Description
Hearty Pioneer Woman Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole brings classic comfort to family dinner tables. Creamy cheese sauce and tender chicken combine with wholesome rice and crisp broccoli for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (or 2 cups of diced rotisserie chicken)
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth (low-sodium recommended)
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 tbsps butter
- 2 tbsps butter, melted
- 1 ¼ cups uncooked white long-grain rice
- 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 10.5 oz (298 g) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Chicken Searing: Season chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté chicken until golden and fully cooked, about 5-6 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Rice and Broccoli Cooking: In the same skillet, combine chicken broth and olive oil with rice. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 6 minutes. Add broccoli florets, replace lid, and continue cooking for 9-10 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
- Mixing Ingredients: Remove skillet from heat and blend in cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, whole milk, sour cream, garlic powder, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese, ensuring even distribution.
- Initial Baking: Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish, top with remaining cheddar cheese, cover with foil, and bake for 15 minutes.
- Cracker Topping: Crush buttery crackers and mix with melted butter to create a crispy garnish.
- Final Baking and Serving: Remove foil, sprinkle cracker mixture over casserole, and bake uncovered for 10 minutes until topping is golden and crisp. Let rest 5 minutes before serving to enhance texture and allow setting.
Notes
- Chicken Prep Tip: Ensure chicken is fully cooked and golden brown to maximize flavor and prevent any raw meat risks.
- Rice Moisture Secret: Watch rice carefully during simmering to achieve perfect tenderness without becoming mushy or dry.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Stir cheese thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy texture throughout the entire casserole.
- Cracker Topping Trick: Crush crackers into fine, even pieces to guarantee a uniform, crispy golden-brown crust that adds delightful crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg