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Broccoli Rice Cheese and Chicken Casserole with cheddar and buttery Ritz topping

Broccoli Rice Cheese and Chicken Casserole

This creamy Broccoli Rice Cheese and Chicken Casserole combines tender chicken, long-grain rice, broccoli, cheddar, and a buttery Ritz topping in one comforting family dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Casserole

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp 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 Seasonings

  • 1 tsp dried thyme optional
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder optional

Ritz Topping

  • 1 cup Ritz crackers crushed
  • 2 tbsp butter melted

Instructions
 

Cook the Chicken and Rice

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
  • Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside. Skip this step if using cooked rotisserie chicken.
  • Add the chicken broth, olive oil, and rice to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover tightly, and cook for 7 minutes.
  • Add the broccoli, replace the cover, and cook for 8 more minutes without stirring. Remove from the heat and let the rice stand, covered, for 10 minutes.

Assemble and Bake

  • Stir in the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, optional thyme and garlic powder, and half of the cheddar cheese.
  • Transfer to a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish and top with the remaining cheddar. Cover and bake for 15 minutes.
  • Mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter. Uncover the casserole, sprinkle the topping evenly over the cheese, and bake uncovered for about 10 minutes more, until the topping is crisp and the casserole is hot throughout.
  • Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use long-grain white rice unless you adjust the broth and cooking time to match another rice variety. If using rotisserie chicken, stir it in after the rice and broccoli have cooked.