Chicken and rice casserole with broccoli is a super-simple skillet meal that helps you get a flavorful meal on the table without a lot of work. The rice cooks with the chicken in a homemade sauce, no canned soup needed, and clean up’s a breeze!
There’s Nothing Better than Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
This easy recipe steps you through how to make a simple homemade mushroom soup. When you see how simple it is, I bet you never go back to the can! Plus, it gives this casserole so much more flavor. Paired with rice (which absorbs all that mushroom soup flavor), it’s the perfect base for this rich and creamy chicken casserole.
Maybe the best part of this simple skillet dinner is the buttery Ritz cracker topping! Crunchy and salty and just so darn good! It’s pure comfort food. Growing up, we had chicken and rice on repeat, but I wanted to find a way to incorporate the flavors and ease without using a gloppy can of soup.
I created this super easy mushroom soup base which only takes a couple of minutes to make, the whole casserole comes together in about 15 minutes, and then it just simmers until everything has cooked.
It’s a nice recipe to keep on hand for weeknights when you want a hot, home cooked meal. Last minute guests? This recipe doesn’t need any planning grab some chicken breasts and fresh broccoli and you probably have everything else in your pantry.
What to Serve with a Chicken Broccoli & Rice Casserole Recipe
This cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole is the perfect one-pan meal, but that doesn’t mean some sides wouldn’t be a great addition! I like to have mine with some dinner rolls or cornbread, but it also goes well with a simple Greek salad or a fruity watermelon salad for an effortless side dish.
What You’ll Need For This Skillet Dinner
Get a full list of the ingredients below in the Recipe Card.
- Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breasts work best for this recipe, as they cook in the sauce they becomes so tender.
- Broccoli: You can use either fresh or frozen broccoli florets, if using frozen, make sure to thaw first and skip the microwave step.
- Rice: Use plain long grain white rice for this casserole, not instant rice
- Sour cream and mayonnaise: Sour cream and mayonnaise add creamy richness to the casserole. I recommend using the full-fat variety of both for the best results. The combination of the two give it a creamy texture without being too sour.
- Ritz crackers – Ritz crackers make a crispy and buttery topping for the casserole, which is an excellent contrast to the creamy and tender filling. You can also use other types of buttery crackers instead.
Ingredients you will NOT find in this casserole.
- A can of cream of mushroom soup
- Instant rice
- Rotisserie chicken
- Mushy broccoli
Not that any of those things are bad but without them you’ll get a fresh casserole that has more flavor and the perfect texture.
How To Make Skillet Chicken, Broccoli, Rice Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the homemade cream of mushroom soup.
Add flour to the browned mushrooms then slowly stir in the chicken broth and milk.
Step 2: Add the chicken and rice.
Add uncooked rice to the soup, then add the chicken. Cover and bake the casserole until the rice is fully cooked and all of the liquid has been absorbed.
Step 3: Prepare the broccoli.
Chop the broccoli into bite-size florets, then place them into a microwave-safe bowl with just a little bit of water. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and microwave for a couple of minutes until the broccoli is tender with just a little bit of snap.
Step 4: Finish the casserole.
Remove the casserole from the oven after half an hour and stir in the broccoli. Spread the Ritz topping evenly over the casserole and place it back into the oven on the broil setting to brown and crisp the top.
Tips for Making Easy Casserole Recipes with Chicken
- Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. You can use a meat thermometer to make sure it has cooked through. The time will vary depending on how thick the chicken breasts are. Or you can cut one in half and the inside should not be pink.
- If you choose to use frozen broccoli, thaw it first and add directly to the casserole. It won’t need to be microwaved unless you like soft broccoli.
- If you don’t have an oven-proof skillet with a lid, you can place this in a casserole dish and cover it with aluminum foil. it might take a little longer to cook this way so use a meat thermometer to test the chicken.
How to Store
In the refrigerator: Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
In the freezer: You can freeze the casserole in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
How to reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, or reheat the entire casserole in the oven at 350ºF. You can re-broil the casserole to get the topping crispy again. If storing before it has baked, wait to add the topping until right before baking.
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Skillet Dinner with Chicken Broccoli and Rice
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 4 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cups uncooked rice
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers
- 2 tablespoons butter
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º.
- Add 2 tablespoons of butter to an oven proof skillet with a lid. Add onions and mushrooms and cook until softened. Add flour and stir for about a minute. Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth until it has slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Add cheese and stir until melted.
- Remove from heat and add sour cream and mayonnaise. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Add uncooked rice and stir to combine. Add uncooked chicken breasts. Cover and bake for 30 minutes until the liquid is incorporated and the rice has softened and the chicken registers at 165º.
- While the casserole is cooking, place bite size florets of broccoli in a microwave safe bowl with ¼ cup water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 2 minutes until broccoli is just tender.
- In a small bowl combine crushed Ritz crackers and butter and stir with a fork.
- When the casserole has cooked for 30 minutes, remove and add broccoli, stirring into the rice mixture. Cover with cracker mixture and place under the broiler for 2 minutes until the crackers have browned.
- If you don’t have a covered skillet, place everything in a casserole dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil. It may take a little longer to cook this way.
Barbara’s Tips + Notes
- Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. Use a meat thermometer. If chicken breasts are thick, the cooking time may be longer.
- If you choose to use frozen broccoli, you don’t need to microwave it before you add it to the filling, just thaw it first.
- You can leave the mushrooms out of the sauce.
Nutrition
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Brenda Dove says
Hello,
I was wondering if I could cut up my Chicken into Chunks for a crowd?
Thank you
Barbara Curry says
Yes, you can cut up the chicken, this makes a lot of rice so you can even add more chicken than the recipe calls for.
Dana says
What temperature do you bake the Casserole at? It sounds delicious!
Barbara Curry says
It bakes at 350º.