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Does anyone else feel like Monday nights are the hardest? The weekend is officially over, everyone is tired, and the last thing you want is a complicated meal with a mountain of dishes. This is why I call this one pan chicken broccoli rice casserole my weeknight savior, and I know Grandma would have absolutely loved this brilliant solution. It’s a complete, family-friendly meal in a single dish, which means it’s a dinner with easy cleanup that actually works for real life. Three simple ingredients (chicken, rice, and broccoli) come together in the most magical way, creating something far greater than the sum of its parts.
This one-pan meal made all in ONE POT and ready in only 30 minutes, making it the closest you’ll get to magic on a busy Monday! It’s proof that the most satisfying comfort food dinners often come from the simplest combinations.
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Why You’ll Love This One Pan Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
This easy one pan chicken broccoli rice casserole is pure weeknight magic! Picture this: tender shredded rotisserie chicken, perfectly cooked long-grain white rice, and vibrant broccoli florets all swimming in a creamy, cheesy sauce that brings everything together beautifully. It’s a dump-and-bake style recipe that requires no pre-cooking, making it the ultimate quick weeknight dinner solution. The melty cheese topping gets golden and bubbly while the rice absorbs all those incredible flavors underneath. Plus, with minimal cleanup required, you’ll have more time to actually enjoy dinner with your family instead of standing over a sink full of dishes. This comfort food dinner delivers that satisfying, home-cooked feeling without all the fuss!
What You’ll Need
This healthy chicken rice broccoli casserole uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen! No fancy shopping trips required for this freezer-friendly casserole.
One Pan Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Ingredients
- Boneless chicken (or rotisserie chicken, shredded)
- Long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- Fresh or frozen broccoli florets
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chicken broth
- Cream of chicken soup (or homemade cream sauce)
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper
- Butter
- Optional: Ritz crackers for buttered breadcrumb topping
Why These Ingredients Matter
The secret to this creamy rice casserole is using uncooked rice that absorbs all the flavorful liquid as it bakes, creating the most incredible texture. Rotisserie chicken is a huge time-saver, but you can absolutely use fresh chicken if you prefer. The cream of chicken (or mushroom) sauce creates that rich, comforting base that makes this a true comfort food dinner, though you can make it healthier by using a homemade cream sauce. Grandma always said that good cheddar cheese makes everything better, and she’s absolutely right… it creates that gorgeous melty cheese topping that everyone fights over!
How to Make One Pan Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Step-by-Step Directions
- Preheat and prep – Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. This gives you the perfect stovetop to oven transition.
- Layer the rice – Spread uncooked rice evenly in the bottom of your prepared baking dish. This creates the foundation for your one-pot masterpiece.
- Add the chicken – If using raw chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper. Layer over the rice. If using rotisserie chicken, just shred and distribute evenly.
- Mix the sauce – In a large bowl, whisk together chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, onion powder, garlic powder, and seasonings until smooth.
- Pour and cover – Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and rice, making sure everything is well covered. Cover tightly with foil.
- Bake covered – Bake for 25 minutes, then remove and check that rice is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Add broccoli and cheese – Remove foil, add broccoli florets, and top with shredded cheese. Bake uncovered for 10-15 more minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Rest and serve – Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps everything set up perfectly for this easy dinner that cooks in one dish!
Substitutions for One Pan Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
No cream of chicken soup? This one pan chicken broccoli rice casserole no soup version works perfectly! Just mix together 1 cup milk, 2 tablespoons flour, and seasonings for a homemade condensed cream sauce.
Want to use different rice? Brown rice works but will need extra liquid and longer cooking time. Minute rice chicken and broccoli isn’t recommended as it gets mushy in this method.
Different vegetables? Try cauliflower, carrots, or green beans instead of broccoli. Just make sure they’re cut to similar sizes for even cooking.
Dairy-free option? Use dairy-free cheese and coconut milk instead of regular dairy products. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
Using chicken thighs? Chicken thighs broccoli rice cream of mushroom variation works beautifully! Just use boneless thighs and cream of mushroom soup for richer flavor.
Campbell’s version? Easy chicken broccoli rice casserole campbell’s style uses their condensed chicken soup prepared rice, chicken, broccoli combination for classic comfort.
Try our easy summer meals collection for more simple dinner ideas that won’t heat up your kitchen!
One Pan Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Variations
5 Ingredient Version – For a true 5 ingredient chicken broccoli casserole, just use chicken, rice, broccoli, cheese, and one can of cream soup. Simple but satisfying!
Pioneer Woman Style – The pioneer woman broccoli chicken rice casserole adds extra herbs and a buttered breadcrumb topping for that signature homestyle touch.
Mexican Twist – Add taco seasoning, black beans, and Mexican cheese blend for a south-of-the-border variation that’s absolutely delicious.
Mushroom Lovers – Use cream of mushroom soup and add fresh sliced mushrooms for an earthy, rich flavor profile.
Crispy Topped – Add a buttered Ritz cracker topping in the last 10 minutes of baking for extra crunch and flavor like dump and bake cheesy chicken and rice with broccoli.
Stir-Fry Style – For a chicken broccoli rice stir-fry variation, cook everything made in ONE POT on the stove in a large skillet instead of baking.
Essential Equipment
9×13 inch baking dish – This is the perfect size for this one pan cheesy chicken broccoli and rice that feeds a family of 6-8 people comfortably.
Large mixing bowl – You’ll need this to whisk together your sauce ingredients until completely smooth.
Sharp knife – For cutting chicken and chopping any fresh vegetables you’re adding to this chicken and broccoli bake.
Measuring cups and spoons – Accuracy is important for the rice-to-liquid ratio to ensure perfect texture every time.
Aluminum foil – Essential for covering during the first part of baking to ensure the rice cooks evenly.
Whisk – Helps create a smooth, lump-free sauce that distributes evenly throughout the casserole.
Storage Tips for One Pan Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Refrigerator storage – This easy chicken broccoli rice casserole in oven keeps beautifully for up to 4 days covered in the fridge. The flavors actually develop even more!
Freezing instructions – This is a fantastic freezer-friendly casserole! Freeze the assembled (but unbaked) dish for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking.
Reheating tips – Cover with foil and reheat at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
Make-ahead magic – Assemble the entire casserole up to 2 days ahead, then just pop it in the oven when ready. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Portion control – This recipe easily serves 6-8 people, making it perfect for family dinners or meal prep for the week.
Leftover ideas – Use leftovers as a filling for burritos or serve over fresh greens for a hearty salad that transforms the dish completely.
What to Serve With One Pan Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Simple side salad – A crisp green salad with vinaigrette provides a fresh contrast to this rich, creamy comfort food.
Garlic bread – Crusty garlic bread is perfect for soaking up any extra sauce and makes the meal feel more complete.
Roasted vegetables – Simple roasted carrots or green beans add color and extra nutrition to round out the plate.
Fresh fruit – Sliced apples or a fruit salad provides a light, refreshing finish to this hearty meal.
Dinner rolls – Warm, buttery rolls make this feel like a true family feast that everyone will remember.
More comfort food – Pair with our beefaroni recipe for a comfort food night that’ll satisfy everyone at the table.
International flavors – Try it with our saucy ramen noodles vegan recipe for an interesting fusion dinner experience.
Elegant options – Serve alongside our cowboy butter chicken linguine for a special occasion spread.
Grandma’s Secret for Perfect Results
“Always start with rice on the bottom so it absorbs all those wonderful flavors, sweetie! Cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes if making on stovetop first.”
FAQ for One Pan Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
What goes in chicken broccoli rice casserole?
The basic ingredients are chicken, rice, broccoli, cheese, and a creamy sauce (usually cream of chicken soup or homemade cream sauce). Some recipes add onions, garlic, and seasonings for extra flavor in this one pan chicken broccoli rice casserole allrecipes style.
Do you cook rice before putting it in a casserole?
No! For this recipe, you use uncooked rice that cooks directly in the casserole. The rice absorbs the liquid and flavors as it bakes, creating the perfect texture for this broccoli chicken and rice casserole.
How to make a chicken casserole from scratch?
Start with uncooked rice as your base, add raw or cooked chicken, pour over a mixture of broth and cream sauce, then bake covered until the rice is tender. Add vegetables and cheese in the final stages for this chicken rice broccoli casserole bake.
Do you have to cook broccoli before putting it in a casserole?
No pre-cooking required! Add fresh or frozen broccoli florets in the last 15 minutes of baking so they stay crisp-tender and maintain their bright color in this rice chicken broccoli casserole.
Conclusion
I truly hope this recipe helps you conquer those busy evenings and becomes your secret weapon for weeknight sanity. Having a go-to easy weeknight dinner like this means less time stressing in the kitchen and more time enjoying your family around the table. A delicious meal that guarantees an easy cleanup is a win in my book every time! Grandma always believed that the best family meals were the ones that brought people together without wearing out the cook, and this casserole embodies that wisdom perfectly.
What are your favorite strategies for making weeknight dinners less stressful? I’d love to hear about the recipes that save your sanity during hectic weeks! And if you’re looking for more creative ways to enjoy rice and vegetables, check out this broccoli rice casserole that takes the combination in a deliciously different direction.
May this comforting casserole become your Monday night hero, bringing your family together around the table with minimal stress and maximum satisfaction.
One Pan Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Equipment
- 1 9×13-inch baking dish Grease before using
- 1 Large mixing bowl For combining sauce ingredients
- 1 Whisk Helps smooth the sauce
- 1 Foil Covers dish for first bake
- 1 Sharp knife For chopping chicken or broccoli
Ingredients
- 2 cups Long-grain white rice Uncooked
- 3 cups Shredded cooked chicken Rotisserie preferred
- 3 cups Fresh or frozen broccoli Florets, no need to pre-cook
- 2 cups Shredded cheddar cheese Sharp cheddar is best
- 1 can can Cream of chicken soup (10.5 oz) Can substitute homemade
- 2 cups Chicken broth Low-sodium preferred
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt Adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper Fresh cracked if possible
- 2 tbsp Butter Optional, for richer flavor
- 1/2 cup Crushed Ritz crackers Optional topping
Instructions
- Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Grandma always said a hot oven gives the cheese its bubbly soul.
- Layer uncooked [rice] across the bottom of your dish. Grandma insisted it soak up every last bit of flavor.
- Spread the [shredded chicken] evenly. I always use rotisserie, Grandma’s shortcut after a Sunday roast.
- In your [mixing bowl], whisk [chicken broth], [cream of chicken soup], [garlic powder], [onion powder], [salt], and [pepper] until smooth.
- Pour sauce over the rice and chicken. Cover with [foil] and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
- Remove foil. Stir in [broccoli], sprinkle with [cheddar cheese], and bake uncovered 10–15 minutes more.
- For crunch, mix [crackers] with melted [butter] and sprinkle on top for the last 5 minutes.
- Let rest 5 minutes. As Grandma said, “Flavors need a moment to marry.”
Notes
- For a healthier version, use brown rice and a homemade cream sauce.
- Frozen broccoli works just fine, no thawing needed.
- Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days.
- Assemble ahead and freeze unbaked. Thaw before baking.
- Grandma’s favorite swap: cheddar + crushed crackers = instant crowd-pleaser.
