Name: Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 chicken breasts, cut into small cubes; ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 4 cloves garlic, minced; ¾ cup rice, uncooked; 1 can (10 ounces) cream of chicken soup; 2 cups chicken broth, low sodium; 2 cups broccoli florets; 1 cup cheddar cheese; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

There’s just something so cozy and satisfying about this Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe that makes it a go-to in my kitchen. The creamy cheese melting over tender chicken and broccoli, all in one pot? Pure comfort food magic that’s easy enough for weeknights but tasty enough to impress.

A creamy baked casserole is shown in a dark round pan placed on a white marbled surface. The dish has three main visible layers: the base layer consists of a thick, white creamy sauce mixed with rice and chunks of light beige chicken, the middle layer is made of bright green broccoli florets scattered evenly across the top, and the top layer is a mix of melted yellow and white cheese that covers the broccoli and rice, bubbling with a lightly browned texture in some spots. A shiny metal spoon lifts a scoop from the pan, showing the soft rice, chicken pieces, and broccoli mixed inside, with small bits of green herbs sprinkled on top and around the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times this casserole has saved dinner plans for me. It’s fast, flavorful, and requires just one skillet—so cleanup is a breeze. Plus, it hits that perfect spot between indulgent and wholesome, which makes everyone at the table happy.

One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks together, meaning fewer dishes and more time to relax.
Balanced & Filling: Tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, and comforting rice all layered in cheesy goodness.
Quick & Easy: Ready in just about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Customizable: Simple swaps let you make it your own, whether you want more veggies or a different cheese.

A close-up view of a dark pan filled with a creamy and cheesy dish consisting of melted shredded yellow and white cheese layers mixed with bright green broccoli florets and tender white pieces of chicken. A silver spoon lifts a scoop from the pan, showing a thick, rich cheese layer dripping down, mixed with crunchy broccoli and soft chicken pieces, against the backdrop of the same creamy mixture in the pan with more broccoli and chicken bits visible. The dish has a textured, gooey yet smooth feel with vibrant green colors standing out among the warm yellow and creamy white cheese parts, all set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe plays a star role. The creamy soup and broth cook the rice perfectly while keeping the whole dish moist, and fresh broccoli brings that beautiful pop of green and crunch. Here’s why these come together so well:

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of uncooked white rice, two whole uncracked chicken breasts, a small white ceramic bowl of olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl of chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl of shredded cheddar cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of green broccoli florets, a small white ceramic bowl of minced garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl with chopped fresh parsley, a small white ceramic bowl of finely chopped onion, four whole uncracked brown garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of cream of chicken soup, and two whole uncracked brown eggs, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: Adds healthy fat and helps brown the chicken and onion nicely for flavor.
Small onion: Brings sweetness and depth to the base of the casserole.
Chicken breasts: Using cubed pieces ensures even cooking and tender bites every time.
Salt and black pepper: Essential seasoning to bring out all the flavors.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic adds aromatic punch — don’t skip it!
Rice (uncooked): The heart of the dish; it soaks up all the flavors and gets perfectly tender.
Cream of chicken soup: This creates that luscious creamy texture everyone loves.
Chicken broth (low sodium): Keeps the dish flavorful without overpowering the other ingredients.
Broccoli florets: Adds nutrition, color, and just the right pop of crispness after cooking.
Cheddar cheese: Gives that gooey, melty, irresistible cheesy topping you crave.
Fresh parsley: A sprinkle on top brightens and freshens the rich casserole at serving time.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love this casserole just as is, but I know you might want to switch things up. This recipe welcomes your creativity, so don’t hesitate to make it your own—you’ll find it’s pretty forgiving and flexible.

Variation: Sometimes, I swap out cheddar for pepper jack or mozzarella to change the cheese vibe—makes it a little spicier or extra gooey! Adding mushrooms or bell peppers is another tasty way to sneak in more veggies.
Dietary tweaks: Try using cauliflower rice or brown rice if you want to adjust carbs or add a nuttier twist.
Protein swap: Leftover rotisserie chicken works perfectly if you’re short on time or want to skip the browning step.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the onion and chicken until golden

Heat up that olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Toss in your chopped onion first, letting it cook about a minute before adding the cubed chicken. Cook it all together for around 5 minutes until the chicken loses its pink and gets some nice browning — this layer of color means flavor. Season with salt and black pepper. Then stir in minced garlic and cook just 30 seconds; too long and garlic can get bitter, so watch it closely.

Step 2: Mix in rice, soup, and broth

Pour in the uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth. Begin with 2 cups of broth to avoid making the casserole too soupy—you can always add more if needed. Give everything a good stir so the rice gets evenly coated and starts soaking in all those savory flavors.

Step 3: Simmer and cook the rice

Bring the skillet to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover it, and let the rice cook for about 15 minutes. Be sure to stir it once or twice to prevent sticking and check if it needs more liquid—this keeps the rice perfectly tender and creamy without drying out. Taste and adjust seasoning at this stage.

Step 4: Add broccoli and cheese, then broil

Stir in your broccoli florets and half the shredded cheese, then cover and cook for about 2 more minutes so the broccoli gets just tender but still vibrant. Finally, sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and transfer the skillet to the broiler for a couple of minutes. Keep a close eye — you want the cheese to melt and get lightly browned but not burnt!

Step 5: Garnish and serve

Once out of the oven, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the casserole for a fresh burst of color and flavor. Serve hot and enjoy every comforting, cheesy bite.

Top Tip

From personal experience, cooking this casserole in an ovenproof skillet keeps things simple, but the key is monitoring the rice as it cooks. Stirring occasionally and being ready to add a splash more broth helps you avoid dry or mushy rice.

Browning the chicken: Don’t rush this step — those brown bits on the chicken add amazing flavor that builds the whole dish.
Garlic timing: Adding garlic right at the end of the sauté keeps it fresh and fragrant without bitterness.
Broccoli check: Add broccoli late so it doesn’t get too mushy — that slight snap is what makes it interesting.
Broiler blast: Watch the cheese closely under the broiler to get a perfect golden finish without burning.

How to Serve Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley — it adds a lovely pop of color and a little brightness to cut through the richness. Sometimes I also like a dash of freshly cracked black pepper or even a light drizzle of hot sauce if we want a bit of kick.

Side Dishes

This casserole packs a good balance on its own, but I love pairing it with a simple green salad or steamed green beans for extra veggies. A crusty baguette on the side is perfect if you want to scoop up any cheesy sauce left on the plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I’ve baked this in individual ramekins — it feels charming and lets everyone have their own cheesy, bubbly portion. You can also sprinkle a mix of toasted breadcrumbs and extra cheese on top before broiling for a crunchy twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I find that this casserole stores wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you reheat, it retains its creaminess well, just add a splash of broth or milk to loosen it up if it feels thick.

Freezing

You can definitely freeze this dish! It’s best to freeze before adding the fresh broccoli and cheese topping — freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight, then bake with fresh broccoli and cheese added just before finishing.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers covered in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or microwave individual portions with a splash of broth. If you want to crisp the top back up, pop it under the broiler for a minute or two.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice in this casserole?

Yes, you can substitute brown rice, but keep in mind it needs a longer cooking time and more liquid. You might want to pre-cook it or adjust the broth quantity to ensure it cooks through properly in the casserole.

Is there a vegetarian version of this Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe?

Absolutely! You can skip the chicken and add more broccoli or other veggies like mushrooms and bell peppers. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and swap the cream of chicken soup for cream of mushroom or a dairy-based cream soup.

Can I make this recipe ahead and reheat it later?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole up to the point before adding broccoli and cheese, then refrigerate it. When ready to serve, add the broccoli and cheese and bake until bubbly. This helps keep the broccoli fresh and vibrant.

What is the best way to get the cheese topping nicely browned?

Using the broiler for the last couple of minutes works wonders. Just keep a close watch so it doesn’t burn — you want your cheese to be melted, bubbly, and golden brown for the best texture and flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe has earned a special place in my meal rotation because it delivers big on comfort and flavor without fuss. Whenever I need a satisfying, wholesome dinner that doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen, this one-pot wonder is my hero. I’m confident you’ll love how it comes together for you too — give it a try and put your own spin on it. Your weeknight dinners just got a whole lot easier and tastier!