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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Transfer the creamy mixture to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese across the top.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven.
- While baking, crush buttery rectangular crackers and combine with 2 tablespoons of melted butter to create a crispy topping.
- Remove the casserole from the oven, discard the foil, and evenly distribute the cracker mixture over the surface.
- Return the uncovered casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the topping turns golden brown and crisp.
- 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