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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!
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.
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 744 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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
To Make Ahead: Prepare the casserole through step 3. Let cool, then cover and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. To bake, remove from the fridge and let sit at room temp while the oven preheats. Bake as directed.
To Freeze: Prepare the casserole through step 3. Let cool, then cover tightly. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter for 2-3 hours. Bake as directed.
Gluten Free Orzo: I love DeLallo brand gluten free orzo.
Can I use instant rice for this and/or how would I adjust cooking?
Hi Karissa! I haven’t tried this recipe with instant rice so I’m not sure, but I don’t see why I wouldn’t work! 🙂 xTieghan
Tried this dish last night. Glad I read other reviews so I also waited to put the broccoli in which was good. Noticed as the rice was cooking that it absorbed all the liquid and was already dry before that cooking time was even up. So I added the rest of the chicken broth into the dish. It turned out not to be enough though…..was dry when I served it. People did like it, and I agree it was good, but was perplexed why I couldn’t taste all the little things others mentioned (cayenne, lemon zest, etc). All I could discern was the thyme. If I make it again I will increase liquid for sure – probably add another 1/4-1/2 cup of milk, and possibly some white wine as I think that would compliment this nicely. Also think I would prefer shredded rotisserie chicken as mine got a little dried out. It is a nice comfort food type of dish.
Hi Cheryl, thanks so much for trying out this recipe and giving some feedback! I really appreciate it! xTieghan
Good recipe but does need some tweaking as mentioned in other reviews.
But primary reason for my review is to say….heads up, the prep time is much longer than 15 min unless you have a sous chef to do all of the chopping for you.
Hey Lisa, thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate it. xTieghan
I made this last night for a Mealtrain dinner and double it so we could have dinner too! I ended up combining the Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole with the One Skillet Cheese Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake as, I like the mushrooms and white wine idea. It turned out great, it is not your Grandma’s Broccoli Chicken and Rice Casserole, it has definitely sophisticated the dish!
Hello,
If I don’t have orzo pasta could I just add another 1/2 cup of rice? Thanks, can’t wait to try!
Yes definitely! xTieghan
We had a chicken broccoli cheese casserole growing up called chicken divan. Oh the horrors, it had mayo and cream of mushroom soup, and was served at dinner parties, yikes! This dish is so cozy,delicious, and I loved the little spicy kick. My man went back for seconds and wished he could have 3rds. It’ll be on repeat for sure.
Hey Suzanne,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, I truly appreciate you giving it a try!!? xTieghan
This was so delicious! The lemon zest adds a really nice flavor. I will definitely be making this again. It’s the perfect comfort food dinner.
Hi Mandi,
Awesome!! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
This was delicious! My 14 month old couldn’t shovel it into her mouth fast enough. My husband loved it and definitely wants it on rotation! It was the perfect combination of flavors and I love how it’s dinner in one pot, all food groups included!
Hey Missy,
Fantastic!! So great to hear that you enjoyed this recipe and thanks a lot for making it. Have a great week!? xTieghan
I have leftover rotisserie chicken that I would like to use. Do you have recommendations how I would change up the preparation in order to use this or would it not work out as well?
Hey Kathryn,
You would just want to add the chicken to the bake, so in step 3 would be best. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This recipe is fabulous!!! The spice from the cayenne is *chefs kiss*
Hey Brenna,
Happy Friday!! I so appreciate you giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Great recipe! I made it less healthy by doubling the butter & cheese and also added fresh garlic while veggies were cooking. Based on other reviews
1. I waited & threw the broccoli in after the rice mixture had been simmering 10 minutes
2. Reduced cooking time for chicken to 2 mins & overall simmer time no more than 20
Serious comfort food, could not stop eating it!
Hey Corey,
Happy Friday!! I so appreciate you giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! Thanks for sharing what worked well for you. xTieghan
So excited to make this tonight! Would it be okay to use brown rice by chance?
Hey Lindsey,
I hope you love the recipe, yes you can also use brown rice. Please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This recipe is a great idea but needs to be tweaked; the chicken, broccoli and orzo cooks for way way way too long if you make it as written. Mushy broccoli and dry chicken ruin this unfortunately.
Hey Amelia,
Sorry you didn’t enjoy the recipe, please let me know if I can help in anyway! xTieghan
I loved this recipe. It was my first one I’ve made since signing up last week! I’ll definitely be making it again and trying more. Thank you for posting ?
Hey Mandy,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
Did try the recipe and it was just fine with Brown Basmati Rice and it did not increase the cooking time. Thanks for answering my question about it.
Hey Christine,
Awesome! Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and truly appreciate you giving it a try! xTieghan