Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Indulge in the ultimate cozy dish with this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole! Packed with tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and a rich, cheesy sauce, each forkful is like a warm hug on a plate. Bake it to perfection for a creamy, satisfying meal that’s sure to become a family favorite!
Prep
15
min
Cook
33
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(4)
- broccoli
- minced garlic
- diced onions
- pepper
🥩Meat & Seafood(3)
- diced chicken
- cooked chicken
- chicken broth
🥛Dairy & Eggs(3)
- butter
- shredded cheese
- evaporated milk
🫙Pantry Staples(2)
- flour
- steamed rice
🧂Spices & Seasonings(4)
- garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- onion powder
- salt
📦Other(1)
- better than bouillon
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Sauté diced chicken and season well with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- 2
Remove from the pan, then melt butter, sauté diced onions and minced garlic, and season with a little bit of better than bouillon.
- 3
Sprinkle in flour to coat, then add chicken broth and evaporated milk, making sure to break up any lumps.
- 4
Season the creamy sauce with garlic and onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- 5
Simmer until thickened.
- 6
Steam up some broccoli and add it into a bowl along with the cooked chicken, steamed rice, the creamy sauce, and shredded cheese.
- 7
Mix until evenly combined, then transfer into a large baking pan.
- 8
Top with more cheese and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes, covered, then uncovered for another 8 minutes until the cheese is melted.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Cook your rice to 85% doneness (slightly underdone) before mixing into the casserole because it will absorb moisture and finish cooking during the 33-minute bake time.timing85% doneness
- ✓Make your roux with a 1:1 flour-to-butter ratio and cook for 2-3 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste while maintaining thickening power for the cream sauce.technique1:1 ratio, 2-3 minutes
- ✓Steam broccoli for exactly 3-4 minutes until bright green but still firm because it will continue cooking in the 375°F oven and prevent mushy texture.timing3-4 minutes
- ✓Reserve 1/4 cup of starchy pasta water or chicken cooking liquid to thin the sauce if needed, as evaporated milk can break when overheated above 180°F.technique180°F threshold
- ✓Use a 2:1 ratio of melting cheese (like cheddar) to finishing cheese (like Parmesan) for optimal meltability and flavor complexity in the final dish.ingredient2:1 ratio
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
33
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Indulge in the ultimate cozy dish with this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole! Packed with tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and a rich, cheesy sauce, each forkful is like a warm hug on a plate. Bake it to perfection for a creamy, satisfying meal that’s sure to become a family favorite!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(4)
- broccoli
- minced garlic
- diced onions
- pepper
🥩Meat & Seafood(3)
- diced chicken
- cooked chicken
- chicken broth
🥛Dairy & Eggs(3)
- butter
- shredded cheese
- evaporated milk
🫙Pantry Staples(2)
- flour
- steamed rice
🧂Spices & Seasonings(4)
- garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- onion powder
- salt
📦Other(1)
- better than bouillon
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Sauté diced chicken and season well with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- 2
Remove from the pan, then melt butter, sauté diced onions and minced garlic, and season with a little bit of better than bouillon.
- 3
Sprinkle in flour to coat, then add chicken broth and evaporated milk, making sure to break up any lumps.
- 4
Season the creamy sauce with garlic and onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- 5
Simmer until thickened.
- 6
Steam up some broccoli and add it into a bowl along with the cooked chicken, steamed rice, the creamy sauce, and shredded cheese.
- 7
Mix until evenly combined, then transfer into a large baking pan.
- 8
Top with more cheese and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes, covered, then uncovered for another 8 minutes until the cheese is melted.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Cook your rice to 85% doneness (slightly underdone) before mixing into the casserole because it will absorb moisture and finish cooking during the 33-minute bake time.timing85% doneness
- ✓Make your roux with a 1:1 flour-to-butter ratio and cook for 2-3 minutes to eliminate raw flour taste while maintaining thickening power for the cream sauce.technique1:1 ratio, 2-3 minutes
- ✓Steam broccoli for exactly 3-4 minutes until bright green but still firm because it will continue cooking in the 375°F oven and prevent mushy texture.timing3-4 minutes
- ✓Reserve 1/4 cup of starchy pasta water or chicken cooking liquid to thin the sauce if needed, as evaporated milk can break when overheated above 180°F.technique180°F threshold
- ✓Use a 2:1 ratio of melting cheese (like cheddar) to finishing cheese (like Parmesan) for optimal meltability and flavor complexity in the final dish.ingredient2:1 ratio