Description

This Pioneer Woman Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole is a hearty, comforting one-dish meal combining tender chicken, fluffy rice, fresh broccoli, and creamy cheese sauce, all baked to golden perfection with a crunchy Ritz cracker topping. Perfect for a family dinner or meal prep, it’s flavorful, easy to make, and packed with wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

2 tablespoons butter
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts or 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt & pepper to taste

Rice and Broth

2½ cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1¼ cups white long grain rice
2–3 cups broccoli florets

Creamy Sauce

10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
½ cup milk
½ cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
½ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Cracker Topping

1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

Brown the Chicken: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts seasoned with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until golden brown on both sides and fully cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside. If using rotisserie chicken, shred and skip this step.
Cook Rice and Broccoli: In the same skillet, add chicken broth, olive oil, and white long grain rice. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 6 minutes. Then add broccoli florets and continue simmering for an additional 9 minutes, until rice is tender and broccoli is bright green and slightly softened.
Let Rice Rest: Remove the skillet from heat, cover it with a lid, and let the rice and broccoli sit for 10 minutes. This allows the rice to finish cooking and absorb the liquid evenly.
Combine Ingredients: Stir in the cooked shredded chicken (or rotisserie chicken), cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, dried thyme, and garlic powder if using. Mix until everything is well combined and creamy.
Assemble and Bake: Transfer the mixture to a greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top. Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes.
Add Cracker Topping: Mix crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter until evenly coated. Remove the foil from the casserole and sprinkle the cracker mixture over the top. Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the topping is golden and crispy.
Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly for 5 minutes before serving. This will help it set and make serving easier.

Notes

Substitute rotisserie chicken to save time if desired.
Use fresh or frozen broccoli florets depending on availability.
Adjust seasoning like salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning according to your taste preference.
For a lower-calorie version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cheese.
Make sure to let the rice rest covered after cooking to get perfectly fluffy rice texture.
You can add extra veggies like mushrooms or bell peppers to enhance the nutritional value and flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Casserole, Main Dish
Method: Baking, Sautéing, Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 1/6 of casserole)
Calories: 380 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 25 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg

Keywords: chicken casserole, broccoli casserole, chicken rice bake, cheesy chicken casserole, easy dinner recipe, Pioneer Woman recipe