Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
Introduction
This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a comforting and creamy one-dish meal packed with tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and cheesy goodness. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, it combines simple ingredients to create a delicious homemade casserole that everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5-6 chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken with herbs
- 1 (10.5 oz) heavy cream (use cream of chicken can to measure)
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese (mild or medium), shredded
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup Boursin cheese
- 3 tbsp Bayou City all-purpose seasoning (divided)
- 1 tbsp Bayou City garlic pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 4 cups broccoli florets, cooked
- 4 cups white rice, cooked
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Step 2: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Step 3: Season the chicken thighs with olive oil and 2 tablespoons of Bayou City all-purpose seasoning.
- Step 4: Cook the chicken thighs in the skillet for 6-7 minutes on each side, until fully cooked through.
- Step 5: Remove the chicken from the skillet, let it cool slightly, then shred or chop into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
- Step 6: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Step 7: Pour in the chicken stock to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits, and let it reduce for about 4 minutes to build flavor.
- Step 8: Add the cream of chicken soup with herbs to the skillet. Then pour heavy cream into the empty soup can and add that as well, stirring to combine.
- Step 9: Stir in the Boursin cheese and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese until the cheeses melt and the sauce becomes smooth. Add more cheese now if you prefer a thicker sauce.
- Step 10: Mix in the sour cream until fully incorporated.
- Step 11: In a large bowl, combine cooked rice, cooked broccoli, and the shredded chicken.
- Step 12: Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the rice mixture. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Season with the remaining Bayou City all-purpose seasoning, garlic pepper, onion powder, and cayenne. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 13: Transfer the mixture into a large casserole dish and spread it evenly.
- Step 14: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Step 15: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Step 16: Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Step 17: Take the casserole out of the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Step 18: Optional: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and a sprinkle of paprika for color and extra flavor.
Tips & Variations
- For extra creaminess, add a bit more sour cream or cream cheese to the sauce.
- Use cooked brown rice or quinoa as a healthier alternative to white rice.
- Swap chicken thighs for cooked shredded rotisserie chicken if short on time.
- Add a handful of chopped mushrooms or diced bell peppers for more veggies.
- Top with breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter for a crunchy topping before baking.
Storage
Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm in a covered dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 15-20 minutes.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. Bake just before serving, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time if cold from the refrigerator.
Can I use frozen broccoli for this recipe?
Absolutely. Just be sure to thaw and drain the broccoli well to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting dish perfect for a family dinner. Tender chicken thighs are cooked and shredded, then combined with broccoli, cooked rice, and a rich cheese sauce made from cream of chicken soup, heavy cream, Boursin cheese, and cheddar. The casserole is baked until bubbly and golden on top, delivering layers of flavor and a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 5–6 chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp Bayou City all purpose seasoning (divided)
- 1 tbsp Bayou City garlic pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken with herbs
- 1 (10.5 oz) heavy cream (measured using the cream of chicken can)
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (mild or medium), divided
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup Boursin cheese
Vegetables and Rice
- 4 cups broccoli florets, cooked
- 4 cups cooked white rice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Season the chicken thighs with olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the all-purpose seasoning. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until thoroughly cooked through.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and let it cool slightly. Then shred or chop into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook over medium heat for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in the chicken stock to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the browned bits from the bottom. Let the stock reduce for about 4 minutes, intensifying the flavor.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Stir in the cream of chicken soup with herbs and add the heavy cream. Mix well to combine.
- Add Cheese: Add the Boursin cheese and half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Sour Cream: Stir in the sour cream until the sauce is well combined and creamy.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked white rice, cooked broccoli florets, and shredded chicken.
- Mix with Sauce: Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the rice mixture and stir thoroughly to evenly coat all ingredients. Season with remaining Bayou City all purpose seasoning, garlic pepper, onion powder, cayenne, and taste to adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the mixture into a large casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese topping is bubbly and slightly golden brown.
- Serve: Take the casserole out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, then serve hot. Optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley and a sprinkle of paprika for color and flavor.
Notes
- You can use mild or medium cheddar cheese based on your preference for sharpness.
- Cook the broccoli until just tender to retain its texture in the casserole.
- Adjust seasoning to taste before baking to ensure balanced flavors.
- For thicker sauce, add extra cheddar cheese before baking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Garnishing with fresh parsley and paprika adds an attractive touch and enhances the flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken casserole, broccoli rice casserole, creamy chicken bake, cheesy chicken casserole, easy comfort food
