Easy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

Published Jan 19, 2024 By Elle Ann

Image credit: Currytrail via YouTube

This recipe by Currytrail on YouTube is the perfect meal to enjoy for lunch or dinner, it’s so delicious and hearty and will surely leave you with a full and satisfied stomach. I tried making it once for a mealtime and it was one of the best dishes I have ever had, even my family thinks so!

What I love about this recipe is how easy it is to prepare and the fact that this casserole already has everything you’re looking for in a meal, it has veggies, rice, and meat! Plus, if you’re on a tight budget, you can use your leftovers in the fridge.

Ingredients for Chicken Broccoli Rice:

5 cups of broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces
1½ cups of long-grain rice
2 chicken breasts, boneless and diced
1 tbsp of Italian seasoning
1½ tbsp of olive oil
2¾ cups of chicken stock, low-sodium
2 tbsp of butter, unsalted
1 yellow onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tbsp of flour
1 tsp of mustard powder
1 tsp of cayenne pepper
¾ cup of milk
3 tbsp of cream cheese
2 cups of cheddar cheese, freshly grated
Salt and pepper, to taste

How to Make Chicken Broccoli Rice:

Step 1

Prepare the chicken and cut it into small bite-sized pieces, then put them in a large bowl, and season them with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and cayenne pepper. Give them a good toss until combined, place a pan on a stove over medium-high heat, add oil, and let it heat. Add the chicken, then cook them until seared on all sides, transfer to a separate bowl, and set aside. In the same pan, pour in the chicken stock, then add the rice to the boiling stock, and reduce the heat to low.

Step 2

Cover the pan with the lid, then cook the rice for about 10 to 12 minutes or until cooked through, transfer to a bowl, and set it aside. Now, rinse the broccoli, then chop them into small bite-sized pieces, and add them to a pot of boiling water. Let them boil for about 2 minutes, then remove them using a slotted spoon, and place them in a bowl. Place a pan on a stove over medium heat, then melt the butter, add the yellow onions, and saute them until softened.

Easy to Make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole — Image credit: Currytrail via YouTube

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Step 3

Add the minced garlic, then saute for a minute, add the flour, dry mustard powder, salt, pepper, and remaining cayenne pepper, and give them a good stir. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then keep stirring until the flour is cooked through, and slowly pour in the milk while whisking consistently. Continue to cook the sauce for a few minutes over low heat, then add the cream cheese and half of the cheese, and whisk continuously over low heat until the cheese is melted and incorporated.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, add the broccoli, cooked chicken, cooked rice, and cheese sauce, then fold everything until well combined, and transfer the mixture to a baking dish greased with butter or nonstick cooking spray. Spread the mixture evenly, then sprinkle the remaining cheese all over the top, then allow it to bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 20 to 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly, and serve. Enjoy!