Simple Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

### Introduction

Hey there, food adventurers! Today, we’re diving into the world of comfort food with my Simple Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole. Why does it rock? Oh, just you wait. Imagine creamy, cheesy goodness with juicy chicken and the crunch of broccoli hugging each bite of rice. Yeah, it’s a cozy casserole that hugs back. It’s a weeknight hero that’ll save your sanity and still make you feel like a dinner wizard.

### Family Story

This casserole is the MVP of my kitchen table. I’ve got stories for days about how it’s saved dinner time chaos. My husband claims it’s the dish that made him fall in love with me all over again… or maybe just secured his commitment to my cooking. My little ones? They’re sneaky veggies-out-of-their-dinner-hiding ninjas, but not with this casserole. They gobble up the broccoli like it’s candy. It’s cheesy magic, I tell you.

Why You’ll Love This Simple Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

– Because who doesn’t love a one-pan dinner that’s half awesome leftovers?
– It’s like a warm kitchen hug after a terrible Tuesday… or any day, really.
– Did I mention cheese is involved? A LOT of cheese. Enough said.
– You can sneak veggies into your kids’ mouths without a single bribe. Score!

How to Make It

Alright, buddy, here’s the scoop: fire up your oven — we’re going in! Grab some chicken, chop it up messily (don’t worry, it’ll taste amazing either way). Broccoli — cut into bite-sized trees, preferably not resembling a forest. Toss it into the mix with cooked rice; I usually have some leftover rice, but you can just as quickly whip up a fresh batch. Combine with a can of soup (cream of whatever-you-got), sprinkle shredded cheese like your life depends on it, and mix it all in one hodge-podge delight. Into the oven it goes, while you entertain yourself with the riveting plot of a dishwashing soap opera.

Ingredient Notes

– Chicken: Please don’t use rubbery leftovers. Fresh or rotisserie works, but rotisserie is a lazy night’s best friend.
– Broccoli: If you want to use frozen, just please thaw and drain it unless you like soup-y casserole.
– Rice: Any cooked rice, or mess around with quinoa because we’re wild and fancy like that.

Recipe Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Cook your rice if it’s not already done.
3. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
4. Mix chicken, broccoli, rice, soup, and, importantly, CHEESE in a big ol’ bowl.
5. Spread the mixture into a casserole dish like you mean it.
6. Bake uncovered for about 25-30 minutes. Let the cheese get all gooey and invite the gang to devour.

What to Serve It With

Tips & Mistakes

Storage Tips

Now, if you by some miracle have leftovers, stash them in the fridge. Works well hot or cold as the Best Breakfast Ever… or maybe that’s just my opinion. Just pop it in an airtight container. Reheat it, unless you skipped breakfast, in which case, just dig in. No judgment!

Variations and Substitutions

Be bold. Swap the chicken for turkey if you’ve got post-Thanksgiving blues. No broccoli? Toss in peas or those random mix veggies you’ve got chilling in the freezer. I’ve even swapped cheese for… wait for it… more cheese. Don’t skip the soup, though, unless you’re keen on chewing paste. Forgiven once, never again.

### Frequently Asked Questions

Simple Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

This easy and comforting chicken broccoli rice casserole combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and creamy cheese in a one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 2 cups Cooked white rice
• ▢ 1.5 pounds Boneless skinless chicken breasts diced
• ▢ 3 cups Fresh broccoli florets
• ▢ 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese divided
• ▢ 1 cup Cream of chicken soup
• ▢ 0.5 cup Sour cream
• ▢ 0.5 cup Milk
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• ▢ 0.5 teaspoon Onion powder
• ▢ 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper freshly ground
• ▢ 0.5 teaspoon Salt

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, diced chicken, broccoli florets, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
• Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
• Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden.
• Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, sprinkle some paprika on top before baking. Leftovers taste great reheated.