Broccoli and Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe
This Broccoli and Rice Chicken Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for a family dinner. Combining tender broccoli florets, cooked rice, shredded chicken, and a creamy mixture of soup, sour cream, and cheese, it’s topped with a crispy parmesan and panko breadcrumb crust for added texture and flavor. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s both easy to prepare and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 can cream of chicken soup (or homemade cream of chicken soup)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
Topping
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 Tablespoons parmesan cheese
- 3 Tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat and Sauté Vegetables: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes almost tender, about 3 minutes. Then, add the fresh broccoli florets and continue sautéing until they start to soften, about another 3-4 minutes.
- Mix Casserole Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sautéed broccoli and onions with the cooked rice, cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cooked chicken. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- Prepare Casserole Dish: Spread the mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch casserole dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the Panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and melted butter until well combined.
- Bake: Sprinkle the breadcrumb topping evenly over the casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor, but you can use any cooked chicken.
- For a healthier version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt and use low-fat cheese.
- Ensure the rice is cooked and cooled before mixing to avoid a mushy casserole.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms or carrots for added nutrition and flavor.
- You can make the casserole a day ahead and refrigerate it, then bake just before serving.
