★★★★★ 309 reviews · This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole includes Campbell’s Soup, flavorful rice cooked in chicken broth, and a buttery, crunchy Ritz topping. Cook up some fresh chicken or use Rotisserie! #chicken #dinner #casserole #rice
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- Salt/Pepper, to taste
- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth, low sodium
- 1 1/4 cups white long grain rice, uncooked
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets, uncooked
- 10.75 oz. Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, separated
Casserole Topping
- 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
- 2 Tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with Italian seasoning and desired amount of salt and pepper.
Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium heat until melted. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside. Note: This step is not needed if using a cooked rotisserie chicken.
Add the chicken broth and rice to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cover tightly for 7 minutes.
Remove the lid and use a silicone spatula to give it a stir and loosen it from the bottom. Add the broccoli florets and replace the lid. Cook for more 8 minutes.
Stir the rice/broccoli and turn the heat off. Add the cooked chicken, soup, milk, sour cream, and half of the cheddar cheese.
Lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish and pour in the rice mixture.
Top with remaining cheddar cheese.
Cover and bake for 20 minutes.
Add the Topping:
Melt the butter and crumble up the crackers. Combine to form the topping for the casserole.
Top the casserole with the crumbled cracker topping and bake uncovered for 10 additional minutes.
Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes prior to serving.
Notes
Using a 16oz. bag of frozen broccoli (and/or cauliflower) is a perfect alternative to fresh broccoli. Just be sure you thaw and pat it dry!
Frozen broccoli is already blanched so you don't need to cook it prior to mixing the casserole together.
Make-Ahead Method
This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 2 days prior to baking.
If prepared 2 days in advance, it should be used within 1-2 days.
The cracker/butter topping should be made when you bake the casserole and not prepared ahead of time.
Nutrition
Calories: 418kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 27g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Cholesterol: 89mg, Sodium: 780mg, Potassium: 279mg, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 750IU, Vitamin C: 0.7mg, Calcium: 344mg, Iron: 1.5mg
