Description
Savor the flavors of this creamy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole! A perfect one-pot dish topped with crispy Ritz crackers for a comforting family meal or weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and 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
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Topping:
- 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
- 2 Tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Set the oven to 350°F.
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat and cook the chicken until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. (Skip this step if using rotisserie chicken.) Remove and set aside.
- Cook the Rice:
- Add chicken broth, olive oil, and rice to the same pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover tightly and cook for 6 minutes.
- Add Broccoli:
- Add the broccoli florets to the pot. Cover and cook for an additional 9 minutes, or until the rice absorbs all the liquid and is fully cooked. If needed, simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Rest the Rice:
- Turn off the heat, leaving the lid on. Let the rice stand for 10 minutes without stirring.
- Combine Ingredients:
- Add the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, optional seasonings, and half of the cheddar cheese to the pot of rice. Mix until well combined.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese.
- Bake:
- Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Prepare the Topping:
- Mix the melted butter with crushed Ritz crackers. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the casserole.
- Final Bake:
- Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the topping is golden brown.
- Rest and Serve:
- Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For added flavor, mix in 1/2 teaspoon paprika or a dash of hot sauce.
- Swap fresh broccoli for frozen, but thaw and drain it first.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
