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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is an easy dinner the whole family will love, tender chicken, fresh broccoli and rice in a cheesy sauce.
Course Entrees
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken casserole, weeknight dinner
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 595kcal
Author Wendie

Ingredients

  • 1 cup long-grain rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 7 tablespoons butter divided
  • 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3 cups broccoli
  • 1 sleeve Rits Crackers
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken diced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
  • 2 cups shredded cheese

Instructions

  • Heat a medium saucepan on medium-high heat add rice, water, 1 tablespoon of butter, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt give it a stir and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed, remove the lid and fluff with a fork. Set aside
  • Add the broccoli to a saucepan with about 1.2 inches of water cover and steam for 2-4 minutes drain the broccoli and set aside. You can also steam the broccoli in the microwave if you prefer.
  • In a small bowl add the crushed Ritz crackers and 2 tablespoons of melted butter and mix until combined and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  • In a large oven-safe 12-inch skillet on medium-high heat add the olive oil and the diced chicken and cook for 5 minutes or until browned. Remove to a plate.
  • In the same skillet add 4 tablespoons of butter and melt, then add in the diced onion and cook 2-3 minutes then add in the minced garlic and cook another minute. Sprinkle in the flour and stir.
  • Whisk in the chicken stock and bring to a simmer.
  • Add in the milk and seasoning and whisk until combined.
  • Add in the chicken, broccoli, rice, and 1 1/4 cups of the cheese and stir. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top then sprinkle the Ritz cracker mixture on top.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

Video

Notes

For a short cut use a store-bought rotisserie, canned chicken, or leftover shredded chicken about 2 cups.
You can make your rice in a rice cooker or even use leftover rice you'll need 3 cups of cooked rice.
I use colby cheese but cheddar, or jack cheese works great also.
If you don't have a 12-inch oven-safe skillet transfer everything to a 9x13 casserole dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 595kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 20g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 186mg | Sodium: 760mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g