Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
This cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole is a comforting family meal. It’s a delicious way to bring chicken, rice, and vegetables together in one satisfying dish!
Ingredients
- 3 chicken cutlets
- 2 fresh broccoli bunches, chopped
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 1/4 mozzarella cheese
- 3 oz cream cheese
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbs butter
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 3 fresh garlic cloves
Seasonings
For the chicken:
- Pepper
- Lawry’s
- Cavender’s
- Smoked paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
For the cheese sauce:
- Cajun seasoning
- Garlic pepper
How to make the Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Prepare the chicken
Cut the chicken cutlets into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle with olive oil. Season with pepper, Lawry’s Seasoned Salt, Cavender’s salt-free seasonings, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Cook the chicken
Heat a skillet over medium heat and pan-sear the seasoned chicken until fully cooked. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
Sauté the vegetables
In the same pan, melt the butter. Add the chopped onions and fresh garlic, and sauté until softened and fragrant. Add a splash of chicken broth.
Make the creamy sauce
Add the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir and allow the mixture to simmer gently.
Add the cheese
Stir in the sharp cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese. Allow the cheese to melt, then add the cream cheese. Stir until smooth and melted. Season with Cajun seasoning and garlic pepper to taste.
Combine the ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, chopped broccoli, cooked chicken, and creamy cheese sauce. Mix until everything is evenly coated.
Layer the casserole
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Transfer the broccoli, rice, and chicken mixture to a baking dish in layers. Layer the mixture with the remaining mozzarella cheese and repeat.
Bake
Bake uncovered at 375°F for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Broil until golden
Place the casserole under the broiler until the cheese is golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning. Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tina’s Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can steam your broccoli before adding it to the casserole. Steam it until it is just tender but still slightly firm, since it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain any excess water.
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 chicken cutlets
- 2 fresh broccoli bunches chopped
- 3 cups cooked rice
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 1/4 mozzarella cheese
- 3 oz cream cheese
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbs butter
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 3 fresh garlic cloves
Seasonings
For the chicken:
- Pepper
- Lawry’s
- Cavender’s
- Smoked paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
For the cheese sauce:
- Cajun seasoning
- Garlic pepper
Instructions
Prepare the chicken
- Cut the chicken cutlets into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle with olive oil. Season with pepper, Lawry’s Seasoned Salt, Cavender’s salt-free seasonings, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Cook the chicken
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and pan-sear the seasoned chicken until fully cooked. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
Sauté the vegetables
- In the same pan, melt the butter. Add the chopped onions and fresh garlic, and sauté until softened and fragrant. Add a splash of chicken broth.
Make the creamy sauce
- Add the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir and allow the mixture to simmer gently.
Add the cheese
- Stir in the sharp cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese. Allow the cheese to melt, then add the cream cheese. Stir until smooth and melted. Season with Cajun seasoning and garlic pepper to taste.
Combine the ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, chopped broccoli, cooked chicken, and creamy cheese sauce. Mix until everything is evenly coated.
Layer the casserole
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Transfer the broccoli, rice, and chicken mixture to a baking dish in layers. Layer the mixture with the remaining mozzarella cheese and repeat.
Bake
- Bake uncovered at 375°F for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Broil until golden
- Place the casserole under the broiler until the cheese is golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning. Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.