This Fresh Broccoli Rice Casserole with Chicken is cheesy, hearty and has a ton of flavor and crunch from the buttery cracker topping!
Casseroles might just be the best comfort food on the planet. They bring back fond memories from my childhood and my girls will eat just about anything if I call it a casserole! This Fresh Broccoli Rice Casserole is so cheesy and comforting which makes it one of our favorites.
You can use breadcrumbs for the topping but I’ve always preferred the crunch of crackers. Hand-crushing them (instead of a food processor or blender) makes bigger “crumbs” which my family prefers. I especially like Roasted Garlic & Herb Stoneground Wheat Crackers. Talk about flavor! These things are so good and perfect for topping this Fresh Broccoli Rice Casserole.
Why You’ll Love Fresh Broccoli Rice Casserole With Chicken
- Nutritious Ingredients – Broccoli, chicken, and rice are nutritious staples, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and protein to your meal. It’s also packed with protein, veggies, and grains, making it a wholesome and complete meal.
- Creamy and Cheesy: The combination of sharp cheddar cheese and cream cheese creates a rich and creamy sauce that coats every bite.
- Versatile: This casserole is versatile and adaptable, making it easy to customize with your favorite ingredients or leftovers.
- Comfort Food: With its creamy texture and hearty ingredients, this dish is the epitome of comforting home-cooked food.
- Family Favorite: Loved by both kids and adults, this casserole is a crowd-pleaser that is sure to become a regular on your dinner rotation.
- Easy Preparation: Despite its gourmet taste, this dish comes together quickly and easily, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare this casserole in advance and bake it when ready, making it ideal for meal prep or entertaining.
Fresh Broccoli Rice Casserole With Chicken Ingredients Notes
- Broccoli: Use fresh broccoli for the best results! I like to choose crowns that are bright and green, that are firm, with minimal yellowing of the florets.
- Aromatics: Garlic and onion are the standard aromatics used here and as always, they help build the flavor of the dish.
- Rice: If you have leftover rice, go ahead and use it. Otherwise you can prepare it for this dish just before baking.
- Chicken: Make it quick and easy and use a precooked rotisserie chicken and shred it into the mix.
- Cheese: This recipe calls for a mix of cream cheese and sharp cheddar for a creamy, bold flavor that pairs well with the broccoli.
- Dijon Mustard: Just a teaspoon will do to round out the flavor of this broccoli rice casserole.
- Crackers: I prefer crackers over breadcrumbs, and as I mentioned, I like the garlic and herb wheat crackers. You can use your favorite kind if those aren’t available, but these add great flavor to the casserole.
- Flour and Whole Milk: These are essential for making the roux for the sauce. You can use low fat milk or your favorite alternative if you don’t have whole milk.
- Butter: In this recipe, the butter is combined with the cracker crumbs to make a flavorful golden brown crunchy topping.
Find the complete ingredients list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How To Make Fresh Broccoli Rice Casserole With Chicken
- Broccoli Prep: Roast your broccoli for about 5 minutes or so, just until it starts to lose its crunch. This helps boost the flavor more than simmering it, too. Any little trick to add flavor to a dish is worth it!
- Get ready: Cook your rice if you don’t have any leftovers, shred the rotisserie chicken, and chop your onion.
- Make the roux: Sauté the onion in oil, then add garlic and cook briefly. Add the flour and stir for about two minutes. Whisk in the milk until mixture is smooth, bring to a simmer, and stir occasionally until slightly thickened.
- Add the cheese: Stir in the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and dijon mustard. Stir until smooth and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Put it together: Add the broccoli, chicken, and rice to the cheese mixture, stir to combine, then pour into a baking dish.
- Make the topping: Mix the butter and cracker crumbs, sprinkle over the top and bake until hot and bubbly and the crackers are golden brown.
Variations, Substitutions, and Cooking Tips
Vegetarian Option: Skip the chicken and add extra vegetables such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for a vegetarian fresh broccoli rice casserole.
Spicy Twist: Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce for a spicy kick.
Different Cheeses: Experiment with different types of cheese such as Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or Swiss for unique flavor profiles.
Herb Infusion: Enhance the flavor by adding fresh or dried herbs like thyme, oregano, or parsley to the sauce.
Grain-Free: Substitute cooked quinoa or cauliflower rice for the rice to make a grain-free version of the casserole.
Broccoli: Substitute broccoli with cauliflower or asparagus for a different vegetable base.
Milk: Use any milk or milk alternative of your choice such as almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk.
Flour: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend if needed.
Switch up the topping: Use breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, or panko breadcrumbs instead of crackers for the topping.
Season Generously: Taste and adjust the seasoning of the sauce before combining it with the other ingredients to ensure a flavorful fresh broccoli rice casserole.
Fresh Broccoli Rice Casserole with Chicken
This Fresh Broccoli Rice Casserole with Chicken is cheesy, hearty and has a ton of flavor and crunch from the buttery cracker topping!
Ingredients
- 1 T plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 heads broccoli, about 4-5 cups
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 T all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 t salt & freshly ground black pepper
- 3-4 cups cooked, shredded chicken (I usually use a rotisserie)
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 6-ounce package Garlic & Herb Stoneground Wheat Crackers, crushed into crumbs
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- Place broccoli on sheet pan and drizzle with 1 T oil. Roast for about five minutes (you don't want it fully cooked, just starting to lose its crunch).
- Meanwhile, sauté onions with remaining oil in a large preheated skillet over medium heat, about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, cook one more minute. Sprinkle flour over onions and cook approximately 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly, until mixture is smooth. Bring to a simmer then continue to stir occasionally until it starts to thicken. Add mustard, cheddar and cream cheese, stirring until smooth. Add salt and pepper, then taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
- Stir broccoli, chicken and rice into cheese mixture, then pour into a 13x9 baking dish (I like to use a dish that can go right from stovetop to oven).
- Mix butter and cracker crumbs. Sprinkle over casserole to cover. Bake for 20 minutes or until casserole is hot and bubbly and cracker topping is lightly browned.
More Tasty Casserole Recipes
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- Egg Casserole
- Green Bean Casserole
- Hash Brown Casserole
- Mexican Quinoa Casserole
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Walking Taco Casserole
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