Description

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish made with tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, creamy cheese, and a crispy Ritz cracker topping. It’s a satisfying all-in-one meal that’s quick and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons butter

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken

1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 1/4 cups white long grain rice, uncooked

2–3 cups fresh broccoli florets, uncooked

10.5 oz. Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup sour cream

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, separated

Optional Seasonings

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed

2 Tablespoons melted butter

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. If using rotisserie chicken, skip this step and add it in later.
Add the chicken broth, olive oil, and rice to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover tightly and cook for 6 minutes.
Add the broccoli and cover again. Cook for another 9 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. If the rice isn’t fully cooked, quickly re-cover the pot and simmer for 5 more minutes.
Remove the pot from heat and let it stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Do not stir—this allows the rice to fully cook and releases any rice stuck to the bottom.
Add the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, optional seasonings, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese to the pot. Stir gently to combine.
Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese.
Cover and bake for 15 minutes.
While baking, melt the butter and crush the Ritz crackers. Mix together to form the casserole topping.
After 15 minutes of baking, remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the Ritz cracker topping evenly over the dish. Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Rotisserie chicken: For a quicker version, use 2 cups of pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
Vegetable variations: You can swap out the broccoli for cauliflower or peas.
Low-fat option: Substitute sour cream and cream of chicken soup with their low-fat versions.
Extra cheesy: Add more shredded cheese or sprinkle some over the Ritz topping for a cheesier casserole.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 400
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 33g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 70mg