Claire Thompson
Chicken, broccoli, and rice casserole is a hearty, creamy, and cheesy dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. The casserole is made even better with a few simple additions and sides. A dry rub on the chicken and a buttery Ritz cracker topping are great additions to the casserole itself. For sides, a fresh, crisp salad is a great way to balance out the richness of the casserole. Alternatively, roasted vegetables such as carrots, celery, and peppers would also pair well with the dish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 10 minutes |
| Cooking time | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Main ingredients | Chicken, broccoli, rice, cheese, soup |
| Chicken type | Boneless skinless chicken breasts, thighs, canned chunk chicken, rotisserie chicken |
| Broccoli type | Fresh, frozen, blanched |
| Rice type | Long grain, instant, uncooked |
| Cheese type | Cheddar, processed, Colby Jack, Velveeta |
| Soup type | Condensed cream of chicken, mushroom, celery, broccoli |
| Additional ingredients | Onion, garlic, milk, butter, crackers, Ritz crackers, carrots, celery, green pepper, olive oil, chicken broth, salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano, chives, parsley, seasoned salt |
| Storage | Can be frozen for up to 3 months, stored in the fridge for 3-4 days |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole with Ritz topping
Ingredients
- Chicken (cooked or uncooked)
- Broccoli (fresh or frozen)
- Rice (uncooked, preferably long-grain white rice)
- Butter
- Ritz Crackers
- Condensed soup (cream of chicken, mushroom, or celery)
- Milk
- Sour cream
- Cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Colby Jack, or processed)
- Seasoning (salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano, chives, seasoned salt, or parsley)
Method
- If using uncooked chicken, dice it into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle on the seasonings.
- Add in the raw broccoli, uncooked rice, soup, sour cream, and cheese.
- Stir all the ingredients together and pour them into a greased casserole dish.
- Sprinkle the crushed Ritz Crackers over the casserole and drizzle with melted butter.
- Bake, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, until the casserole is bubbly.
- Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips
- If using frozen broccoli, thaw and pat it dry before adding to the casserole.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking.
- To reheat, bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit to crisp up the topping.
- For a healthier option, substitute nonfat Greek yogurt for sour cream.
- For extra cheese, sprinkle some on top of the casserole and broil for an additional 5 minutes.
- If using brown rice, wild rice, or instant rice, adjust the cooking time and amount of liquid accordingly.
Enjoy your Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole with Ritz topping!
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Using fresh vs. frozen broccoli
Chicken broccoli rice casserole is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be made with either fresh or frozen broccoli. The recipe calls for a simple combination of chicken, broccoli, rice, and condensed soup, which can be easily customised with various herbs and spices.
Using fresh broccoli in the casserole requires chopping the vegetable into bite-sized florets. This adds a crunchy texture to the dish and allows for more control over the size of the broccoli pieces. Fresh broccoli also provides a brighter colour and flavour to the casserole.
On the other hand, frozen broccoli is a convenient option that can be added directly to the casserole without any additional preparation. It is already blanched (partially cooked), and during baking, it becomes very soft. Frozen broccoli also adds extra liquid to the dish, which the rice absorbs as it cooks. If a softer texture is desired, the frozen broccoli can be thawed, patted dry, and steamed before adding it to the casserole.
Both fresh and frozen broccoli are suitable for this casserole recipe, and the choice depends on personal preference and convenience. Frozen broccoli may be preferred for its ease of use, while fresh broccoli can add a crisp texture and vibrant colour to the dish.
When preparing this casserole, it is important to note that the rice should be uncooked long-grain white rice, as other types of rice require different amounts of liquid and cooking times. The chicken can be raw or cooked, diced into bite-sized pieces, and seasoned with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. The condensed soup can be cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, or cream of celery, depending on your preference.
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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole with cream of mushroom soup
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a delicious and comforting meal that can be easily whipped up on busy weeknights. The recipe is versatile and can be adapted to your taste preferences. Here is a detailed guide to making this mouth-watering dish with cream of mushroom soup:
Ingredients:
For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken, shredded or diced into bite-sized pieces.
- Long-grain white rice (uncooked).
- Frozen broccoli florets (or fresh broccoli chopped into bite-sized pieces).
- Cream of mushroom soup (condensed).
- Milk or broth.
- Butter.
- Crackers or breadcrumbs (optional for topping).
- Cheddar cheese (optional).
- Seasonings of your choice (e.g., salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, etc.).
Instructions:
Now, let's get into the cooking process:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
- In the prepared dish, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup and milk or broth. You can also add milk to the condensed soup for a creamier texture.
- Stir in the uncooked rice, ensuring it is well-coated with the liquid mixture.
- Add the uncooked chicken pieces and frozen broccoli florets.
- Season generously with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you prefer. Feel free to add herbs like parsley, thyme, basil, oregano, or chives for extra flavour.
- Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil to ensure that no steam or liquid escapes during cooking.
- Bake for approximately 55-60 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed, the rice is tender, and the chicken is cooked through.
- After baking, fluff the rice with a fork to ensure it is light and fluffy. Do not stir with a spoon, as this can compact the grains.
- If you wish to add cheese, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
- For a crunchy topping, melt some butter and crush crackers or breadcrumbs over the casserole before serving.
Tips and Variations:
- You can assemble this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking.
- If using frozen broccoli, consider thawing and patting it dry, or steaming it briefly for a softer texture in the casserole.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, such as Colby, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella.
- For a spicy kick, add some tamed jalapeños to the mix.
- If you prefer fresh broccoli, simply chop it into bite-sized florets and add it to the casserole.
- You can also use cooked chicken instead of raw chicken, reducing the baking time accordingly.
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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole with raw vs. cooked chicken
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a quick, easy, and delicious meal that can be made with either raw or cooked chicken. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights as it requires minimal prep and can be made in one dish. The dump-and-bake method allows you to simply combine all the ingredients and pop it into the oven.
If you're starting with raw chicken, look for a recipe that calls for uncooked chicken, rice, and broccoli. This type of recipe is designed specifically for raw chicken, so you won't need to pre-cook it. Simply dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it to the casserole dish with the other ingredients. This method requires extra liquid in the pan, as the rice will absorb liquid during cooking, and extra cooking time to ensure the chicken is cooked through.
On the other hand, if you prefer to use cooked chicken, you can find recipes that call for shredded or diced cooked chicken, such as rotisserie chicken. With this approach, you'll mix the cooked chicken with the other ingredients in a prepared baking dish and bake it until everything is heated through and the cheese is melted. This option is great if you have leftover cooked chicken or want to save time by using a store-bought rotisserie chicken.
Both methods result in a tasty and comforting Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole. The main difference lies in the preparation of the chicken and the cooking time. Using raw chicken requires a bit more time in the oven to ensure it's cooked, while the cooked chicken option can be faster and more convenient if you already have cooked chicken on hand.
When it comes to ingredients, you can get creative and add your favourite herbs and spices. Some popular options include paprika, thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, seasoned salt, and parsley. Don't be afraid to experiment and make the recipe your own!
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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole with instant rice
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a delicious, creamy, and comforting meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. It is a dump-and-bake recipe, which means there is minimal prep work and you can simply combine all the ingredients in a casserole dish and bake them together. This recipe uses instant rice, which is quick and convenient.
Ingredients
- Chicken: You can use raw chicken that is diced into bite-sized pieces, or cooked chicken such as rotisserie chicken.
- Broccoli: Frozen broccoli florets are convenient and become soft during baking. You can also use fresh broccoli chopped into bite-sized florets.
- Rice: This recipe specifically uses instant rice, which is quick and easy to prepare.
- Condensed Soup: Condensed cream of chicken soup is a key ingredient that adds flavour and a creamy texture. You can substitute it with other flavours like cream of mushroom or cream of celery.
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese is a popular choice, but you can also use processed cheese or American cheese slices for a creamier texture.
- Seasonings: You can season the casserole with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, thyme, rosemary, or other herbs and spices of your choice.
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare the rice by bringing water to a boil in a medium saucepan, adding the instant rice, covering, and removing from heat. Let it stand for about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix the prepared rice, chicken, broccoli, condensed soup, cheese, and seasonings.
- Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish.
- Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for about 30 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it stand for a few minutes before serving.
Feel free to customise the recipe by adding other ingredients like carrots, celery, or cauliflower. You can also top the casserole with crushed crackers or fried onions for a crunchy texture. This casserole can also be made ahead and frozen, and it reheats well in the oven or microwave.
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Frequently asked questions
Ingredients include chicken, broccoli, rice, and a creamy sauce. Chicken can be grilled, baked, or rotisserie, and broccoli can be fresh or frozen. The creamy sauce is usually made with condensed soup, milk, and seasonings.
It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. It can also be frozen for up to three months.
This casserole is a one-dish meal, so all the ingredients can be mixed and baked together. It's a simple recipe with minimal prep, and the rice does not need to be cooked beforehand. However, it's important to ensure that the rice is tender and fully cooked, and the chicken is juicy and not dry.
