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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!
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Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Loved this recipe, great for leftovers as well. This is a new family favourite!
Hey Anastasia,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks so much for your feedback and trying the recipe! Happy Thanksgiving! xT
Hi Tieghan, just here to tell you how much I love all your recipes and hoping to include this one in my favorites! I’m planning to throw it together for dinner tonight using a rotisserie chicken I have on hand, so I wanted to touch base for your expertise. When do you suggest I add the chicken if it’s already cooked — before or after the rice cooks in the broth? TIA. 💕
Hi Courtney,
Thanks so much for your kind message and making so many recipes!! I would add the chicken in step 3 with the cheese:) I hope this helps! xx
Made it tonight and it was SOOO good! Doubled up and made it for my neighbor down the street too. Only addition was making a butter/garlic/cracker topping and added heavy cream instead of milk. SO GOOD!!
Hi Lindsay,
I appreciate you giving this dish a try and sharing your feedback! Love to hear that it was a winner:) x
This just didn’t have enough flavor, and I don’t know what I’d do to fix it. Won’t make it again.
Hi Carole,
So sorry to hear this recipe was not enjoyed, please let me know if I can help in any way! xx
I’m making this tonight to cook tomorrow! I have a long MD appointment, this way the family will have a healthy(ish) home cooked dinner when I get home. I recently came across your site and am in love with your cooking techniques. Especially, the top 50 you put together for fall….yummy!
Awe, thanks so much for your kind message, Meredith!! I hope your family loves this recipe:) xT
Made this for dinner yesterday and leftovers for lunchs this week. Great taste, easy and quick 🙂
Hi Virginie,
Wonderful!! I am so glad that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for giving it a go! xx
I love all Tieghan’s recipes. This is such an amazing casserole. We had it for dinner last night and I was so looking forward to having it for lunch today- YUM! It’s perfect. She is really a master of flavors. I love the addition of more veggies to the traditional casserole, I love the slight kick of the cayenne and that brightness the lemon zest brings. A KEEPER!!!
Hey Tracy,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks a bunch for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad to hear that it turned out well for you:)
Love this casserole! Love. Love. Love. I make and freeze a lot and bring to friends who need a pick me up. I’m finding consistently that the baking from frozen directions do not work. Tieghan — Can you consider revising these. This casserole doesn’t bake in time specified from cold/frozen the way it does when coming off stovetop. TOA for consideration.
This was amazing!! I made this with chicken thighs instead of breasts, and it was so so good!!
Hi! So glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thanks for trying it out! xT
Can I make this using only rice?
Hi there! That should be fine! xT
What would be a good side to go with this?
Loved this, great depth of flavor. My husband almost ate the whole thing.
Thank you! So glad you and your family enjoyed this casserole! xT
So yummy, even my young boys loved it! I’m not much of a casserole person, but the flavors meld deliciously. If you use a Dutch oven, you only need one pot. The only thing I changed was extra garlic… because that’s just how we roll. 🤣
Thank you so so much Lauren! xT
This is an elevated take on broccoli cheddar! The flavor is amazing and this dish is sooo comforting. I make it for my family and take it to friends in need. Love it!
Hi there! So glad you’re enjoying the recipe! Thank you for giving it a try! xT
This recipe is so good. I have fussy eaters and both loved it
Will definitely have this on repeat
Thank you so much Lynne! Love to hear this! xT