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Chicken broccoli rice casserole is a comforting one-pot stove-top dinner with lean chicken breast, fresh broccoli, and tender rice. It's quick, easy, a little cheesy, and great for weeknights.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy 30-minute recipe for any cooking level.
- Requires NO oven, so it's great for any season.
- Proves that lean chicken breast can be juicy and tender, even in casserole.
- Made with real ingredients, so there is no soup needed.
- Make it a cheesy chicken broccoli casserole or make it with no cheese.
- Customize the ingredients with recipe variations.
- Makes THE BEST leftovers. You'll see!
This chicken, broccoli, and rice casserole is a no-fail option when we're meal planning easy dinner ideas for the week. A few simple ingredients and minimal prep turns out a delicious, comforting, stove-top casserole in 30 minutes. It's perfect with a side of mushrooms.
Ingredient notes
- olive oil - I prefer extra virgin olive oil for a heart-healthy option. But, any fat can be used to sauté the chicken and the aromatics.
- boneless skinless chicken breasts - High in protein and low in fat, this is a preferred chicken cut for a healthy option in certain diets.
- onions - These add flavor, texture, and volume to the dish.
- garlic cloves - Fresh garlic is always my first choice – and the more the merrier. Granulated garlic can be used in smaller amounts.
- uncooked long grain rice - Use any long grain rice. No need to rinse because the starch makes the rice creamy, similar to risotto.
- chicken broth - I recommend reduced-sodium variety because you can always adjust salt later in the recipe.
- milk - Any dairy liquid will work and it doesn't need to be full fat. In fact, a lower fat milk can be a healthy choice for certain diets.
- salt and pepper - Essential to any recipe to bring out flavors of each ingredients.
- broccoli - Packed with nutrients and delicious with chicken and rice. I prefer fresh broccoli over frozen with this recipe for texture and flavor.
- cheddar cheese - Use as much or as little as you want. Kids love cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole. It's comforting even with no cheese, which is how I originally made this recipe.
- (optional) fresh parsley - This is how I finish every dish with a pop of color and flavor.
How to make this recipe
In just a few steps, this recipe turns broccoli, chicken, and rice into a comforting casserole everyone loves. Enjoy the step-by-step abbreviated instructions or skip down to get the full, printable recipe.
Step 1. Cut chicken breast into cubes and season. Heat olive oil and sauté chicken just until cooked through. Transfer chicken out of skillet, cover, and set aside.
Step 2. Sauté onions and garlic in remaining olive oil. If needed, add a splash of broth to deglaze the browned bits off the surface. Add rice and sauté a few minutes to toast.
Step 3. Stir in milk, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring just to a boil, stirring as needed. Cover and simmer 10 minutes.
Step 4. Open lid and scatter broccoli and chicken over rice without stirring it. Cover and simmer an additional 10 minutes. Remove from heat and sprinkle cheddar cheese over the surface. Or make it with no cheese, if desired. Cover and rest 5 minutes, or until cheese melts.
Serve warm garnished with chopped parsley and devour! I'm sure this will become your family's new favorite skillet recipe.
Recipe tips
- If using frozen broccoli, thaw completely before using. I prefer fresh broccoli because you can cook it to your preferred texture.
- If using rotisserie chicken or shredded chicken breast, simply use it in place of the sautéed chicken near the end of the recipe.
- If you're looking for my original version of healthy chicken broccoli and rice casserole, simply omit the cheddar cheese.
Recipe variations
- Substitute a shallot for the onion to create a sweeter, more delicate onion flavor.
- Add a splash of white wine to the sauteed onions to brighten the savory flavors.
- If dairy ingredients aren't an option, such as milk and cheese, substitute an unsweetened non-dairy milk and omit the cheese.
- Brown rice can be used, but it requires more liquid and more cook time. So, please substitute at your discretion.
- Add regional flavors to this casserole using seasoning blends, such as Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or taco seasoning.
- A dollop of pesto will add a delicious basil flavor to this entree.
- Add grated Parmesan or crumbled feta for a strong flavor profile.
Recommended weeknight dinners
- Pressure Cooker Chicken Alfredo
- Chicken Shepherd's Pie
- Baked Chicken Drumsticks
- Chicken Burrito Bowl
📖 Recipe
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
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When scaling the recipe 2x or 3x, the gray ingredient note stays the same. Adjust quantities accordingly.
Ingredients
- 2 (½-pound) Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, plus salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided
- 1 Onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Uncooked Long Grain Rice, don't rinse
- 1 ½ cups Milk, any fat variety
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 4 cups Fresh Broccoli, chopped (about ½ pound)
- ½ cup Shredded Cheddar (4 ounces), or more as needed
Optional garnish
- Fresh Parsley, as needed
Instructions
- Cut CHICKEN BREASTS into bite-sized pieces. Generously season with SALT and PEPPER.
- Set skillet over medium-high heat and heat half of OLIVE OIL.
- Add chicken to skillet and sauté 5 minutes, or just until cooked through. Do not overcook, especially if you like juicy chicken.
- Transfer chicken out of the skillet, cover, and set aside.
- Heat remaining OLIVE OIL in the skillet.
- Add ONIONS and GARLIC. Sauté about 3 minutes until tender and golden brown, stirring as needed.
- Add RICE and sauté a few minutes to toast, stirring as needed.
- Stir in MILK, CHICKEN BROTH, SALT, and PEPPER. Increase heat and bring just to a boil, stirring as needed.Note: If fork-tender broccoli is preferred, add the broccoli to the skillet now, otherwise, add it in step 10.
- Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 10 minutes.
- Carefully open the lid and scatter BROCCOLI and CHICKEN over the rice without stirring it.
- Cover and simmer an additional 10 minutes.
- Carefully open the lid and confirm that the rice is fully cooked, the broccoli is tender, and the chicken is warmed through.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle CHEDDAR CHEESE over the surface.
- Cover and rest a few minutes to melt the cheese.
- Serve warm garnished with FRESH PARSLEY.
Equipment
- 12-inch skillet with lid or dutch oven
Recipe Notes
- If using frozen broccoli, thaw completely before using. I prefer fresh broccoli because you can cook it to your preferred texture.
- If using rotisserie chicken or shredded chicken breast, simply use it in place of the sautéed chicken near the end of the recipe.
- If you're looking for my original version of healthy chicken broccoli and rice casserole, simply omit the cheddar cheese.
- Check out the recipe variations too!
- To store, cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container up to five days or freeze up to 30 days, or longer if vacuum sealed.
- To reheat, add a few splashes of milk or broth and heat over medium-high heat, stirring as needed.
Jean says
This was delicious, but since there are only two of us way too much food! If I cut recipe in half next time would the cooking times be the same you think?
Traci says
Hi Jean, this recipe only yields 6 cups, but you're welcome to divide the ingredients in half. If you do, the cooking times will be the same and I recommend using no larger than a 2-quart saucepan for your 3-cup yield. Let me know if you have any more questions. Thanks and enjoy!
Jaybee says
Yum! The rice really is creamy and the broccoli and chicken are perfectly cooked. Usually casseroles are kind of 'mushy' but this one is just right. I've had it 2 nights in a row and the leftovers really are outstanding. Thanks for sharing this one!
Jaybee says
Hi. Me again. Leftovers on day 3 are still bomb-delicious! Adding milk per recipe instructions was on point. I just love the simplicity, texture, flavor, and how easy it is to make. Ok bye and thanks again!
Traci says
I'm so glad you love this one 🙂 And I totally agree about the texture ... even with the leftovers. No mushy texture happening here. Hooray for one pot dinner! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Bridget says
My partner has been having stomach issues and needed something comforting and easy to digest without being.... boring. Very happy I found this recipe. We swapped out the milk for almond milk and added some nutritional yeast for an almost cheese vibe since dairy has been a no-go and it was just perfect. Easy, filling, comforting, healthy. Oh! we added peas as well 👌👌👌
Traci says
Awww I love this so much! Makes my day that you found this and it worked for your needs. It's a favorite of ours as well 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback. Much appreciated!
Joy says
My mother and I both enjoyed this recipe a lot, and I have enough for lunch to carry me through the next 3 days. Thank you so much for sharing it. I do want to let you know it is possible to make this with brown basmati rice. Follow the directions as written up until step 5, where you will put your liquid in and then extend the time you cook it with the lid on from 10 minutes to about 30 - 35 minutes. Put your broccoli and shredded chicken in, then put the lid back on for another 10 minutes to cook the broccoli and heat the chicken. It worked wonderfully for me and it adds a nice nutty flavour, and is a bit chewier than the white, but I love it.
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome!! Yes, I'll have to adapt the recipe to include brown rice once I try it out. Thanks for sharing and glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
Beth says
Super easy and turned out delicious.
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Beth! So glad you enjoyed this recipe. We're big fans too 🙂 Thanks for the review!
Jacqueline says
This looks delicious and perfect for an easy dinner! Can’t wait to make it!
Side note: if we’re using Recently frozen- freshly thawed out chicken, what adjustments should I be making?
Thank you, still learning how to cook! Lol
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Jacqueline! To answer your question, I need to know ... are you referring to uncooked or cooked chicken?
Jacqueline says
Uncooked chicken 🙂
The Kitchen Girl says
Ok, no changes needed. You can follow the recipe as it is written. Let me know if you have further questions. Thanks and enjoy!
Christine says
My hubs and I are dieting and have been sticking to chicken rice and broccoli. We’ve gotten so bored of it. Well this is the same thing we’ve been eating, but some how this recipe has made it amazing! It really spiced it up and tasted delicious!!! Thank you for giving another yummy recipe to make healthy eating more exciting 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
Yay Christine! This makes me so happy...we LOVE this recipe too. Pretty sure my other half feels so very accomplished when he makes this because it's an easy recipe that's hard to mess up...it always turns out 🙂 Thanks again!
Rebecca says
Loved it. I added a couple big scoops of greek yogurt. Omg, amazing.
Traci Antonovich says
Awesome, Rebecca! So glad you enjoyed it and I love the addition! That sounds like something right out of my playbook lol. Thanks again!
Joanne says
This has some of my favorite ingredients. So I know I will like it. Have some rotisserie chicken frozen. Will make it this week. Just used up my broccoli. So a trip to store needed. Thanks for all you do!!!
Traci Antonovich says
Awww, you're so welcome, Joanne! Thank YOU for appreciating 🙂 Enjoy this recipe...it's one of our favs!!!
JB says
Made this chicken broccoli rice dish tonight. Quick, easy recipe saved us from not planning dinner. We added a little milk at the end before serving to make it extra creamy. Excellent! Can't wait for leftovers.
Traci Antonovich says
Awesome JB! So glad you enjoyed it! It really does solve the "what's for dinner?" problem fast!
Krissy says
I just love a good one dish meal and this did NOT disappoint.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Krissy! Lovvvve hearing that...we always have the same experience with this recipe 🙂
Andrea says
This looks fantastic and I think the addition of milk is a great idea.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Andrea! Yep, milk works just as well as cream 🙂
susan says
This looks soooo easy and delicious! Perfect weeknight dinner for my family!!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Susan! Love hearing that 🙂
Dannii says
I think my husband would love this as an extra gym meal. It looks nice and filling.
Traci Antonovich says
Awesome Dannii! It IS the perfect gym meal. Hope he loves it! 🙂
Shadi says
love how easy this recipe is! Can't wait to try it!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Shadi! You'll love it!!
Valentina says
This looks so delish and comforting. And 30 minutes is so awesome for a busy weeknight. (Or any night!)
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Valentina! You're so right...even on the weekends, we love it! 🙂
Emily says
One pot meals are where it its at lately! My kid actually like broccoli- it is their fave veggie- so I need to make this!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Emily! Hope you get to make it and hope they love it 🙂
Allison says
One pot meals are the best! My family would devour this! Can't wait to give it a try.
Traci Antonovich says
Glad to hear it, Allison! Hope they love it...thanks! 🙂
Jeanette says
Love it. Need to save this for later so I can try it!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Jeanette! Hope you love it like I do 🙂
Tracy says
I've been looking for a go-to easy chicken and rice recipe. LOVE that this one is lightened up, and I can't wait to try it!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Tracy! Love hearing that...hope you get to try it out 🙂
Liz says
I've been loving one pot meals lately! Life has just gotten too busy for more dishes!
Traci Antonovich says
I hear ya! I can live on them all year...next to salads 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Bintu says
I love one pot chicken dishes and this sounds so quick and easy to make. Will definitely be giving it a try
Traci Antonovich says
Thank you! Yes, this is super easy...hope you love it!
Jillian says
This looks delicious and I love that it's all in one pot - easy cleanup!
Traci Antonovich says
Hey thanks! I love one pot dishes too!
Tina says
Thank you for the one pot chicken dinner, this could be a Tuesday night special:)
Traci Antonovich says
Yay thank you! Hope you make it and love it like we do 🙂
Ginny says
Love one pot cooking and you can't beat the broccoli and rice combo. Looks so easy and delicious.
Traci Antonovich says
Thank you...yep, it doesn't get much easier than this! 🙂