30 Minute One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Name: 30 Minute One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 small onion (chopped); 2 chicken breasts (cut into small cubes); ¼ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 4 cloves garlic (minced); ¾ cup rice (uncooked); 10 ounces cream of chicken soup ((1 can)); 2 cups chicken broth (low sodium); 2 cups broccoli florets; 1 cup cheddar cheese; 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)

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One pot dinners are my favorite kind of dinners, less dishes, less mess and everything cooks together so you get more flavor with less work. This One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole has been a reader favorite for years because it’s easy, creamy, cheesy and ready in about 30 minutes using simple ingredients you probably already have.

Table of Contents

a serving spoon inside a skillet with chicken broccoli rice casserole.

One Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice For Busy Weeknights

I’ve built a huge part of this blog around quick and easy meals that don’t leave you with a sink full of dishes at the end of the night. Life is busy, nobody wants to cook dinner using three different pots and pans, and that’s exactly why I love one pot meals like this so much. You get a full dinner cooked all together with way less effort and way less cleanup.

This 30 Minute One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is one of those dinners that just makes life easier. The rice cooks right in the same pot with the chicken and broth, the broccoli goes in near the end, and everything gets finished with cheese so it turns creamy and comforting without a lot of extra work. It’s simple, filling, and perfect for busy weeknights.

“It doesn’t get much easier than this. Tasty, adaptable and quick. I’ve made this many times and my family loves it!” ~Garon

freshly made cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole in a skillet.

Why This Recipe Works

Everything cooks in one pot: The chicken, rice and broccoli all cook together so you don’t need multiple pots or pans. Less dishes is always a win.
The rice cooks in broth: Cooking the rice in chicken broth and cream of chicken soup gives it a lot more flavor than cooking rice in water.
Creamy without extra work: The cream of chicken soup and cheese make this creamy and comforting without needing to make a separate sauce.
Ready in about 30 minutes: This is a full dinner with protein, vegetables and rice, all done in about half an hour.
Great for leftovers: This reheats really well, so it’s perfect for meal prep or next day lunch.
Easy to customize: You can use rotisserie chicken, add mushrooms or peppers, or swap the broccoli for other vegetables.
Family friendly: Chicken, rice and cheese is usually a safe dinner that everyone will eat.

“This was a BIG hit with everyone in my house!!! Very easy to make! Thank you!!! 😊” ~Laura

overhead shot of ingredients needed to make cheesy chicken broccoli casserole.

Key Ingredients and Tips

Chicken: Cut the chicken into small, even sized pieces so it cooks quickly and evenly. You can also use rotisserie chicken, just add it later when you add the broccoli so it doesn’t dry out.
Rice: Long grain rice works best because it stays fluffy and doesn’t turn mushy. Do not use instant rice unless you adjust the liquid and cooking time, and avoid short grain rice because it can make the casserole too creamy and sticky.
Cream of chicken soup: This adds both flavor and creaminess and also helps the rice cook properly. If you want to skip canned soup, you can use a simple homemade cream sauce instead.
Chicken broth: Since the rice cooks in the broth, this is where a lot of the flavor comes from. If your casserole turns out too thick, you can always stir in a splash of extra broth at the end.
Broccoli: Add the broccoli near the end so it stays bright green and doesn’t get mushy. If using frozen broccoli, thaw it first and pat it dry so it doesn’t add too much extra moisture.
Cheddar cheese: Use a good melting cheese and add half into the rice and half on top so you get both creamy rice and that melted cheesy top.
Pot and lid: Make sure you use a pot with a tight fitting lid because the rice needs the steam to cook properly. If too much steam escapes, the rice may stay undercooked.

“One of the easiest most delicious dinner recipes i’ve ever made!! I’ve eaten it three days in a row and im still not sick of it, it reheats beautifully. I truly feel like I could eat this every day. The only thing I did differently was add in the broccoli at the same time as the rice just because i prefer my broccoli more tender. Cannot recommend this enough!! So yummy!!” ~Hannah

What Rice To Use For Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

The best rice for this recipe is long grain white rice like basmati or jasmine because it cooks up fluffy and doesn’t get mushy while everything cooks together in the pot.
If you want to use brown rice, you can, but it will take longer to cook and you’ll need more liquid. Plan for extra cooking time and check if you need to add more broth as it cooks.
If you want to use instant rice, reduce the broth slightly and shorten the cooking time because instant rice cooks much faster and can get mushy if cooked too long.
Try to avoid short grain rice or arborio rice, because those release more starch and can make the casserole too creamy and sticky instead of fluffy and casserole like.
If your rice ever turns out a bit undercooked, just add a splash more broth, cover the pot again and cook for a few more minutes until the rice softens.

How To Make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

detailed process shots showing how to make cheesy chicken broccoli casserole.

This recipe is basically cooked in stages, but all in the same pot. First you cook the onion and chicken to build flavor, then you add the rice, soup and broth and let the rice cook right in the pot. Once the rice is tender, you stir in the broccoli and some of the cheese, then finish it with more cheese on top under the broiler until melted and bubbly.

It’s simple, everything cooks in one pot, and the rice absorbs all the flavor from the chicken and broth so you end up with a creamy, cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole without having to cook anything separately.

Variations and Add Ins

This recipe is really easy to customize depending on what you have in the fridge or pantry. You can use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken to save time, just add it when you add the broccoli so it doesn’t dry out. Chicken thighs also work great and give a bit more flavor.

You can add extra vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, peas, spinach, or even cauliflower. If you want to change the flavor a bit, try using Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a Tex Mex cheese blend instead of cheddar. You can also add a bit of bacon or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want a little extra flavor.

This is one of those recipes that’s very forgiving, so feel free to clean out the fridge a bit and make it your own.

a serving of chicken broccoli rice casserole on a white plate.

Make Ahead Tips

You can easily prep parts of this recipe ahead of time to make dinner even faster. Cut the chicken, chop the onion and broccoli, and keep everything in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. When it’s time to make dinner, everything comes together really quickly.

You can also make the whole dish ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a couple days. When reheating, just add a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen it up because the rice will continue to absorb liquid as it sits.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Rice still hard: This usually means it needed a bit more liquid or more time to cook. Add a splash of chicken broth, cover the pot again and cook for a few more minutes until the rice softens.
Rice too mushy: This happens if there’s too much liquid or if instant rice is used without adjusting the liquid and cooking time. Stick with long grain rice for best results.
Broccoli too soft: If the broccoli is added too early, it can get mushy. Add it near the end and cook just a couple minutes so it stays bright and slightly firm.
Casserole too thick or dry: The rice continues to absorb liquid as it sits, so just stir in a splash of broth or milk at the end or when reheating.
Rice sticking to the bottom: Make sure to stir once or twice while the rice is cooking and keep the heat at medium low, not too high.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days. The rice will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so the casserole will thicken in the fridge.

When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or milk before microwaving or reheating on the stove. This will loosen the rice and bring back that creamy texture.

You can also freeze this casserole for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely first, then store it in a freezer safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, and again add a splash of broth or milk when reheating so the rice isn’t dry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works great in this recipe. Just add the cooked chicken when you add the broccoli so it doesn’t overcook or dry out.

Can I make this without cream of chicken soup?

Yes, you can replace it with a simple cream sauce made with butter, flour, milk and chicken broth, or use cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup instead.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, but make sure you use a large enough pot and you may need to add a bit more cooking time for the rice. Stir occasionally so the rice cooks evenly.

Can I bake this instead of cooking it on the stove?

Yes. You can transfer everything to a baking dish after mixing the rice, soup and broth, cover with foil and bake at 350°F until the rice is tender, then add the cheese on top and bake uncovered until melted.

Why is my casserole too thick the next day?

The rice continues to absorb liquid as it sits in the fridge. Just add a splash of chicken broth or milk when reheating and it will loosen back up.

Can I add other vegetables?

Yes, this recipe is very flexible. Mushrooms, bell peppers, peas, spinach, or cauliflower all work well in this casserole.

What To Serve With It

This is already a pretty complete meal with chicken, rice and broccoli, but if you want to serve something on the side, keep it simple.

Top view of arugula salad with shaved Parmesan and lemon dressing, fresh, vibrant, and perfect for pairing with any meal.

More Incredible Casseroles To Try

Recipe originally shared May, 2015.

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