This Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Rice Bake is about to become your new weeknight hero.
It’s a delicious and healthy baked chicken and broccoli casserole, perfect for those busy evenings when you need a comforting meal on the table fast. With tender chicken thighs and wholesome broccoli, this recipe delivers on flavor and ease, making it a family favorite everyone will love.
Forget complicated steps or endless prep; this dish is designed for maximum taste with minimal fuss. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table, eager for a second helping, and leaves you feeling good about what you’ve served.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Bake
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Description
This Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Rice Bake is a delicious and healthy baked chicken and broccoli casserole, perfect for busy weeknights. With tender chicken thighs and wholesome broccoli, this recipe delivers on flavor and ease, making it a family favorite everyone will love. It combines familiar, comforting flavors in a convenient one-dish format, with a cheesy sauce binding everything together for a balanced and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little olive oil.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, milk, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until smooth. This forms the creamy base of your casserole.
4. To the bowl with the sauce, add the cooked rice, cooked chicken, broccoli florets, and 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir everything gently until all ingredients are well combined and coated in the sauce.
5. Pour the entire mixture into your prepared 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
6. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden brown. The chicken should be cooked through, and the broccoli tender-crisp.
7. Once out of the oven, let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly, making it easier to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: chicken, broccoli, casserole, rice, cheesy, bake, weeknight, comfort food, easy, family friendly
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This recipe is a true winner for so many reasons, making it an ideal choice for busy families, new cooks, or anyone looking for a satisfying meal without the stress. It works because it combines familiar, comforting flavors in a convenient one-dish format. The cheesy sauce binds everything together, ensuring every bite is packed with goodness, and the tender chicken and vibrant broccoli provide a balanced meal. It’s perfect for those weeknights when you’re short on time but still want to serve something homemade and nourishing. This bake is also fantastic for meal prepping, as it reheats beautifully, making lunches for the next day a breeze. It’s a dish that appeals to a wide range of palates, from picky eaters to adults, making it a reliable staple in your dinner rotation.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Rice Bake is straightforward. Most items are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store. We’re focusing on fresh, wholesome ingredients that come together to create a rich and satisfying casserole. Don’t worry about exotic spices or hard-to-find produce; simplicity is key here, ensuring you can whip this up without a special trip to a gourmet market.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups cooked white rice (day-old or leftover is best)
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into small pieces
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk (any kind works, whole or 2%)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the thighs if that’s what you have on hand, though thighs tend to stay a bit more moist in a bake. If fresh broccoli isn’t available, frozen broccoli florets can be used; just make sure to thaw them and drain any excess water before adding to the dish. Feel free to experiment with other condensed cream soups like cream of mushroom or cream of celery if you prefer a different flavor profile. For the cheese, a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack or even a sharp provolone would also be delicious, adding a different dimension to the cheesiness. You can also use brown rice instead of white rice for added fiber, just ensure it’s cooked beforehand.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Rice Bake is designed to be a quick and efficient meal, perfect for busy schedules.
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 25-30 minutes Total Time: 40-45 minutes
These times are based on having your rice already cooked. If you need to cook your rice from scratch, factor in an additional 15-20 minutes for that step. The beauty of this recipe is how quickly it comes together once your ingredients are prepped, allowing you to get a wholesome dinner on the table without feeling rushed.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this comforting Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Rice Bake is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a perfect casserole every time.
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little olive oil. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Cook the Chicken and Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. You don’t need to cook it all the way through, as it will finish baking in the oven. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Combine the Sauce Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup, milk, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until smooth. This forms the creamy base of your casserole.
- Assemble the Casserole: To the bowl with the sauce, add the cooked rice, cooked chicken, broccoli florets, and 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir everything gently until all ingredients are well combined and coated in the sauce.
- Transfer and Top: Pour the entire mixture into your prepared 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Bake Until Bubbly and Golden: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden brown. The chicken should be cooked through, and the broccoli tender-crisp.
- Rest and Serve: Once out of the oven, let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly, making it easier to serve.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Rice Bake is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can finely chop the broccoli florets even smaller, or even steam them briefly before adding to the mix if your children prefer their veggies extra soft. You could also add a handful of frozen peas or corn to the mixture for extra color and sweetness that kids often enjoy.
If you’re looking to change up the flavor profile, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce mixture for a little kick. For a heartier meal, you can stir in some cooked, crumbled bacon or diced ham along with the chicken. To make it a bit more gourmet for a casual dinner party, consider topping the casserole with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and melted butter during the last 10 minutes of baking for a crispy crust.
This bake is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad dressed with a vinaigrette to add some freshness. A side of crusty bread or garlic knots is also a great option for soaking up all that delicious cheesy sauce. For a buffet or potluck, this casserole travels well and is always a crowd-pleaser; just make sure to keep it warm.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have a few common pitfalls that can be easily avoided with a little awareness. One frequent mistake is overcooking the chicken in the initial browning step. Remember, you’re just browning it to add flavor and texture; it will finish cooking in the oven. If you cook it through completely at the start, it can become dry in the final bake. Aim for a light golden-brown exterior.
Another common issue is using too much liquid if you’re substituting ingredients. If you use fresh, uncooked broccoli, it will release some water as it bakes. If using frozen broccoli, ensure it’s thoroughly thawed and squeezed dry to prevent a watery casserole. Similarly, if you opt for a thinner milk or broth, the sauce might be less creamy than desired. Stick to the specified amounts for the best consistency.
Not seasoning enough can also lead to a bland dish. Don’t be shy with the salt and pepper, and taste your sauce mixture before adding the rice and chicken to ensure it’s seasoned to your liking. Remember, rice and broccoli can absorb a lot of flavor, so a well-seasoned sauce is crucial.
Finally, not letting the casserole rest after baking is a common oversight. While tempting to dig in immediately, allowing it to sit for 5-10 minutes helps the sauce thicken and set, making for cleaner, more cohesive servings. If you cut into it too soon, it can be a bit soupy.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Rice Bake is fantastic for leftovers and can be prepared ahead of time, making your weeknights even smoother.
Storing Leftovers: Once the casserole has cooled completely, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer individual portions to airtight containers. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
