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.
Ivory says
This casserole looks so amazingly delicious, and I will be making it tomorrow. Thans for sharing. Yum!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Enjoy!
Susan Martin says
I went to Costco yesterday and picked up a rotisserie chicken. When I got home, my husband didn’t seem thrilled to just be having that for dinner with a salad. I quickly googled casserole recipes with rotisserie chicken and broccoli because I had fresh broccoli in the fridge that I wanted to use. Your recipe came up, and luckily, I had all of the ingredients, including the corn flakes (I make funeral potatoes often and use the cornflakes in the recipe). This was so quick and easy. I had Trader Joe’s frozen rice that I microwaved for 3 minutes and added it in. The was delicious and tasted like I had slaved away in the kitchen for hours. The fresh broccoli really made it great. No need for any other seasoning or adjustments. Thank you for sharing. This recipe is now book marked in my favorites.
Jen says
Hi Trish,
I am going to try out your cheesy chicken broccoli and rice casserole tonight. Can you tell me what size can of cream of chicken soup you used?
Emily says
OMG! It looks so good! I’m definitely going to try this recipe this week!
Nicole says
I used crushed nacho cheese Doritos instead of cornflakes! Our family loves Doritos ❤
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Oh YUMMY!
Cherry says
On your recipes, you mention butter, do you use salt or unsalted butter? I NEVER know which when I read anyone’s recipes!
Please HELP!…Thank You, Trish
Vicky says
I had all the ingredients in the house including roast chicken leftovers and cooked rice! How did that happen? :}
Tasty. I would add some sauteed onions, mushrooms, and garlic next time. Thanks for sharing. French fried onion rings as a topper sounds good too.
Hillary says
I’m doing an personal challenge to cook using ingredients I already have (instead of always buying the exact thing), and this recipe is a fabulous base and guide for assembling the version I made with what I had on hand! I had 2.5 cups brown rice, I had only Colby jack cheese (instead of maybe cheddar that you used), frozen broccoli, and used bread crumbs as the topping. Your recipe was such a help! I sprinkled in some seasonings I knew my family would like (a salt-free garlic and herb mix). Thank you so much!! Saved and pinned for sure!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Excellent! I think I need to participate in that same challenge lol! Time to clean out the pantry 🙂 Yes, this recipe is super versatile and we love playing with it a little each and every time we make it. It’s a great starting point. Thanks for stopping by!
Athena says
This has become a staple in our house since the first time I saw your recipe years ago. I have tried rice variations (brown rice, riced cauliflower) and our family’s favourite topping is crushed Ritz. The kids like to help which is amazing too. I am so thankful for you posting this, it definitely has a home in my recipe box.
Nirvana Candova says
Hey. I was wondering if I can skip the mayonnaise and shredded cheese and replace it with vegan almonds cheese instead. Not because I am a vegan but because I wish to remove the fatty ingredients. Please let me know.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I haven’t tried it like that so I couldn’t say for sure. Let me know if you give it a go!
Kristen Baker says
I was trying to read through the comments for advice but if I use fresh broccoli does it need to be cooked before baking the casserole in the oven?
Kathleen says
i made this with a brown & wild rice blend – the rice on its own is sooooo yummy. i also used the french fried onions (the ones used on the traditional green bean casserole that always makes an appearance at Thanksgiving)…. i see so many possibilities for variations. This was really good! and great for my family who all have crazy schedules and are not necessarily home at the same time for dinner…. definitely a keeper….
Trina Bowers says
I have a super picky eater who will not eat a green vegetable if he sees it hiding in anything. UGH! If you want to play “hide the veggies,” you might try this delicious variation! I started with Trish’s wonderful recipe and made some modifications. I also used sour cream instead of mayo and Ritz (flavor & light crunch) instead of cornflakes (less flavor, major crunch). Instead of broccoli, I carrot peeled the green skin away and grated 2 cups of zucchini and minced 1/2 of a sweet yellow onion and sauteed them together in olive oil for 10 minutes on a higher temp and until much of the moisture in the zucchini had evaporated. Then I added it to the rest of the ingredients and followed the recipe. It was a-MAZING-ly delicious. I tried this recipe as-is originally and I totally loved it, but I wanted to get my son to eat something similar since he was trying to pick around the broccoli.
Christine Titus says
So easy and so tasty. Both kids came back for seconds. I’m not sure why there is no seasonings in the recipe, but I did add salt and pepper to taste when I mixed everything together. I’m quite glad I did. It was delish! My favorite part besides the kids coming back for seconds, is that it takes almost no time to prepare. I always keep chopped cooked chicken in my freezer for casseroles like this one, and I had a package of frozen broccoli florets in there as well, and just thawed both of those things out before cooking time. Delish and budget friendly!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So glad to hear it Christine! And yes, salt and pepper to taste 🙂
AArti says
My favorite! I make this about twice a month!