Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a comforting, creamy, and cheesy baked dish combining tender broccoli, cooked chicken, and fluffy rice in a savory mixture enriched with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and Velveeta cheese. Topped with shredded cheddar and baked to perfection, it’s a hearty and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen broccoli
- 10 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, chopped into very small pieces
- 3 1/2 cups cooked white rice
- 3 cups diced, cooked chicken
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Broccoli: Prepare the frozen broccoli according to the package instructions, usually by boiling or steaming. Once cooked, drain any excess liquid thoroughly. Place the hot broccoli on a cutting board and chop it into smaller, bite-sized pieces for easier mixing and eating.
- Mix Base Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked broccoli, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and the chopped Velveeta cheese. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated into a creamy mixture.
- Add Rice, Chicken, and Seasonings: Add the cooked white rice, diced cooked chicken, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cracked pepper to the broccoli mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine all components evenly.
- Adjust Seasonings: Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning if needed. If your chicken was unseasoned, consider adding more salt, pepper, or other spices to enhance flavor.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Then, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top to create a cheesy crust when baked.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. This allows the casserole to heat through and the cheeses to melt thoroughly.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes uncovered. This final step will brown the cheddar topping and give a slightly crisp texture.
- Serve: Take the casserole out of the oven, let it cool slightly, then serve hot as a fulfilling main dish.
Notes
- Sour cream adds richness; you can substitute with Greek yogurt for a tangier, lower-fat option.
- Use leftover roasted or grilled chicken for convenience; ensure the chicken is cooked and diced before adding.
- Seasonings can be adjusted according to taste or dietary needs.
- Velveeta cheese helps create a smooth, creamy texture but can be replaced with processed cheese or additional cheddar for a different cheese profile.
- Make sure to drain broccoli well to prevent the casserole from getting watery.
Keywords: chicken broccoli rice casserole, cheesy chicken casserole, cream of chicken casserole, easy baked chicken dinner
