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Nothing is better (or easier) than this Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole. Kind of like broccoli cheddar soup meets cozy weeknight casserole. It’s healthy…ish, so darn easy, and so darn delicious. The best part…it’s made entirely in one pot and in under an hour. Grab some chicken, rice, orzo pasta, plenty of herbs, and all the broccoli you can snag. Cook everything together on the stove, add sharp cheddar cheese, and finish off in the oven to melt the cheese. Simple, but SO GOOD. The perfect weeknight casserole!
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It’s not even September yet and I am already throwing the casseroles at you guys. Yes, it’s true. I’m ready to switch things up. I’m ready for a bit of cozy, and well, I really just hope you all are ready too.
In all seriousness, this really is a perfect recipe for this time of year. The kids are all heading back to school, everyone is slowly coming back from summer vacations, and life is getting busy. Sure, it’s still hot out, but I’m feeling the autumn shift slowly creeping its way in. And with that comes dinner inspiration from my childhood. End of summer and back to school signals the part of my brain that has me thinking easy family dinners, midwest style.
I’m talking casseroles, tacos, slow cooker dinner, and soon enough, soups. Anyone else feel the same or what? It can’t just be me…
Growing up, broccoli cheddar anything was my favorite, but especially the broccoli cheddar soup from Panera bread. My other favorite? My dad’s rice bakes, which he’d make simple with so much broccoli and so much cheddar cheese. They were simple and delicious and I was so into them.
I got to thinking about combining the two together, and just like that, this recipe was formed. It’s not anything crazy creative, but I can assure you, it’s crazy delicious.
Like I said above, kind of like broccoli cheddar soup meets cozy rice casserole. And it’s is GOOD. Not nearly as soupy as soup, but not as heavy as a casserole. It’s got the perfect balance.
It all starts and ends in ONE pot. Or two if you’re like me and decide you want to bake this in a real casserole dish for the “real deal” midwest style casserole situation. I really love setting the mood.
Anyway, start with the basics. Cook your onion, add the chicken, give the chicken some time sear. Then add a touch of butter, some rice, orzo, and fresh thyme. Cook until you’ve got a nice toasty smell going, now add the broth, broccoli, and a few more seasonings. Cover and cook just like you would a normal pot of rice. Once this is finished cooking, stir in just a touch of milk for creaminess (swap in non-dairy milk, if needed), and lemon zest for a pop of freshness.
Top with cheddar cheese and bake until the cheese is melty and the broccoli on top has a little char. Finish with fresh thyme and basil from the garden and dinner is served. Easy, right?
But yet so very good. The rice underneath stays soft and creamy while the cheese on top browns. The corners of the dish will form an insanely delicious, cheesy crust. Every bite is flavor and roll your eyes back good.
If you prefer to go the vegetarian route, simply omit the chicken from the dish. It’s truly just as delicious without or without, so do what works best for you and your family.
This dish brings back all the best memories from when I was a kid, huddled around the kitchen counter, eating chicken noodle casserole with my brothers. Of course, this is a much healthier dinner option, with so much more color than mom’s (super old school) chicken noodle casserole. But all the nostalgia is still there.
And no offense to my mom or dad, but personally I love my vegetable-filled casserole a bit more than their old school version. Sometimes you have to upgrade the classics a bit, you know?
Make this one for family and friends, I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t love it.
If you make this broccoli cheddar chicken and rice casserole, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Watch The How To Video:
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 1 pound boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 1/2 cups basmati or jasmine rice
- 1/2 cup dry orzo pasta , (use gluten free, if needed)
- 2 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, plus more for topping
- 3 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 3 cups broccoli florets, roughly chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less to taste
- zest of 1/2 a lemon
- 1/2 cup whole milk or canned coconut milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. 2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion and carrot and cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the chicken is seared, 2-3 minutes. Add the butter, rice, orzo, and thyme, and cook until golden and toasted, 2-3 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the broccoli, bay leaves, garlic powder, cayenne, and a large pinch each of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low. Cook, covered for 20-25 minutes, until the rice is mostly cooked.3. Once the rice is cooked, stir in the lemon zest, milk, and 1/2 cup of cheese. If needed, transfer the rice to an oven-safe casserole dish. Scatter the remaining cheese over top the casserole. 4. Transfer to the oven and bake 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and just beginning to brown. Serve warm with additional thyme and fresh basil.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Soo yummy! I used sharp white cheddar and it was delicious. The chicken got a tad dried out but the husband loved it. 🙂
Hey Julia,
Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am delighted to hear that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Wonderful dish. We really notice and like the lemon! A perfect all-in-one casserole to take to friends who need a meal.
Hey Laurie,
Thanks a lot for trying out this recipe. I love to hear that it was enjoyed and hope you have the best week! xTieghan
Really great recipe. Good crowd pleaser for Labor Day. We served tri-tip and ribs on the side. Because we already had a few meat dishes, I subbed potatoes for the chicken. Next time, I want to try adding spinach; not sure why, it just sounds good. Best to eat fresh out of oven while the cheese is creamy though. I left ours on warm in the oven (while waiting for guests to arrive) for over an hour and the cheese became hard and dried. 🙁 It was still good though.
Hey Sally,
Happy Friday!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go:) xTieghan
Would like to make this recipe using brown basmati rice. How do I adjust the cooking time? Should I precook the rice in a rice cooker and add toward the end?
Hey Christine,
You should be able to follow the recipe as is! Please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hi, i made the casserole last night and loved it. Although I’m realizing i have too much and want to freeze it. Is it too late to freeze if I’ve already gone through the whole recipe?
Hey Adelaide,
Awesome! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a go! You could freeze this, I think it would be okay. Have a wonderful week:) xTieghan
Made this in my enameled cast iron dutch oven and it was fantastic!
Hey Robin,
Awesome! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a go! Have a wonderful week:) xTieghan
Hi Tieghan,
Will make the recipe this coming week. Looks and sounds delicious. What size of dish/pan do you suggest I use.
Many thanks for all your recipes. Happy Birthday to adorable Asher !
Delicious wishes From Canada.
Yvonne Adams
Hey Yvonne,
I used a 9×13 baking dish. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hi! If I omit chicken to make vegetarian, do I alter the liquid in any way? Thanks!
Hey Mary,
I would keep the recipe as is minus the chicken:) I hope the recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan. Can this recipe be made without chicken (I.e. more vegetarian)?
Hey Mary,
Sure, totally fine to skip the chicken here. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Made this tonight and it was delicious. Love the combo of rice and orzo pasta. My chicken was a little overcooked, but that was totally my fault. Thanks for another winner, winner chicken dinner 🙂
Hey Sharon,
Awesome! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it. Have the best week! xTieghan
Made this tonight! So simple and delicious!
Hey Gina,
Fantastic! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a go! xTieghan
Made this last night and it came out sooooo good! Will mos def do it again!
Hey Anthony,
Wonderful! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed. Thanks a bunch for giving it a try! xTieghan
I think I just ‘got it’. Some people have those pots that can go in the oven. So sorry to waste your time.
Hope you love the recipe!
Is the baking necessary or is it just to melt the cheese on top? New apartment doesn’t have an oven =(
Hey Bea,
It’s to melt the cheese and warm everything through:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi there, I was wondering what you mean in step 3 ‘if needed’. Could you please clarify? I mean do we not have to put it a casserole dish? Maybe I am missing something?
Hey Cris,
If you are already using an oven safe dish for steps 1 and 2, then you would not need to transfer to another oven safe dish. I hope this makes sense. xTieghan
I’ve made this twice and it’s going in our regular rotation. I love that it makes a huge amount. My tip is to add the broccoli after the rice is done, when you’re adding the milk. That way the broccoli stays a bit crisp and doesn’t get mushy. I also use a mix of cheddar and feta for the cheese.
Hey Amy,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! ☘️ xTieghan