Home Recipes The Perfect Make-Ahead Dinner: Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

The Perfect Make-Ahead Dinner: Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

by Jennah

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Looking for a delicious and easy make-ahead dinner that will leave your family asking for seconds? Look no further than this Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole! Packed with tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, and creamy rice all smothered in gooey cheese, it’s the ultimate comfort food dish that can be made ahead of time for busy weeknights. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak some veggies into your picky eaters’ diets without sacrificing flavor. So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!

If you’re looking for an easy and delicious make-ahead dinner, this cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole is the perfect recipe! It’s packed with all of your favorite flavors, and it can be made ahead of time so that you can enjoy a stress-free meal.

This casserole is the perfect make-ahead dinner because it is so easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken or turkey. The casserole can be assembled in advance and then baked when you are ready to eat. This dish is also very versatile and can be easily customized to your liking.

Tips:

When it comes to make-ahead dinners, this cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole is about as perfect as it gets. It’s easy to make, can be assembled ahead of time, and reheats beautifully. Plus, it’s packed with all the good stuff – chicken, broccoli, cheese, and rice. Yum!

Here are a few pro tips to make this casserole even better:

1. Use cooked rotisserie chicken for the easiest prep. Just shred or chop it up and you’re ready to go.

2. If you’re short on time, you can use frozen broccoli florets instead of fresh. No need to thaw them first – just add them straight to the casserole dish.

3. For extra cheesy goodness, top the casserole with some shredded mozzarella cheese before baking. Yum!

4. To make sure the rice is perfectly cooked, use parboiled rice in this recipe. It’s precooked so all you need to do is heat it through in the oven. Perfection!

Conclusion & Recipe:

This casserole is the perfect make-ahead dinner because it’s simple to make, and it reheats well. Plus, it’s packed with flavor and everyone will love it!

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

If you're looking for an easy and delicious make-ahead dinner, this cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole is the perfect recipe! It's packed with all of your favorite flavors, and it can be made ahead of time so that you can enjoy a stress-free meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 511 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • Salt/Pepper to taste
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 1/4 cups white long grain rice uncooked
  • 2 cups fresh broccoli florets uncooked
  • 10.5 oz. Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese separated

Optional Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Casserole Topping

  • 1 cup Ritz crackers crushed
  • 2 Tablespoons melted butter

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F
  • Slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces, and season it with Italian seasoning.
  • In a large saucepan, heat butter over medium heat until it melts. Cook the chicken until it is golden brown, approximately 5 minutes. Set aside. Do not remove rotisserie chicken.
  • Add the chicken broth and olive oil to the pot. Rice should be added to the pot. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.
  • Cover and Cook for 6 Minutes.
  • Cover with the broccoli. Continue to cook for 9 minutes. Do not stir.
  • Turn off the heat. Cover the pan. Allow the rice to stand for 10 minutes. Do not stir. The rice at the bottom of your pot will be released.
  • Mix the soup, cooked chicken, milk, sourcream, seasonings and half of the cheddar cheese.
  • Place in a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheese.
  • Bake for 15 minutes.

Add the Topping

  • Combine the butter with the crackers and melt it. To make the topping, combine the ingredients.
  • Sprinkle the topping with crumbled cracker and bake for 10 more minutes.
  • Allow the casserole to rest for five minutes before serving.

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