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This easy chicken broccoli rice casserole recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Use rotisserie chicken for simple comfort food with minimal prep in minutes!

easy chicken broccoli rice casserole with cheese on serving spoon.

You can never have too many easy chicken recipes, and this cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole is one of the quickest and easiest dinners you can make. I use cooked chicken and instant rice in this easy recipe to get this cheesy chicken dinner on the table in no time. It’s a life saver on busy weeknights or whenever you’re too tired to cook!

This one dish meal is a great way to use up leftover chicken (or leftover turkey from Thanksgiving) and get the kids to eat some veggies. Even my picky eaters like this simple meal, and one even went back for seconds! While this chicken casserole is a complete meal, we like to add homemade garlic bread on the side.

cooked chicken, minute rice, broccoli and ingredients for casserole.

Ingredient Notes

Here’s a quick list of what you need to make this chicken broccoli casserole. Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.

  • Chicken — leftovers or rotisserie chicken cut into bite-size pieces
  • Rice — I use Minute rice, but any brand of quick cooking rice is fine. You can use long grain white rice, but the directions and cooking time will be a little different.
  • Broccoli — I love fresh broccoli florets, but frozen broccoli is fine.
  • Water — to cook the rice — or chicken broth for added flavor
  • Cream of chicken soup — for a creamy sauce
  • Milk — thins out the soup
  • Spices — sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley
  • Cheese — cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese. I sometimes use American cheese slices for an even creamier sauce.

How to Make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

First, I like to cook the broccoli and rice on the stove. Turn off the heat, and add the remaining ingredients, except the cheddar cheese. Spoon the rice mixture into a prepared baking dish, top with cheese, and bake until the cheese melts and the casserole is bubbly. You can skip baking the casserole if you want or use an oven-safe skillet or small Dutch oven to keep this a true one-pot meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can make the casserole a day ahead of time and bake it when you are ready to eat. This casserole can even be prepared and frozen for up to 3 months before baking. Store leftover chicken and rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I usually reheat leftovers in the microwave, but you can bake larger portions in the oven until heated through.

cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole in baking pan.

Recipe Tip

Cut broccoli into small pieces so it cooks evenly. Use frozen mixed veggies to make this easy meal even easier.

For a crunchy topping, mix 1 sleeve of crushed Ritz crackers or buttery crackers, with 4 tablespoons melted butter, then sprinkle over casserole before baking.

More Easy Casseroles to Try

Love casseroles? Try my Million Dollar Chicken Casserole, or my Leftover Turkey Casserole or this Tuna Casserole or Fiesta Chicken Casserole Next. Try this Instant Pot version if you have an electric pressure cooker.

5 from 2 votes

Easiest Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

By: Dee
This easy chicken broccoli rice casserole recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Use rotisserie chicken for simple comfort food with minimal prep in minutes!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients  

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 cups instant rice
  • 2 cups cooked chicken bite size pieces
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
  • 1 15-oz can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
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Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350โ„‰ and grease a 9×11 casserole dish
  • In a large skillet or small Dutch oven, bring water to boil
  • Add the broccoli, and cook for 1 minute
  • Stir in rice, then remove from heat
  • Stir in remaining ingredients, except for cheddar cheese, until well blended
  • Spoon rice mixture into prepared baking dish, and top with remaining cheese

Notes

You can sub frozen broccoli or frozen mixed veggies.
Use your favorite cheese. American cheese slices will make the rice even creamier.

Nutrition

Calories: 333kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 69mg, Sodium: 614mg, Potassium: 242mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 579IU, Vitamin C: 20mg, Calcium: 364mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
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Recipe Rating




4 Comments

  1. Ann says:

    This was a delicious and easy meal to make! My whole family loved it!5 stars

    1. Dee says:

      Thanks, Ann. I’m glad you liked it!

  2. Keith says:

    Super easy recipe! Used left over chicken and everything was great. Going to make this when there is not too much time to plan for dinner.5 stars

    1. Dee says:

      So glad you liked the casserole, Keith. Thanks!