Casseroles are one of my all-time favorite recipes. It is creative and versatile, so you can cook it with whatever ingredients you like. Make it with your favorite veggies, meat, cheese, pasta, or maybe rice. No matter what, it is still the best, and so is my chicken, broccoli, and rice casserole recipe.
A healthy and delicious casserole, this one contains all your favorite flavors and the essential ingredients your body requires. You can have it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even as an evening or midnight snack. What’s more, it is a complete meal in itself. With chicken, vegetables, and rice, it has something for every family member.
This casserole gives your family the pleasure of comfort food and the nutritional richness of fibrous vegetables and whole grains. It is a delicious, gut-friendly, cheesy yet heart-healthy dish that you can easily store and reheat to enjoy multiple times.
Why You Should Try This Chicken, Broccoli, & Rice Casserole Recipe
- This nutritious casserole recipe is rich in fiber and protein and also quite easy to prepare.
- It has a mix of ingredients, including veggies, chicken, and rice, making it a complete meal in itself.
- This chicken, broccoli, and rice recipe is super delicious with its cheesy blended flavors, making it the best meal for all.
Ingredients In Chicken, Broccoli, & Rice Casserole Recipe
- 12 oz chicken breast (boneless, skinless)
- 3 cups frozen broccoli florets
- 2 cups cooked whole-grain wild rice blend
- 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese (freshly grated, divided)
- 1/2 medium yellow onion (diced)
- 1 tbsp all-purpose or whole-wheat flour
- 1 1/2 cups skim milk
- 1/4 cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
- 3/4 tsp black pepper (freshly cracked, divided)
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instruction For Making Chicken, Broccoli, & Rice Casserole
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Cut the chicken into 1/2-inch cubes and season with salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.
- Take a quarter of oil and cook the chicken over medium heat in a large skillet. Stir until cooked through. Remove and place in a separate bowl.
- Add another quarter of oil, garlic, broccoli, and onion in the skillet and cook on medium heat until broccoli becomes bright green and onion gets soft. Place in the bowl containing chicken.
- To make cheese sauce, add the remaining oil to the skillet. And, make sure to reduce the heat. Sprinkle flour and slowly add milk while whisking to combine. Add 2/3 cheese and the rest of the black pepper. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, stir together rice, chicken, and broccoli and gently stir in cheese sauce.
- Spray a 9×9-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pour and spread the prepared mixture into the dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese and breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese melts, and the casserole appears bubbly. Remove and serve hot.
Variations & Substitutions
- I used whole-grain wild rice to make the recipe protein-rich. But you can go for brown or any other rice of your choice.
- If you prefer a vegetarian casserole, you can always substitute chicken with your favorite vegetarian protein, like tofu.
- This classic recipe contains just broccoli, but you can add all kinds of vegetables to make it more colorful and delicious as per your tastes. This recipe would go well with corn, bell pepper, and carrots.
- Using Panko is just my choice because of its light, flaky texture and less oil absorption. You can use whatever breadcrumbs are available in your pantry.
Tips & Tricks For Making Chicken, Broccoli, & Rice Casserole
- Although this is a complete meal, if you prefer adding extra color and side flavor, serve it with an in-house salad.
- This casserole is easy to make and store. Keep it refrigerated in a container and reheat it whenever you want. To reheat, cover the dish using foil and bake in the oven at 350℉ until thoroughly warmed.