This cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is the EASIEST meal you’ll make all week and is sure to become a new family favorite! Made with rotisserie chicken, this time-saving recipe is perfect for weeknights and is a hit with kids and adults alike! Don’t forget the dinner rolls to serve alongside this delicious dinner!
Looking for more easy casserole recipes? Make sure to try my Cheeseburger Casserole, Cheesy Green Chile Rice Casserole and Rotisserie Chicken and Rice Casserole!
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Casseroles are the perfect weeknight meal and we just happen to LOVE them around here. Our very favorite casserole recipe is this Chicken and Rice Casserole and it’s one of the most-requested meals from both the boys and Chris – they just can’t get enough of it!
I decided to mix it up a bit last night and after spotting the gigantic bag of broccoli in the fridge that I had picked up at Costco over the weekend. I knew a cheesy broccoli version was the way to go – and I was right!
Easy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
I love this casserole recipe because it’s about as easy as dinner can be. You guys, I don’t even use a bowl. I mix it right up in the baking dish. I’m lazy, what can I say?
I’m using mostly store bought ingredients here so dinner comes together super fast. You will need cooked rice but leftover rice works too so use it if you have it.
What Size Baking Dish Do I Need?
Tis casserole recipe would totally fit in a 9×9 or even an 8×8 baking dish but one of our favorite parts of this recipe is the corn flake topping.
We like as much topping as we can get so we use a 9×13 baking dish. It’s amazing! I drizzle a little bit of melted butter right over the cornflakes before throwing it in the oven – heavenly!
Broccoli Rice Casserole Ingredients
Quickly mix the ingredients together, minus the topping ingredients (corn flakes and butter), add the topping and all you need is 30 minutes in the oven for casserole perfection.
- rotisserie chicken – or any other cooked chicken
- broccoli – see notes in recipe for using frozen broccoli
- minutes in the oven is all you need for casserole perfection.
- cream of chicken soup – any cream soup will work: mushroom, celery, etc. I use the “healthy” version and/or low sodium if I can find it.
- cooked rice – brown or white rice works, just make sure you cook it beforehand
- shredded cheese
- mayonnaise – lots of readers sub in greek yogurt or sour cream or a combination. Just make sure you have a total of half a cup. The greek yogurt is a great way to make this a healthy chicken casserole.
- seasoning – salt and pepper to taste and any other seasoning you like. Garlic powder and onion powder are reader favorites.
- corn flakes
- butter
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Customizations
One of the most delicious ways to customize this casserole is with the topping. Here are some to consider:
- Ritz Crackers – treat this ingredient the same way you would the cornflakes (other crackers works as well). Chicken broccoli rice casserole with ritz crackers is a favorite around here!
- Breadcrumbs – you could use plain or flavored bread crumbs. Mix with 3 tablespoons of butter before sprinkling over the top.
- Cornflakes + Shredded Cheese – use any kind of cheese you like.
- Potato Chips – use your favorite to add flavor and crunch
- French Fried Onions – a reader favorite, this adds both crunch and flavor to the casserole – so good!
- Panko – just make to toss this with plenty of butter and seasoning. Paprika and garlic powder and delicious!
What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?
This yummy, cheesy casserole is pure comfort food that is perfect for busy weeknights. I used rotisserie chicken in my recipe, but any cooked chicken will work perfectly. It’s a great way to use up leftovers!
I think the broccoli and cheese version of this casserole was a huge success with my family and a great variation to our go-to recipe.
I’m looking forward to trying out some new flavor combinations soon!
Can This Casserole Be Made Ahead?
Yes! It sure can!
- Complete the first two steps in the instructions and then add the topping just before you’re ready to bake.
- Let the casserole dish come to room temperature while the oven is preheating and add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time.
This delicious and easy casserole recipe is one of several that inspired my new book 100 Creative Ways to Use Rotisserie Chicken in Everyday Meals. I love using rotisserie chicken to create meals that my family will love. You’ll find casseroles, bakes, comfort food, soups, sandwiches and more!
I have an entire chapter devoted to meals you can can create in 20 minutes or less and another devoted to recipes with 5 ingredients or less. This cookbook is filled with simple and fast recipes that your whole family will love. Check it out!
Can This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Be Frozen
Yes! This casserole makes a great dish to bring over to new mamas or friends recovering from illness too.
- Since this casserole takes just as long to reheat as it does to cook, I would recommend preparing through the second step in a freezer safe, oven safe baking dish.
- Defrost the casserole for 24 hours in the fridge.
- Then, when you’re ready to bake, let the casserole dish come to room temperature while the oven is preheating and add an extra 10 minutes to the cooking time.
More Easy Casseroles To Try
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Tuna Casserole with Noodles
- Twice Baked Potato Casserole
- Loaded BBQ Pork Potato Casserole
- Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
How To Make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups of diced rotisserie chicken or any other cooked chicken}
- 2 cups broccoli florets broken down into bite-sized pieces
- 1 can cream of chicken soup can use low-sodium or Healthy Request
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2-3/4 cup crushed corn flakes
- 2 tbsp butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350‡F. Combine all ingredients into a greased 9×13 baking dish. I use a 9×13 because we like extra room for our corn flakes {more crunch!} but this recipe will fit into an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish.
- Mix up all the ingredients except corn flakes and butter right in the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the crushed corn flakes over the top of the casserole.
- Drizzle melted butter over the top.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until casserole is heated through.
Notes
Using Frozen Broccoli?
I used fresh broccoli but frozen broccoli but can be substituted as long as you thaw it first.Nutrition
Originally published August 21, 2014.
Amy says
I can’t abide mayo , I will use sour cream , perhaps with a tbsp ranch mixed into it …
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Sounds great Amy! Let me know how it turns out 🙂
Aly says
Made this for my family and they all LOVED it! I cooked my own chicken breasts first and seasoned them and also substituted the corn flakes for Trader Joe’s Gorgonzola crackers. Soooo good and lots of flavor. I have to say I liked it even better the next day. Thank you for this easy family friendly recipe! Great jumping off point for our own personal touches to the dish, I don’t think you can go wrong.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That’s exactly what this recipe is supposed to be Aly – a jumping off point. I’m so glad you added your own spin to it! Thanks for stopping by!
D. Furr says
Tried this using the Lundgren’s brown rice medley, which I pre-cooked in homemade chicken broth, adding 1 diced small onion and 1 clove of garlic which I microwaved together in a covered dish for 1 min (I bet you could add 1/3 c dehydrated onion as well). I also added 1.5 tsp of poultry seasoning and 2 tsp of thyme (fresh) and a very generous pinch of fresh ground pepper to the soup (I used Organic Pacific Cream of Chicken), based on the reviews saying some found it bland and just subbed 1/4 c of milk for the mayo. It was a keeper.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
LOVE these changes! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Stephanie B. says
Made this tonight with a couple of tweaks and doubled. Used the frozen broccoli with cheese sauce, precooked, since that’s all I had. Also used canned chicken that I had on hand, we love it for recipes like this. And used crushed potato chips on top (that’s our personal favorite). This was sooooo yummy. I don’t even want to think about how not good it is for me. So I won’t.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Sounds amazing Stephanie!! And yes, ignorance is bliss in situations like this 🙂
Tami says
I made a double batch of it, because I have boys that eat a lot.We all thought it was a little bland. So everyone added a different sauce on top. I have to say the next day leftovers were much more tastier.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks for the feedback Tami and I definitely want to try this with the onions – YUM!
laura says
This is so AMAZING even my pick 8 year old loves it.I swap the cornflakes for crushed French’s onion!
Tami says
I think my family would have liked that better adding French onions. Otherwise it was a little bland. Must try it your way next time.
Jamella says
You have some very nice recipes on your blog, I’m looking forward to try some of them during holiday season.
Anna says
Going to try this recipe this week! Did you leave the fresh broccoli raw before baking, then?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yep. Just throw it in raw Anna, Enjoy!
Lorna says
Can I get the nutritional information on this recipe?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I’m sure there are nutritional calculator sites – just google it and plug in the ingredients. Thanks!
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
How have I not pinned this for dinner yet?!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
LOL! Thanks Katrina!
Donna says
I just made this tonight and it was a big hit. Thank you for the recipe. So easy to put together. I didn’t have corn flakes so I just used breadcrumbs, didn’t use too much, as a thin layer on top.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Breadcrumbs work too! So glad you enjoyed the recipe Donna!
Shiela says
I used a wild rice blend since that’s what we had and no corn flakes so I’m using left over Garlic Cheese Bread potato chips minus the butter since they are greasy anyway. In the oven now, can’t wait to try it! Sounds yummy!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh my that sounds so good Shiela! Now I want to try this with wild rice 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Jeanne says
This was REALLY good! I added more broccoli and used shredded chicken I had in the freezer. And it’s so forgiving, you can substitute just about everything! Thanks so much for the post!
amanda says
What kind of cheese did you use?
Amanda says
I’m trying this recipe tonight, but I went to the store and forgot corn flakes! But I have bread crumbs that I made out of roasted vegetable Ritz crackers and i have crispix cereal. Going to try that and I also hate mayonnaise, so I’m trying sour cream instead! I didn’t want to buy a whole container of mayo, and have it go to waste! We will see how it turns out! 🙂 I’m definitely trying it with corn flakes next time!