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Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe

4.5 from 80 reviews

This Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole is a comforting, cheesy baked dish perfect for family dinners. It combines tender rotisserie chicken, fluffy rice, nutritious broccoli, and a creamy sauce made with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and a blend of flavorful seasonings. Topped with crunchy buttery Cheez-Its and melted cheeses, this casserole offers a delightful texture contrast and a rich, satisfying taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 rotisserie chicken, chopped
  • 1 ¼ cups uncooked long grain rice
  • 23 cups frozen broccoli florets, defrosted and cut into smaller pieces
  • 1 cup freshly shredded colby jack cheese
  • 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 10.5 oz can condensed cream of chicken soup
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 2 ½ tsp Better Than Bouillon roasted chicken base
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted
  • 2 cups Cheez-Its, crushed

Seasonings

  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Tony’s Creole seasoning
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Cook Rice: Prepare the long grain rice according to the package directions until fully cooked and fluffy.
  2. Prepare Baking Dish: Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  3. Add Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice: Place the chopped rotisserie chicken, defrosted and chopped broccoli, cooked rice, salt, and cracked black pepper into the prepared baking dish and mix lightly.
  4. Make Broth Base: In a large bowl, combine the hot water and Better Than Bouillon roasted chicken base. Stir thoroughly until fully dissolved.
  5. Add Creamy Sauce Ingredients: To the same bowl, add condensed cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, Tony’s Creole seasoning, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
  6. Whisk Sauce: Whisk all sauce ingredients together until completely combined and smooth.
  7. Combine Sauce and Baking Dish Contents: Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken, broccoli, and rice mixture in the baking dish. Stir gently to incorporate everything evenly.
  8. Top with Colby Jack Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded colby jack cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
  9. Bake First Stage: Bake the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and cheese melt.
  10. Prepare Crust Topping: While baking, mix crushed Cheez-Its with melted butter in a small bowl until well combined.
  11. Add Crust and Continue Baking: After the initial 30 minutes, remove the casserole from the oven and evenly sprinkle the buttery crushed Cheez-Its on top. Return the casserole to the oven.
  12. Bake Final Stage: Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the topping is golden and crispy.
  13. Rest Before Serving: Let the casserole set for 5 minutes outside the oven to firm up for easier serving. Enjoy warm!

Notes

  • You can substitute fresh broccoli if preferred, just steam it lightly before adding.
  • Use leftover rotisserie chicken or any cooked chicken for convenience.
  • If you prefer less salt, adjust seasoning or use a low-sodium bouillon paste.
  • The crushed Cheez-Its topping gives a unique cheesy crunch; substitute with breadcrumbs if unavailable.
  • Make sure to let the casserole rest after baking to allow it to settle and slice better.

Keywords: broccoli chicken rice casserole, cheesy chicken casserole, baked chicken and rice, rotisserie chicken casserole, easy dinner casserole, Cheez-Its topping casserole