This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for picky eaters and sure to be a hit with the whole family. It combines cheesy goodness, tender chicken, and nutritious broccoli in one hearty, family-friendly dish.
Casseroles are incredibly easy to prepare, making them an excellent choice for a hassle-free weeknight dinner. With minimal prep and a simple baking process, you can have a delicious, hearty meal that satisfies the whole family in no time! For more easy casserole ideas, check out our comforting Pierogi Casserole and this incredible Ground Beef Casserole.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen or can easily find at any grocery store. From the creamy chicken soup to the cheddar cheese, everything comes together without a fuss.
- One-Dish Wonder: Everything cooks together in one baking dish, making both preparation and cleanup a breeze. This convenience means you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal.
- Versatility: It’s easy to adjust this recipe to suit your taste or dietary needs. Not a fan of spice? Skip the Cajun seasoning. Need to use up different veggies? Swap them in. It’s a flexible recipe that can evolve with your pantry.
Ingredients
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
- Chicken Broth: or chicken stock, adds moisture and a rich base flavor, ensuring the rice cooks perfectly and infuses the casserole with a savory depth. If you’re watching the sodium content, buy chicken broth that is low in sodium.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: A can of this goodness creates a creamy texture and boosts the chicken flavor, acting as a thickening agent that binds all the components together.
- Knorr Cheddar Broccoli Rice and Pasta Blend: This mix provides a quick and flavorful foundation for the casserole, combining rice and pasta for a hearty texture, complemented by cheddar and broccoli flavors. It’s so easy to cook with, and it can be found at any supermarket. If you want to use plain rice, that’s totally fine.
- Frozen Broccoli: I always have a bag of frozen chopped broccoli in the freezer, and it comes in handy every time I want to add veg to a dish!
- Chicken Tenderloins: You can either use chicken tenders, or diced, or sliced chicken breasts or thighs.
- Cajun Seasoning, Paprika, Salt, and Pepper.
- Cheddar Cheese: Melts into a gooey, cheesy layer on top, adding a rich, comforting texture and a sharp, tangy flavor that ties everything together.
How To Make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Combine Broth and Canned Soup: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, whisk together chicken broth and cream of chicken soup.
- Add Rice Blend: Stir in the rice and pasta blend to the liquid mixture.
- Layer Broccoli: Scatter thawed broccoli over the rice and pasta, mixing slightly.
- Season Chicken: Mix the ground spices and coat the chicken tenderloins then place over the broccoli layer.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle everything with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover with foil, and bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes. The Chicken is ready when the internal temperature registers 165°F (74°C). Remove from the oven, allow to cool down for 5 minutes then serve.
Storing Tips
- Cool Before Storing: Let the casserole cool to room temperature before storing to prevent condensation inside the container, which could make the casserole soggy.
- Use Airtight Containers: Use airtight containers to store the leftover casserole. This helps keep the food fresh and prevents it from absorbing odors from the fridge.
- Portioning: It is always recommended that you portion out a casserole before storing, that way you only reheat what you’ll eat, preserving the quality of the rest.
- Fridge: Store the casserole in the fridge if you plan to eat it within 2-3 days. This keeps it safe and ready to reheat.
- Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze the casserole. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to protect against freezer burn. It can last up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Reheating: When ready to eat, you can reheat portions in the microwave or warm the entire casserole in the oven. If using the oven, cover with foil to prevent the top from burning and bake until heated through.
We hope you try this casserole and love it as much as our family does! If you decide to give it a try, share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. We love hearing from you!
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Recipe
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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
servings
This easy-to-make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is perfect for busy weeknights. With its creamy, cheesy goodness, tender chicken, and a hearty base of rice and pasta blend, it’s a dish that’s sure to be a hit with everyone at the table!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 14 ounces chicken broth
- 10 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 2 5-ounce bags Knorr cheddar broccoli rice and pasta blend
- 1 pound frozen and chopped broccoli thawed
- 1 ½ pound chicken tenderloins
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Take a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish and add the chicken broth and cream of chicken soup. Whisk them together until well combined.
- Pour the Knorr cheddar broccoli rice and pasta blends into the dish. Whisk again, ensuring the rice and pasta are fully coated and moist.
- In a small bowl, mix together the Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Season the chicken tenderloins evenly with this mixture.
- Scatter the thawed, chopped broccoli over the rice mixture, stirring to distribute. Place the seasoned chicken tenders on top, and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Quick Thaw: Microwave the broccoli to thaw it fast.
- Less Spice: Skip Cajun seasoning for a milder taste.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Cheese Tip: For extra gooeyness, add more cheese on top before the final 10 minutes of baking.
- Reheat Right: Warm up in the oven or microwave for the best taste.
Nutrition
Calories: 654kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 62g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 201mg | Sodium: 2237mg | Potassium: 1136mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2233IU | Vitamin C: 103mg | Calcium: 680mg | Iron: 3mg
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
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