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A close-up spoonful of cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole, showing the creamy texture with chunks of chicken and broccoli.
FL Recipes

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole: The Ultimate Creamy & Cheesy Recipe

This from-scratch Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! Made with a creamy homemade cheese sauce (no canned soup!), tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a crunchy Ritz cracker topping, it's a guaranteed family favorite.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Casserole
  • 4 cups cooked chicken shredded or cubed
  • 4 cups fresh broccoli florets lightly steamed
  • 3 cups cooked long-grain white rice
  • 1/2 cup butter unsalted
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated, divided
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Topping (Optional)
  • 1 cup Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs crushed
  • 2 tbsp butter melted

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
  • 1 Large saucepan or Dutch oven
  • 1 Whisk

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute. Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth until smooth. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens (about 5-7 minutes).
  3. Remove from heat. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Gradually add 2 cups of shredded cheddar, stirring until completely melted.
  4. Add the cooked chicken, rice, and steamed broccoli to the cheese sauce. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
  6. In a small bowl, combine the crushed crackers/panko with 2 tbsp melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the cheese.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until hot, bubbly, and golden brown. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcalProtein: 30gFat: 28gFiber: 2g

Notes

Grate Your Own Cheese: For the creamiest sauce, avoid pre-shredded cheese.
Don't Overcook Broccoli: Steam it until it's just crisp-tender; it will finish cooking in the oven.
Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the casserole without the topping, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Keyword casserole from scratch,cheesy chicken and rice,chicken broccoli rice casserole

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