Easy Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli: The Ultimate Comfort Food

Craving a warm, comforting dinner that’s both easy to make and budget-friendly? Look no further than this Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli! This creamy, cheesy casserole is the perfect one-dish meal for busy weeknights. Everything bakes together in one pan, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor. It’s a hearty and satisfying dish that the whole family will love.

If you enjoy simple, one-pot meals like this, you’ll find over 150+ cozy and budget-friendly recipes in my new cookbook, “Make It Simple.” Get your copy or the 2-book bundle here: juliapachecorecipes.com

Looking for more easy dinner ideas? Try pairing this casserole with my Spanish Rice Soup or 8 Can Chicken Taco Soup!

This Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli is a comforting classic, featuring tender rice, canned chicken (for convenience), creamy soups, and vibrant broccoli. Baked until it’s hot, bubbly, and golden brown, this casserole is a hearty, budget-friendly, and always a family favorite. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s sure to warm you up from the inside out.

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Why You’ll Love This Chicken and Rice Casserole Recipe…

This is one of those reliable dinner recipes that never fails to deliver. Simply mix all the ingredients together, bake, and dinner is ready. It’s incredibly filling, wonderfully creamy, and offers the perfect combination of protein, vegetables, and rice all in one convenient pan. It’s also freezer-friendly, making it excellent for meal preparation!

• Total Time: Approximately 1 hour
• Perfect For: Weeknight family dinners or meal-prepping
• Key Ingredients: Chicken, rice mix, broccoli, cream soups
• Servings: 4
• Skill Level: Easy
• Storage: Refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months

For more effortless weeknight meals, check out my Creamy Tomato Bacon Pasta or Easy Red Beans and Rice.

Made With Love,

This recipe is featured in my 8 Catastrophic Budget Dinners in a Bag series – all crafted from shelf-stable, pantry-friendly ingredients, perfect for those budget-conscious times or when you need a quick and easy meal solution.

What You’ll Need for Chicken and Rice Casserole

Here’s a breakdown of what makes this casserole so creamy, comforting, and incredibly easy to make:

• Canned Chicken: The ultimate convenience! No pre-cooking is needed, saving you time and effort in the kitchen. It’s a fantastic source of protein that blends seamlessly into the casserole.
• Rice-A-Roni Mix: This mix isn’t just rice; it’s a flavor explosion waiting to happen! It adds a unique taste and satisfying texture to the base of the casserole, making it far from ordinary. Look for your favorite flavor, but the classic varieties work best.
• Cream of Mushroom + Cream of Chicken Soup: The dynamic duo that creates the signature creamy sauce. These soups provide the moisture and richness that make this casserole so decadent and comforting. You can experiment with other “cream of” soups for different flavor profiles.
• Frozen Broccoli Cuts: A true time-saver! Frozen broccoli adds vibrant color, essential nutrition, and a delicious earthy flavor to the casserole. Plus, it requires no chopping or prep work. You can substitute with fresh broccoli if you prefer, just be sure to steam it lightly first.

Love creamy casseroles? Be sure to try my Spanish Rice Soup next – it captures the same comforting essence in a warm, inviting soup form!

Full Ingredients List

• 1 (5 oz) can chicken, drained
• 1 (4.3 oz) box Rice-A-Roni
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup water
• 1 (12 oz) bag frozen broccoli cuts
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper

The printable recipe card below includes the complete ingredient list with precise measurements — perfect for saving or printing for later use!

How to Make Chicken and Rice Casserole with Broccoli

Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and comforting chicken and rice casserole:

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the casserole cooks evenly and the rice becomes tender.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained canned chicken, Rice-A-Roni mix, both cans of cream soup (mushroom and chicken), water, frozen broccoli florets, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir all the ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined. This step ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
3. Step 3: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. This prevents the casserole from sticking to the bottom of the dish, making it easier to serve and clean up. Pour the mixed casserole ingredients into the prepared baking dish, spreading them evenly. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture and promote even cooking.
4. Step 4: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked, tender, and the casserole is heated through. Check for doneness by inserting a fork into the center of the casserole. If the rice is still firm, continue baking for a few more minutes. Note that this casserole is designed to be creamy, not overly thick, so a slightly saucy consistency is perfectly normal and desirable.

The step-by-step instructions are also included in the printable recipe card below – remember to save it for future reference!

Chicken and Rice Casserole Variations

Want to put a personal spin on this classic recipe? Here are a few delicious variations to try:

• Cheesy Crust: Add a layer of shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese blend) on top of the casserole during the last 15 minutes of baking. This creates a golden, bubbly, and irresistibly cheesy crust that adds an extra layer of flavor and texture.
• Fresh Broccoli: Substitute frozen broccoli with fresh steamed broccoli for a slightly firmer bite and fresher flavor. Lightly steam the broccoli florets until they are tender-crisp before adding them to the casserole mixture.
• Rotisserie Chicken: Replace canned chicken with leftover rotisserie chicken for a richer, more flavorful protein option. Shred the rotisserie chicken and incorporate it into the casserole for a delicious twist.
• Bacon and Mushrooms: Stir in cooked bacon crumbles or sautéed mushrooms for extra flavor and depth. Cooked bacon adds a smoky, savory element, while sautéed mushrooms bring an earthy and umami-rich flavor to the casserole.

Craving more comforting dishes? Next, give my Spanish Rice Soup a try – it’s another warm and satisfying dinner option!

Recipe FAQs – Chicken and Rice Casserole

Serving Suggestions

This Chicken and Rice Casserole is a complete meal in itself, but it pairs perfectly with a variety of side dishes:

• Side Salad: A crisp and refreshing green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing provides a nice contrast to the richness of the casserole.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or carrots add a healthy and flavorful element to the meal.
• Garlic Bread: Warm, crusty garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce from the casserole.

Looking for more comforting side dishes? You should also try my Vegetable Noodle Soup or Ramen Noodle Stir Fry!

Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: For longer storage, wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat: To reheat, warm the casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave. If the casserole seems dry, add a splash of water, chicken broth, or milk to help restore its creamy consistency.

For another cozy, freezer-friendly dinner option, try my Lentil Stew.

Enjoy easy one-dish meals like this? You’ll find over 150 more cozy dump-and-go dinners in my cookbook “Make It Simple.” Order your copy or the complete cookbook bundle here: https://www.juliapachecorecipes.com/