Amazing 9-Minute Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole

Name: Amazing 9-Minute Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; ½ cup yellow onion, finely diced; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 ¼ cup white long grain rice, uncooked; 2 cups broccoli florets; 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced (about 1-inch pieces); 10.75 oz cream of chicken soup; ½ cup sour cream; ¾ cup milk; 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 cup Ritz Crackers, crushed into crumbs; 2 tablespoons butter, melted

By Daniel Carter on January 30, 2026

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If you’re like me, weeknights are often a scramble, and that’s exactly why I created this ultimate Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole. I’m Daniel, and when I started Reciqa, it was because I needed reliable, comforting meals that didn’t require a culinary degree to pull off after a long day. This casserole is pure comfort food magic—it’s intensely creamy, loaded with sharp cheddar, and that crunchy Ritz cracker topping? Oh, it’s everything.

This recipe isn’t just thrown together; I’ve tested the ratios of soup to sour cream repeatedly to ensure that perfect, hug-in-a-dish texture. When you pull this Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole out of the oven, the aroma alone is enough to bring the family running to the table. It’s simple, yes, but every step, from simmering the rice exactly right to getting that topping golden brown, is designed to deliver maximum flavor with minimum stress. Trust me, this cheesy dinner will become your go-to easy weeknight meal.

Gathering What You Need for Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole

Before we even think about turning on the stove, let’s get our ingredients lined up for this incredible Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole. Having everything measured out prevents that frantic searching halfway through cooking. It’s all about setting yourself up for success!

Essential Ingredients for the Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole

Here is the exact list you’ll need. Pay close attention to how the onion is diced and that the chicken is already cooked and cut into those one-inch pieces!

Preparing to Make Your Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole

Okay, setup time! We need to get our oven preheated and our dish ready before we start cooking anything. Getting organized now makes assembling this Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole so smooth later on. Don’t skip greasing that pan!

Equipment Checklist for Perfect Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole

Here are the tools I always grab for this recipe. Make sure your casserole dish is ready to go!

9 x 13-inch casserole dish
Large saucepan with a tight-fitting lid
Measuring cups and spoons
Wooden spoon or sturdy spatula
Box grater (if grating your own cheese!)

Expert Tips for Ingredient Preparation

A little prep work goes a long way in making sure this turns out perfectly creamy. First, make sure your cooked chicken breast is cut into nice, even one-inch cubes—this ensures every scoop has chicken! For the onion, aim for a fine dice so it melts into the sauce instead of leaving big crunchy bits. And when you handle the broccoli, use fresh florets, trimmed neatly.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole

Alright, let’s get cooking! This process moves fairly quickly once you start, but the key to this amazing Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole is managing those simmer times perfectly so the rice cooks without getting mushy. Remember to preheat that oven to 350°F right away and grease up that 9×13 dish!

Cooking the Rice Base and Vegetables

First things first, we build flavor! Melt that butter in your large saucepan over medium heat and cook those finely diced onions for about 5 minutes until they look soft and sweet. Next, you toss in the chicken broth, olive oil, and the uncooked rice. Bring that mixture to a boil, then immediately drop it down to a gentle simmer, cover it tight, and let it cook for exactly 8 minutes. Don’t peek! After that, add your fresh broccoli florets, pop the cover back on, and simmer for 7 more minutes. If you test the rice and it still feels a little hard, just cover it again and give it another 3 to 5 minutes. We want it tender, not crunchy!

Combining the Creamy Filling

Once the rice is done, take the pan completely off the heat and let it sit, covered, for 10 full minutes. This resting time is crucial—it lets the rice absorb any extra liquid and steam perfectly. Now, time for the magic! Stir in your diced cooked chicken, the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk. Get that all mixed together before folding in half of your shredded cheddar cheese. Give it a quick taste test and add salt and pepper as needed. Then, gently transfer this whole creamy mixture into your prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle that remaining cheese right on top!

Baking and Adding the Crunchy Topping

Pop that cheesy layer into the 350°F oven, covered with foil, for 15 minutes. We just want everything hot and the cheese melted here. While that’s baking, quickly mix your crushed Ritz crackers with the 2 tablespoons of melted butter in a small bowl. Once the 15 minutes are up, take the casserole out, sprinkle that buttery cracker topping all over the cheese layer, and slide it back into the oven—this time uncovered—for another 10 minutes. You’re looking for that topping to be golden brown and crispy. Let it rest for just 5 minutes before digging in; it sets up nicely then!

Why This Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole Works for Busy Nights

I get it; sometimes you need dinner on the table fast without sacrificing that cozy, homemade flavor. This Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole is my answer for those hectic evenings when I’m running on fumes but still want something delicious and satisfying for the family. It hits all those comfort food notes so easily!

It’s not just about the taste, though—it’s about how little effort it takes to get this cheesy dinner masterpiece ready. Here’s why I keep coming back to this recipe:

Super Quick Prep: With the rice cooking right in the saucepan with the veggies, you aren’t dirtying a separate pot for everything.
One-Dish Wonder: Everything goes into one 9×13 dish, meaning cleanup is a breeze after serving this easy weeknight meal.
Flavor Powerhouse: The combination of cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and sharp cheddar makes it incredibly rich and satisfying every single time.

Making the Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole Ahead of Time

This Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole is a superstar for leftovers, which is great news for busy folks! You can totally assemble this ahead of time if you want to skip a step on a busy weeknight. Just don’t add the cracker topping until you’re actually ready to bake it, okay? That topping needs to stay crunchy!

Storing and Serving Leftovers

We need a clear plan for how to keep this cheesy dinner fresh. Here’s the breakdown for storing and reheating:

Storage Action	Time Limit	Reheating Notes
Refrigerate (covered)	Up to 3 days	Cover tightly with foil. Reheat at 350°F until hot throughout, maybe adding a splash of milk if it seems dry.
Freeze (unbaked)	Up to 1 month	Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed. Add 10 minutes to the covered baking time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole

I always get so many questions when people first try this recipe, and that’s totally fine! It’s because this Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole is so adaptable. I’ve pulled together the most common things folks ask me about when they are planning to make this comforting meal. Don’t be shy—cooking should be fun, not stressful!

Can I use frozen broccoli in this Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole?

Oh, absolutely! Sometimes you’ve just got frozen veggies on hand, and that’s perfectly fine for this cheesy dinner. If you use frozen broccoli, don’t thaw it first! Just toss it right into the saucepan when the recipe calls for the fresh florets. You might need to add about 3 to 5 extra minutes to that initial simmering time to make sure it’s tender before you cover it up for the resting period.

What kind of rice works best for this recipe?

I specify long-grain white rice because it holds its shape really well during the simmering and baking process, which is key for a good texture in our casserole. You really want to avoid instant or quick-cooking rice here. Those varieties break down too fast when simmering in the broth, and you’ll end up with more of a mush than a distinct grain in your easy weeknight meal.

Can I substitute the cheese in this creamy dinner?

You bet you can swap out the cheddar! While I love that sharp cheddar flavor, if you’re feeling adventurous, Gruyère melts beautifully and adds a nutty depth. Monterey Jack is a great milder option if you want it less sharp. Just make sure whatever cheese you use is freshly shredded; pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents that keep it from getting that perfectly smooth, gooey melt we love in this comfort food.

Understanding the Nutrition of Your Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole

I always like to give you a rough idea of what you’re digging into with this cheesy dinner. Remember, these numbers are just estimates based on my specific ingredients, so they can shift a bit depending on what you use!

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 520 kcal
Fat: 30 g
Carbohydrates: 32 g
Protein: 28 g

Please keep in mind these are estimates for this Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole. Your final count might vary based on brands and exact measurements! For more general information on food safety and nutrition guidelines, you can check resources like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.