Chicken Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole (Printable version)
Hearty casserole combining chicken, broccoli, rice and three cheeses in a creamy sauce with crispy breadcrumb topping.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Protein & Dairy
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
02 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
03 - 1 cup sour cream
04 - 1 cup milk
→ Vegetables
05 - 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
06 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Grains
08 - 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
→ Sauces & Seasonings
09 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
→ Topping
13 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
14 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Heat a splash of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked chicken, broccoli florets, cooked rice, sautéed onion and garlic, 1½ cups cheddar cheese, sour cream, milk, condensed soup, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
04 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
05 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter. Mix until breadcrumbs are evenly coated. Sprinkle the buttered crumbs over the cheese layer.
06 - Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes until the casserole is hot and bubbly around the edges and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown.
07 - Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to allow it to set for easier scooping.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- It turns leftover chicken into something everyone actually wants to eat
- The crispy buttered topping is worth the effort alone
02 -
- Frozen broccoli must be thawed and drained really well or your casserole will be watery
- The resting period is not optional, it needs those minutes to hold together when served
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded for the best melting
- Warm the condensed soup slightly before mixing to make it easier to combine