This one pot cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole is pure comfort food! Ready in just 30 minutes with tender chicken, fluffy rice, fresh broccoli, and loads of melted cheddar cheese—all cooked together in one skillet. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need an easy, family-friendly dinner with minimal cleanup!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Rice Casserole
Ready in 30 Minutes – From start to finish, this quick dinner is on the table in half an hour!
One Pot Meal – Everything cooks in a single skillet for easy cleanup. No multiple pots and pans to wash!
Ultimate Comfort Food – Cheesy, creamy, and incredibly satisfying. The whole family will love it!
Kid-Friendly – Loaded with chicken, rice, and cheese in a way that even picky eaters enjoy the broccoli.
Budget-Friendly – Uses simple, affordable ingredients to create an impressive meal.
Make-Ahead Friendly – Prep the night before and cook when ready for an even easier dinner.
Ingredients for Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into small cubes (or use chicken thighs)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup uncooked long-grain rice (like Basmati)
- 10 oz (1 can) cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (may need more)
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus more for topping)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
How to Make One Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Step 1: Cook Chicken and Onion
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cubed chicken. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken starts to brown and is no longer pink inside. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Add Garlic
Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant and aromatic. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
Step 3: Add Rice and Liquids
Add uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir well to combine everything. Start with 2 cups of broth—you can add more later if needed.
Step 4: Cook the Rice
Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover with a lid and let cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is fully cooked and tender. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Step 5: Add Broccoli and Cheese
Stir in broccoli florets and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Continue cooking uncovered for 2 more minutes until broccoli softens slightly but still has a bit of bite.
Step 6: Top with More Cheese
Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top. Cover with lid and let sit for 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese. For extra cheesy, bubbly goodness, place the skillet under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until cheese browns slightly (only if using oven-safe skillet).
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Remove from heat, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately. Enjoy this cheesy, comforting meal!
Pro Tips for Perfect Chicken Rice Casserole
Use an Oven-Safe Skillet – A cast iron or oven-safe skillet allows you to broil the cheese at the end for that golden, bubbly top.
Don’t Overcook the Broccoli – Add it near the end so it stays tender-crisp, not mushy.
Adjust Liquid as Needed – Different rice brands absorb different amounts of liquid. Start with 2 cups broth and add more if rice seems dry.
Cube Chicken Evenly – Cut chicken into uniform 1-inch pieces for even cooking.
Use Fresh Garlic – Fresh minced garlic has the best flavor, but you can substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder if needed.
Stir Occasionally – This prevents rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Let It Rest – After removing from heat, let it sit for 2-3 minutes. This helps everything set and makes serving easier.
Use Rotisserie Chicken – For an even quicker meal, skip cooking raw chicken. Add shredded rotisserie chicken when you add the broccoli.
No Cream of Chicken Soup? Make Your Own!
If you don’t have cream of chicken soup, make this simple substitute:
Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup milk
- ⅓ cup chicken broth
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour to create a paste. Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth until smooth. Season with onion powder, salt, and pepper. Continue whisking until creamy.
Other Substitutes: Cream of mushroom soup or cream of broccoli soup work perfectly too!
Substitutions and Variations
Chicken Options:
- Use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts
- Substitute with rotisserie chicken (add with broccoli)
- Try turkey breast for a leaner option
Rice Choices:
- Brown rice: Takes longer to cook (30-40 minutes) and needs more liquid
- Instant rice: Reduces cooking time significantly
- Cauliflower rice: For low-carb version (add at the end, don’t cook as long)
Vegetable Add-Ins:
- Mushrooms
- Bell peppers
- Cauliflower
- Peas
- Carrots
Cheese Variations:
- Colby Jack
- Monterey Jack
- Pepper Jack for spicy kick
- Mozzarella for extra stretch
Frozen Broccoli: Thaw and pat completely dry before adding to prevent excess moisture
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Reheating:
- Microwave: Heat individual portions for 2-3 minutes until hot
- Oven: Cover and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, then uncover for 5 minutes (use oven-safe dish)
- From Frozen: Can reheat directly from frozen in microwave or oven (add extra time)
Make-Ahead Instructions
Prep Night Before: Complete steps 1-3, then cover skillet with lid or aluminum foil and refrigerate. The next day, continue with remaining steps as written. This is perfect for busy weeknight planning!
Recipe Variations
Chicken Bacon Ranch: Add ½ cup cooked crumbled bacon and 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
Mexican Style: Use pepper jack cheese, add cumin and chili powder, top with cilantro
Italian Style: Add Italian seasoning, use mozzarella cheese, finish with parmesan
Lighter Version: Use Greek yogurt instead of cream soup, reduce cheese to ½ cup
Vegetarian Option: Omit chicken, add extra vegetables like mushrooms and bell peppers, use cream of mushroom soup
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice? Yes! Brown rice takes 30-40 minutes to cook and requires more liquid. Add an extra ½-1 cup of broth and increase cooking time.
What if my rice is still hard? Add ¼ cup more broth at a time and continue cooking covered until rice is tender.
Can I make this without cream of chicken soup? Absolutely! Use the homemade version in the recipe notes, or substitute cream of mushroom or cream of broccoli soup.
Is this recipe gluten-free? Almost! Use a gluten-free cream soup or make the homemade version with gluten-free flour.
Can I double this recipe? Yes, but you’ll need a very large skillet or Dutch oven. Cooking time may increase slightly.
What if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet? No problem! Just cover with the lid to melt the cheese instead of broiling. Or transfer to a casserole dish if you want to broil.
Can I prep this in advance? Yes! Prepare through step 3, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Continue cooking the next day.
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cubed chicken. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add uncooked rice, cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir to combine. Start with 2 cups of broth — you can add more later if needed.
- Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Stir in broccoli florets and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Cook uncovered for 2 more minutes until broccoli softens slightly but remains bright green.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Cover for 1–2 minutes to melt, or broil 2–3 minutes for a golden bubbly top if using an oven-safe skillet.
- Remove from heat, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve immediately for the ultimate cheesy comfort dinner!
Notes
• Use an oven-safe skillet so you can broil the top at the end.
• Add broccoli near the end to keep it tender-crisp.
• Different rice brands absorb liquid differently — add more broth if needed.
• Rotisserie chicken works great for an even faster version (add with broccoli). Homemade Cream of Chicken Substitute:
3 Tbsp butter, ⅓ cup flour, ⅓ cup milk, ⅓ cup chicken broth, ¼ tsp onion powder, salt & pepper. Cook together until thickened and creamy. Storage:
Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat in microwave or oven until hot.
