Crispy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Crispy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, ready in just 30 minutes. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to a perfectly crispy topping. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Apple Pie Bars and Crispy Brown Sugar Pineapple Chicken.
Why This Crispy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy, golden topping
- Hearty, comforting flavors
- Better than takeout taste
- Easy one-pot cooking
What You'll Need for Crispy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- Optional: 2 tbsp melted butter
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken: Rotisserie chicken works great for a shortcut.
- rice: Use leftover rice or cook according to package instructions.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Saves time and effort in chopping broccoli and mixing ingredients. → See on Amazon
- Non-stick baking dish — Ensures even cooking and prevents the casserole from sticking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, broccoli, rice, soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Step 3: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread evenly.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Step 5: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is crispy and golden, and the casserole is bubbly.
- Step 6: Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Common mistake and fix: To prevent a soggy casserole, use cooked rice and don't overcook the broccoli.
- Pro tip: For extra crispiness, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes after baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Pro tip: Make ahead: Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead. Bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Freezing Crispy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Add a little milk to prevent drying out.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a creamier casserole, use evaporated milk instead of regular milk.
- Best substitution: Substitute the cream of chicken soup with a homemade cream sauce made from butter, flour, and chicken broth.
- Make-ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead. Bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the topping isn't crispy enough, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes after baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant-read meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time, preventing overcooking and dryness. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, broccoli, rice, soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Step 3: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread evenly.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Step 5: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is crispy and golden, and the casserole is bubbly.
- Step 6: Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a creamier casserole, use evaporated milk instead of regular milk.
- Best substitution: Substitute the cream of chicken soup with a homemade cream sauce made from butter, flour, and chicken broth.
- Make-ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead. Bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the topping isn't crispy enough, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes after baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through. Add a little milk to prevent drying out.
- Make ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead. Bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole FAQs
Using uncooked rice and overcooking the broccoli can lead to a soggy casserole. Use cooked rice and don't overcook the broccoli to prevent this.
Yes, assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead. Bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Make a homemade cream sauce using butter, flour, and chicken broth as a substitute.
Yes, freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Overcooking the chicken and using too much milk can lead to a dry casserole. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure perfectly cooked chicken and adjust the milk quantity if needed.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
