, chopped onion, cream of chicken soup, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and 1 and ½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese and chicken. Stir until well combined.
- Gently stir in blanched broccoli florets.
- Transfer mixture to prepared 9×13-inch casserole dish. Top with remaining cheddar cheese.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter. Stir well to combine.
- Sprinkle Ritz cracker crumb mixture on top of the casserole.
- Bake in 350°F oven for 35 to 40 minutes.
Notes
Make-Ahead to Bake Later
Refrigerator Method
You can prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 2 days prior to cooking. Allow the casserole to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking and add 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time.
Note: You can pre-mix the cracker/butter topping and have it in the fridge in a small airtight container or ziplock bag. Do not sprinkle on top of the casserole if pre-making it until you’re ready to bake it.
Freezer Method
You can prepare the casserole as written in directions and do not bake. Cover with plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil.
Allow the casserole to thaw in the fridge over night, then come to room temperature on the counter for 30 minutes prior to baking.
Add 10 to 15 minutes to the directed baking time and test the centre to ensure that it’s heated through.
Note: As in the refrigerator method, the cracker & butter topping should be prepared and added on top before baking.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store cooked casserole, covered with plastic wrap, or transfer to an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer – This casserole freezes well and it is best if you use it within 3 months of freezing.
Let the casserole thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in 350°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes.
Alternatively, you can reheat single servings by placing them on a plate in the microwave for 30-second intervals until heated through.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 helping
- Calories: 555
- Sugar: 3.8 g
- Sodium: 643.5 mg
- Fat: 21.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 11.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 71.6 g
- Fiber: 3.2 g
- Protein: 18.6 g
- Cholesterol: 53.8 mg
