The Easy Casserole I’m Making All Winter Long

Cooked rice and cooked chicken team up to make this creamy casserole recipe extra fast to make on a weeknight. A quick steam in the microwave makes the broccoli perfectly tender, and a golden cracker topping lends every bite some buttery crunch.

The Easy Casserole I’m Making All Winter Long
Overhead view of chicken and broccoli casserole in a green dish with a serving spoon next to a small plate with a serving
Simply Recipes / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Sally McKay / Christina Daley

Chicken, broccoli, and cheese are an undeniable power trio. Add some hearty white rice and a creamy sauce, and you’ve got a winning combination. This comforting recipe puts all these elements together into a super-easy one-dish dinner. Protein? Check. Vegetables? Check. Cozy vibes? Double check.

As a bonus, this easy casserole is a great way to use up leftovers. You’ll need some cooked chicken (any kind works) and a couple of cups of cooked white rice (this is a great time to use microwave rice if you don’t have cooked rice on hand). With the chicken and rice already cooked, this casserole comes together fast, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Shortcuts and Swaps for This Recipe

  • No fresh broccoli on hand? No problem! You can substitute frozen broccoli florets instead. There’s no need to thaw them first, just microwave as directed in this recipe.
  • Shredding up a rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut here.
  • Double down on the chicken flavor in this casserole by using cream of chicken soup instead of cream of onion or mushroom.
Closeup view of a chicken and broccoli casserole and a serving spoon
Simply Recipes / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Sally McKay / Christina Daley

More Ways To Use Up Leftovers

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Steam the broccoli:

In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the broccoli and water. Cover with plastic wrap or a lid and microwave until bright green and crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain any excess water.

Make the casserole base:

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the soup, sour cream, milk, mustard, garlic powder, and salt. Fold in the chicken, rice, steamed broccoli, and 1 cup of the cheese until evenly combined.

Make the topping:

In a medium bowl, combine the crushed crackers, melted butter, and remaining 1 cup of cheese and toss to coat.

Assemble and bake:

Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with extra butter. Transfer the broccoli mixture to the greased baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the casserole evenly with the cracker topping.

Bake until the crackers are golden and the sides of the casserole are bubbly, about 20 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve.

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