Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is pure cozy comfort in a dish—creamy, cheesy, packed with tender chicken and broccoli, and finished with a buttery Ritz cracker topping that everyone fights over. It’s an easy weeknight dinner, a freezer-friendly meal prep favorite, and hands down one of my most requested casseroles by family and friends.

Why You’ll Love This Casserole

• Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor
• Perfect for make-ahead or freezer meals
• Simple pantry staples
• Kid-approved and picky-eater friendly

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into this warm, cheesy casserole:

• Butter – For cooking and that crispy topping.
• Chicken breasts – Or use rotisserie to make things even easier.
• Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper – For flavor.
• Olive oil – For browning the chicken.
• Chicken broth – Cook your rice in it for extra flavor.
• Long grain white rice – Skip the minute rice; this gives a better texture.
• Broccoli florets – Fresh or frozen both work (see tips below).
• Condensed cream of chicken soup – Homemade or canned.
• Milk – Any kind will do.
• Sour cream – Adds creaminess (or sub mayo if you prefer).
• Shredded cheddar cheese – The sharper, the better. Shred it yourself for best melt.

Topping:

• Ritz crackers – Crushed and buttery for that irresistible crunch.
• Butter – Melted and mixed into the cracker topping.

Tip: Use unsalted butter and low-sodium broth to better control the salt.

How to Make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

1. Cook the chicken – Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then cook it in olive oil until golden and cooked through. Dice or shred once slightly cooled.
2. Cook the rice – Simmer long grain white rice in chicken broth for more flavor. Avoid using minute rice—it turns mushy.
3. Blanch or steam the broccoli – If using frozen broccoli, thaw and pat it dry. If using fresh, steam it just a bit to soften.
4. Mix the base – In a large bowl, stir together the soup, milk, sour cream, cheese, cooked rice, chicken, and broccoli.
5. Transfer and bake – Spread the mixture into a greased 9×13 casserole dish. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
6. Add the topping – Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter and sprinkle over the top. Return to the oven uncovered for another 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Tips & Variations

• Use rotisserie chicken – Save time and make it extra easy. Use about 2 cups, and go for low-sodium broth if your chicken is already seasoned.
• Homemade soup option – Skip the can and make your own condensed cream of chicken soup in 15 minutes.
• Try other soups – Cream of mushroom, cheddar cheese, or cream of broccoli also work great.
• Mix in extra veggies – Cauliflower, peas, or mushrooms all play well here.

Make-Ahead & Freezer Tips

This casserole is a freezer hero! Here’s how to prep it ahead:

Make-Ahead (Fridge):

• Assemble everything except the topping and store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Let it sit at room temp for 30 minutes before baking.
• Add 15 minutes to bake time and add topping in the last 10 minutes.

Freezer Instructions:

• Assemble the casserole (without baking) and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours, let sit out for 30 minutes, then bake as directed.
• Add Ritz topping toward the end for best texture.

How to Store Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Freeze fully cooked portions or uncooked casserole up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Microwave individual portions or bake at 350°F to re-crisp the topping.

What to Serve With It

This casserole is a full meal on its own, but if you’re feeding a crowd or want to stretch it a little further, try it with:

• Garlic bread or dinner rolls
• A simple green salad
• Roasted carrots or green beans

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is exactly what comfort food should be—easy, cozy, and always satisfying. It’s a freezer-friendly favorite that comes through when you need a make-ahead meal or just want something that’ll make everyone at the table happy. Give it a try, and don’t be surprised if it ends up on regular rotation!

Also try these Chicken recipe:-

• Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki

• Chicken and Wild Rice

• Chicken Katsu