Description
This comforting Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a creamy, cheesy dish perfect for a family dinner. Made with tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, creamy soups, Velveeta, and cheddar cheese, it blends fluffy rice and rich flavors baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Protein
- 1 pound frozen broccoli
- 3 cups diced, cooked chicken
Dairy & Cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, chopped into very small pieces
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Canned & Packaged
- 10 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 3 1/2 cups cooked white rice
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking during baking.
- Cook broccoli: Cook the frozen broccoli according to the package instructions, usually by steaming or microwaving. Once cooked, drain any excess liquid thoroughly. Transfer the hot broccoli to a cutting board and chop it slightly to create smaller, bite-sized pieces for better texture in the casserole.
- Mix creamy base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked broccoli with the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and chopped Velveeta cheese. Stir well until these ingredients are evenly blended into a creamy mixture.
- Add main ingredients and seasonings: Add the cooked white rice, diced cooked chicken, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cracked pepper to the bowl. Stir again to evenly distribute all ingredients throughout the mixture.
- Taste and adjust seasoning: Sample the mixture and adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings if desired. If your chicken was unseasoned, you may want to add a bit more seasoning to enhance flavor.
- Assemble casserole: Spoon the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Then sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. This helps the casserole heat through and the flavors to meld.
- Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil from the dish and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes to melt and slightly brown the cheddar cheese topping.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and serve immediately while hot and melty for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can use fresh broccoli if preferred; just steam until tender before chopping.
- If you want a lighter version, substitute low-fat sour cream or use a reduced-fat cheese.
- Leftover cooked chicken works perfectly and saves time.
- To make the casserole spicier, consider adding a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika.
- Ensure rice is fully cooked before mixing to avoid a crunchy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken casserole, broccoli rice casserole, creamy chicken casserole, baked chicken dish, family dinner recipe
