One Pot Broccoli, Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

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One Pot Broccoli, Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

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Prep

10 minutes

Cook

50 minutes

Yield

4

You'll love this cheese chicken and rice casserole because it's the ultimate comfort food that will have your whole family coming back for seconds.

This One Pot Broccoli, Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole is cozy, cheesy goodness – perfect for busy families looking for a yummy meal to please even the pickiest eaters. Whip up a big batch on Sunday, and you’ll have delicious, comforting meals sorted for the whole week

❤️ Why You’ll Love This One Pot Broccoli, Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

  • Comforting: This cheese chicken and rice casserole is so delicious and warming – perfect for those days when you need a little extra love on your plate.
  • Nutritious: The lean protein from the chicken, fiber-rich broccoli, and complex carbs from the rice make this well-balanced dish a great choice for keeping you satisfied and energized all day long.
  • Family-Friendly: This One Pot Broccoli, Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole is a surefire hit for the whole family. It combines familiar flavors and textures in one easy, comforting dish.
Hands cradle a white bowl filled with a golden, creamy Cheese Chicken and Rice Casserole. The dish showcases tender pieces of chicken nestled among cheesy rice, with flecks of herbs visible throughout.

🍲 Ingredients

Chicken thighs – This recipe uses bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. They add an incredible flavor, keep the meat super juicy, and pack in essential nutrients like protein, iron, and B vitamins.

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Basmati riceThis cheese chicken and rice casserole is made with basmati rice, a fluffy grain with a naturally nutty aroma. Its lower glycemic index makes it a smarter carb choice that’ll keep you feeling satisfied for longer.

👩‍🍳 How to Make This One Pot Broccoli, Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

  1. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper and set aside.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350F.
  3. Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to an oven safe skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, turn to medium heat and add the chicken thighs skin side down. Cook until the skin is golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes and then remove the chicken to a plate or bowl and set aside.
  4. Add the diced onion to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until just softened. Then, add the minced garlic, salt, pepper, dried oregano and dried thyme. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the rice and stir well to coat with the oils in the pan.
  5. Stir in the broccoli florets.
  6. Stir in the chicken broth, cream and cream cheese and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, stir in the cubes of white cheddar cheese and add the chicken back on top of the rice and any juices from the plate / bowl back to the pan as well.
  7. Cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil and transfer to the preheated oven and bake until cooked through to 165F, about 30-35 minutes.
  8. Once the chicken is cooked through, remove from the oven and fluff the rice a bit with a fork.
  9. Serve topped with fresh parsley.
A white casserole dish showcasing tender pieces of chicken nestled among cheesy rice, with flecks of herbs visible throughout.

🪄 Tips and Tricks

  • No white cheddar? Regular cheddar will work just as well in this recipe – it’s all about using what you already have in your kitchen.
  • Meal-prep this cheese chicken and rice casserole to help you conquer a busy week ahead. Whip up a big batch on Sunday, portion it out into containers, and voila – you’ve got cozy, comforting meals ready to go for those busy weeknights when cooking is the last thing on your mind.
  • Round out this cozy meal with some crusty bread or warm, fluffy pitas on the side.


🗒 Substitutions

  • Chicken: While I’m all about those juicy bone-in thighs, boneless thighs or even drums can totally work in this dish. Chicken breasts are an option, too, but although still tasty, they will not bring quite the same level of moisture and succulence to the dish.
  • Basmati rice: Don’t have basmati rice? You can use other rice varieties. Just keep in mind that different rice types might need slight adjustments in cooking time and liquid – but don’t worry, your cheese chicken and rice casserole will still be delicious!
  • Cheese: If you don’t have white cheddar cheese, swap it for regular cheddar cheese.


🗒 Best served with

Hands cradle a white bowl filled with a golden, creamy Cheese Chicken and Rice Casserole. The dish showcases tender pieces of chicken nestled among cheesy rice, with flecks of herbs visible throughout.

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze this cheese chicken and rice casserole for up to 3 months.

🤔 Common Questions

How do you know when your casserole is cooked?

The top of your cheese chicken and rice casserole should be golden brown and bubbly, and when you give it a little shake, it should be set in the middle, not jiggly.

Can you freeze a casserole?

This casserole freezes beautifully – just make sure it’s completely cooled, wrap it up tight in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty foil, and pop it in the freezer. It’ll keep well for up to 3 months.

One Pot Broccoli, Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

5 from 4 votes
You'll love this cheese chicken and rice casserole because it's the ultimate comfort food that will have your whole family coming back for seconds.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American-Inspired
Servings 4
Calories 719 kcal
Shop Ingredients on Jupiter

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350F.
  • Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper and set aside.
  • Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to an oven safe skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, turn to medium heat and add the chicken thighs skin side down. Cook until the skin is golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes and then remove the chicken to a plate or bowl and set aside.
  • Add the diced onion to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until just softened. Then, add the minced garlic, salt, pepper, dried oregano and dried thyme. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the rice and stir well to coat with the oils in the pan.
  • Stir in the broccoli florets.
  • Stir in the chicken broth, cream and cream cheese and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, stir in the cubes of white cheddar cheese and add the chicken back on top of the rice and any juices from the plate / bowl back to the pan as well.
  • Cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil and transfer to the preheated oven and bake until cooked through to 165F, about 30-35 minutes.
  • Once the chicken is cooked through, remove from the oven and fluff the rice a bit with a fork.
  • Serve topped with fresh parsley.

Video

Notes

  • If you don’t have white cheddar cheese, easily swap for regular cheddar cheese.
  • If you like this recipe, try our Oven Baked Chicken and Rice

Nutrition

Calories: 719kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 46.1g | Fat: 50.5g | Saturated Fat: 17.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 20.1g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 256.5mg | Sodium: 1319.8mg | Fiber: 1.9g | Sugar: 3.8g
Review This Recipe Let us know how it was!

Natalie Heller

This looks perfect for a hearty family meal!! Can’t wait to try it! Where can I find this cookware? It’s beautiful!

Maria Koutsogiannis

Thank you so much hun! This is from Le Creuset – it’s the Oblong Casserole Dish.

Deziray

5 stars
Incredible and easy!! Perfect for the fall… My wife is still talking about it 🙂

Maria Koutsogiannis

that makes me so happy! Thank you so much for making my recipe!!!!

Annette

5 stars
This was absolutely delicious! I grew up on the old-school way of rice and chicken bake using cream of chicken soup, and this tasted sooo much better. It was so easy to make too, thank you for sharing the recipe.

Maria Koutsogiannis

Thank you so much for the love, hunnie! you are so sweet!

Shea Summers

5 stars
I love when a recipe turns out just like the pictures. Time and time again I have followed recipes and find myself adding a little bit of this or it needs more of that but not this one. This one is delicious just the way it is. A fool proof recipe and new home staple!

Maria Koutsogiannis

thank you so much for the love hun!!!!

Karson T

5 stars
Another delicious recipe! Even without the cheese, the rice comes out really tasty.

Maria Koutsogiannis

thank you so much, karson!

5 from 4 votes

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