Introduction
Oh, the memories! Growing up, a steaming dish of Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole was the ultimate comfort food. It was the kind of meal that warmed you from the inside out, perfect for chilly evenings or after a long day. And the best part? It’s surprisingly simple to make! Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out in the kitchen, this recipe is a total winner. It’s that magical blend of creamy, cheesy goodness with tender chicken and vibrant broccoli, all topped with a delightful crunch. Get ready to create some new comfort food memories!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: With a few shortcuts, you can have this on the table in under an hour.
- Easy: Seriously, you just mix and bake! No fancy techniques required.
- Giftable: Make it ahead and share it with a neighbor, friend going through a tough time, or a new parent. It’s a hug in a baking dish!
- Crowd-pleasing: Picky eaters and grown-ups alike will devour this. It’s a guaranteed hit for family dinners or potlucks.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is half the fun, right? Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this comforting casserole:
- 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken or other cooked chicken: This is my secret weapon for a super-quick casserole. Grab a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and shred or dice it up – it saves so much time!
- 2 cups broccoli florets, broken into bite-sized pieces: Fresh is great, but you can totally use frozen broccoli florets too. Just make sure to thaw and drain them well.
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup (low-sodium or Healthy Request recommended): This is the creamy base of our casserole. Using a low-sodium option is a nice touch if you’re watching your salt intake.
- 2 cups cooked rice: Leftover rice is perfect here! White rice, brown rice, basmati – they all work beautifully.
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Colby Jack blend are all fantastic choices. Cheese makes everything better!
- ½ cup mayonnaise: Don’t shy away from this! It adds a wonderful creaminess and richness that binds everything together.
- ½ – ¾ cup crushed corn flakes: These are our crunchy topping heroes! You can crush them in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin or pulse them a few times in a food processor.
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted: This is what makes our corn flake topping perfectly golden and toasty.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get cooking! This is so straightforward, you’ll be amazed.
- Preheat your oven: Get that oven fired up to 375°F (190°C). Make sure you have your 9×13 inch baking dish greased or lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
- Mix it all up: Grab a big ol’ bowl. Toss in your diced chicken, broccoli florets, cream of chicken soup, cooked rice, shredded cheese, and mayonnaise. Stir everything together until it’s all nice and combined. I like to give it a good mix to make sure all those yummy flavors get to know each other.
- Into the dish it goes: Pour that glorious mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
- Crunchy topping time: In a separate, smaller bowl, combine the crushed corn flakes and the melted butter. Give it a little stir to coat those flakes. Now, sprinkle this crunchy goodness evenly over the top of the casserole. I like to make sure the whole surface is covered for maximum crunch!
- Bake to perfection: Pop that baking dish into your preheated oven. Let it bake for about 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the casserole is bubbling hot all the way through and that corn flake topping is a beautiful golden brown.
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also a wonderful canvas for your culinary creativity! Here are a few ideas:
- Veggies: Feeling extra healthy? Add in some frozen peas (thawed and drained), diced carrots, or even some sautéed mushrooms.
- Cheese: Want a flavor boost? Try a sharp cheddar, some Gruyere, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top along with the corn flakes.
- Creaminess: If you’re feeling fancy, you can substitute half of the cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom soup for a different flavor profile, or even use a can of condensed milk for an extra decadent touch.
- Crunch: Not a fan of corn flakes? Crushed Ritz crackers or even panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter also make a delicious crunchy topping.
Tips for Success
Here are a few of my personal tips to ensure your casserole turns out perfectly every time:
- Don’t overcook the rice: If you’re using leftover rice, make sure it’s not mushy to begin with. Firm, separate grains are best.
- Drain frozen broccoli: If you use frozen broccoli, make sure to thaw and drain it very well to prevent the casserole from becoming watery.
- Uniform pieces: Try to cut your chicken and broccoli into similarly sized pieces so they cook evenly and are easy to eat together in one bite.
- Prep ahead: You can assemble the entire casserole (before adding the corn flake topping) up to a day in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before adding the topping and baking. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
How to Store It
Leftovers are the best, aren’t they? This casserole stores wonderfully!
Once cooled, store any leftover Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions or reheat the whole dish in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. If you’re reheating a larger portion in the oven, you might want to cover it with foil to prevent the topping from getting too dark.
FAQs
Can I use raw chicken?
While this recipe is designed for pre-cooked chicken to make it quick, you could use raw chicken. You would need to dice it very small and ensure it’s fully cooked before mixing it with the other ingredients. However, for the speed and ease of this recipe, rotisserie chicken is definitely the way to go!
Can I make this dairy-free or gluten-free?
Yes! For dairy-free, you’d need to find dairy-free cheese alternatives and a dairy-free cream soup substitute. For gluten-free, look for gluten-free cream of chicken soup and ensure your rice is naturally gluten-free. The corn flakes would need to be replaced with a gluten-free crunchy topping like gluten-free breadcrumbs or even crispy fried onions (check their labels!).
My topping isn’t crispy enough. What did I do wrong?
Make sure you are using enough butter to coat the corn flakes. Also, ensure your oven is at the correct temperature and that the casserole bakes for the full recommended time. Sometimes, if the casserole is very wet, it can steam the topping instead of letting it crisp. Draining any excess liquid from your ingredients (like broccoli) can help!
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking dish Greased or lightly sprayed with cooking spray
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
- Oven Preheated to 375°F (190°C)
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken or other cooked chicken shredded or diced
- 2 cups broccoli florets fresh or frozen (thawed and drained)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup low-sodium or Healthy Request recommended
- 2 cups cooked rice leftover rice is perfect; white, brown, or basmati
- 1.5 cups shredded cheese cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack blend
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise
Topping
- 0.5 cup crushed corn flakes crushed in a zip-top bag or food processor
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease or spray a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine diced chicken, broccoli florets, cream of chicken soup, cooked rice, shredded cheese, and mayonnaise. Stir until well combined.2 cups diced rotisserie chicken or other cooked chicken
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- In a separate small bowl, combine crushed corn flakes and melted butter. Stir to coat the flakes.2 cups diced rotisserie chicken or other cooked chicken
- Sprinkle the corn flake mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.2 cups diced rotisserie chicken or other cooked chicken
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling hot and the topping is golden brown.