Wholesome Pioneer Woman Broccoli Chicken Rice Recipe

Pioneer Woman’s broccoli chicken rice casserole represents comfort food at its finest, blending hearty ingredients into a rich, creamy masterpiece.

Creamy textures and savory flavors dance together in this satisfying one-pan meal that promises warmth and nourishment.

Soft chicken pieces nestle alongside tender broccoli and fluffy rice, creating a harmonious blend of proteins and carbohydrates.

Home cooks appreciate how seamlessly these ingredients transform into a crowd-pleasing dish that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.

Weeknight dinners demand simplicity, and this casserole delivers maximum flavor with minimal preparation effort.

Family members of all ages will appreciate the balanced combination of nutritious vegetables and protein-packed elements.

A Final Look at the Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe

Hearty comfort sings through Pioneer Woman’s broccoli chicken rice casserole, connecting home kitchens with classic American culinary traditions.

Creamy cheese melts into tender rice, embracing golden chicken in each sumptuous bite.

Crackers crown this dish with crisp texture, elevating simple ingredients into memorable meal magic.

Family gatherings welcome such delightful recipes that nourish both body and spirit.

Home cooks can master this straightforward yet satisfying recipe with minimal kitchen expertise.

Rich flavors promise warm memories at dinner tables across America.

Readers, dive into this recipe’s deliciousness – share your casserole creations, spark conversations, and spread culinary joy with friends and family.

Why Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe Hits the Spot

• Savor Creamy Comfort: This casserole delivers a rich, velvety texture that wraps you in pure comfort food bliss. Cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and melted cheese create a luxurious sauce that makes every bite incredibly satisfying.
• Boost Flavor with Simple Cooking: The recipe transforms basic ingredients into a spectacular meal through smart layering of flavors. Seasoning chicken, using broth-cooked rice, and adding optional seasonings elevate the dish from ordinary to extraordinary without complicated techniques.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Flexible preparation allows you to use rotisserie chicken or freshly cooked chicken, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights or planned meals. The cracker topping adds a delightful crunch that breaks up the creamy texture, providing a perfect contrast in every forkful.
• Quick and Family-Friendly Meal: With just 55 minutes from start to finish, this casserole becomes an ideal solution for hungry families. One-dish cooking means minimal cleanup, and the kid-friendly ingredients ensure everyone at the table will be asking for seconds.

Ingredients for the Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe

• Chicken: Tender protein that adds heartiness and flavor to the casserole. Rotisserie chicken works great for a quick option.
• Chicken Broth: Provides rich flavor and moisture for cooking the rice.

• Cream of Chicken Soup, Milk, Sour Cream: Creates a creamy, rich base that binds the casserole together. Full-fat versions offer the best texture and flavor.
• Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp, melty cheese flavor and helps create a golden, bubbly top.

• Rice: Provides a hearty base for the casserole. Long-grain white rice works best for consistent texture.
• Broccoli: Adds nutrition and vibrant green color to the dish. Fresh or frozen broccoli can be used.

• Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps with cooking and topping.
• Olive Oil: Helps prevent rice from sticking and adds subtle flavor.
• Ritz Crackers: Creates a crispy, buttery topping that adds crunch to the casserole.

Directions for a Creamy Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prepare The Oven And Baking Dish

Warm up the oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Season And Cook The Chicken

• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Melt of butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden and fully cooked, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside. (Skip if using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken)

Step 3: Cook The Rice And Broccoli

• Chicken broth
• Olive oil
• Rice

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 6 minutes. Add broccoli, cover again, and cook for 9 more minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

Step 4: Mix All Ingredients

• Cooked chicken
• Cream of chicken soup
• Milk
• Sour cream
• Cheddar cheese
• Optional seasonings

Stir until everything is evenly mixed.

Step 5: First Baking Round

Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining of cheddar cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes.

Step 6: Add Crunchy Topping

• Crushed crackers
• Melted butter

Remove casserole from oven, discard foil. Spread cracker mixture evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for 10 more minutes until topping is golden and crispy.

Step 7: Rest And Serve

Let casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set slightly. Enjoy your comforting meal!

Smart Tips for Better Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe

• Crisp Up Crackers: Crush crackers right before adding to maintain maximum crunchiness. Break them into uneven pieces for extra texture variation.
• Moisture Magic: Pat broccoli completely dry to prevent watery casserole. Extra liquid can make your dish soggy and less appetizing.
• Temperature Timing: Let casserole rest at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving. This helps ingredients settle and flavors blend perfectly.
• Cheese Selection: Mix two different cheeses for deeper flavor complexity. Sharp cheddar with mild monterey jack creates delicious depth.
• Pre-Cook Vegetables: Quickly sauté broccoli before mixing to enhance natural flavors. Drain excess water to keep casserole texture consistent.

How to Store Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe the Right Way

Meal Prep Magic: Seal freshly cooled casserole in airtight glass containers to lock in flavor and prevent moisture loss. Divide into individual portions for grab-and-go lunches during busy workweeks.

Deep Freeze Strategy: Wrap casserole tightly in multiple layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil, pressing out all air pockets to prevent freezer burn. Label containers with date and contents, ensuring maximum freshness for up to 3 months.

Reheating Rescue: Restore casserole’s creamy texture by thawing overnight in refrigerator, then warm in oven at 350°F covered with foil. Add splash of chicken broth before reheating to revive moisture and prevent drying out.

Tasty Variations for the Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe

• Seafood Symphony: Replace chicken with succulent shrimp or flaky white fish for an oceanic spin on the classic casserole.
• Verde Verde: Swap broccoli for roasted green chiles and add pepper jack cheese to create a spicy southwestern-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Magic: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and feta cheese for a Mediterranean-style transformation with Mediterranean herbs like oregano and thyme.
• Vegetarian Comfort: Eliminate chicken and replace with roasted cauliflower or mixed vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers for a hearty plant-based alternative.

Pioneer Woman Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Pioneer Woman’s broccoli chicken rice casserole delivers comfort on a plate, blending hearty ingredients with creamy cheese sauce. Savory chicken, tender broccoli, and fluffy rice combine for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (or 2 cups of diced rotisserie chicken)

Dairy and Cheeses:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Base and Vegetables:

• 1 ¼ cups uncooked white long-grain rice
• 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 2 ½ cups chicken broth (low-sodium recommended)
• 10.5 oz (298 grams) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) and thoroughly coat a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. Season chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 5-6 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked chicken to a separate plate.
3. In the same skillet, pour chicken broth and olive oil, then gently stir in long-grain white rice. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 6 minutes.
4. Add fresh broccoli florets to the rice, replace the lid, and continue cooking for an additional 9-10 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is completely absorbed.
5. Remove the skillet from heat and incorporate cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, whole milk, sour cream, garlic powder, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
6. Transfer the creamy mixture to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese across the top.
7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven.
8. While baking, crush buttery rectangular crackers and combine with 2 tablespoons of melted butter to create a crispy topping.
9. Remove the casserole from the oven, discard the foil, and evenly distribute the cracker mixture over the surface.
10. Return the uncovered casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and crisp.
11. Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving, which helps the dish set and enhances its texture.

Notes

• Resting lets flavors meld and makes cutting easier, giving you perfect portions every time.
• Sprinkle crackers during the final baking moments to maintain their irresistible crunch and golden texture.
• Distribute ingredients uniformly in the baking dish to ensure every bite delivers balanced, delicious flavors.
• Choose fresh or frozen broccoli, cutting into consistent pieces for even cooking and smooth texture.
• Select rotisserie or raw chicken, ensuring thorough cooking and neat, bite-sized pieces for seamless integration.
• Verify rice package instructions, watching water ratios and cooking duration to achieve perfectly tender grains.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 550 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg