Description
This creamy chicken broccoli rice cheese casserole is a comforting one-dish meal combining tender cooked chicken, nutritious broccoli, fluffy rice, and a rich, cheesy sauce. Perfect for a family dinner, this casserole is baked to golden perfection with an optional crunchy Ritz cracker topping that adds a delightful texture contrast.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets, steamed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Topping
- 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the casserole evenly.
- Combine Base Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, shredded chicken, and steamed broccoli to form the casserole base.
- Mix Sauce Ingredients: Add the cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Mix thoroughly to ensure every bite is flavorful and creamy.
- Add Cheeses: Stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture for a melty, cheesy texture.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Transfer the combined mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and spread it out evenly for uniform baking.
- Add Optional Topping: If using, combine crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter and sprinkle this over the top of the casserole to add a crispy, golden crust.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and the casserole is bubbly throughout.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving to let it set and make it easier to portion.
Notes
- To save time, use leftover cooked chicken and rice from previous meals.
- Broccoli can be fresh or frozen; just make sure to steam it before adding.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cheeses.
- The Ritz cracker topping is optional but adds a lovely crunchy texture to contrast the creamy casserole.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
