If you've never had Chicken broccoli rice casserole like this, then you're missing out. With the stringy melted swiss cheese, soft broccoli florets, and fluffy flavorful white rice in every bite, this swiss cheese chicken bake is amazing.
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This chicken, rice, and cheese casserole has been a longtime staple in our home. Over the years, we've tried plenty of variations, but nothing compares to the original.
We tested swaps like mayo, fresh broccoli, homemade soups, and long cooking rice, but each change took away from the flavor or texture we love. In the end, the classic version always won.
With crispy rice, melty cheese, tender chicken, and soft broccoli in every bite, this casserole is pure comfort food. After years of making it, I'm excited to finally share the version that never disappoints.
If you're looking for more easy comfort food casseroles, be sure to check out Overnight Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole, Chicken Divan Casserole, and Instant Pot Tater Tot Casserole.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy. This casserole comes together with about 5 minutes of prep and an hour in the oven, making it great for busy nights or lazy Sunday dinners.
- Budget friendly. Made with just a few simple ingredients, it's an affordable option that fits well into frugal meal plans.
- It's filling. It's hearty and satisfying, making it hard to eat more than one serving, even if you're tempted.
🛒 Ingredients
Cream of chicken soup. Use canned cream of chicken soup, or swap with cream of mushroom or condensed celery if preferred.
Frozen broccoli florets. Frozen broccoli works best here. Fresh broccoli doesn't soften or blend the same way once baked.
Quick cook minute rice. Fast cooking rice gives the best fluffy texture. It's the same rice we use in Easy Salsa Rice, Cheesy Salsa Chicken and Rice Bake, and Cheesy Bean and Rice Burritos).
Swiss cheese slices. Adds a melty, lightly crisp topping. You can leave part of the casserole without Swiss if needed.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Frozen broccoli saves money. It's cheaper than fresh, already prepped, and works perfectly straight from the freezer.
Buy cheese by the slice pack. Swiss slices are often more affordable than specialty shredded blends for casseroles.
Stretch with smaller chicken cuts. Chicken tenders or diced breast spread more evenly through the dish.
🥄 Instructions for Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2: Add your rice to a greased 9x13 baking dish.
Step 3: Pour in the water.
Step 4: Add 1 can of cream of chicken soup.
Step 5: Mix well to combine.
Step 6: Add in and scatter the frozen broccoli around.
Step 7: Add in diced chicken or lay strips of chicken breasts over the top of the broccoli and rice.
Step 8: Layer your Swiss cheese over the top so that it covers as much surface space as possible. It's okay if the cheese overlaps.
Step 9: Pour a can of cream of chicken on top of the Swiss cheese.
Step 10: Carefully spread the soup around to fully cover the top of this casserole.
Step 11: Bake in the oven at 350F degrees for about 1 hour.
Step 12: Let cool for about 10 minutes.
Serve and enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Cheese and texture. Bake at 375°F instead of 350°F for crispier cheese edges. If using shredded Swiss, stir the second can of cream of chicken soup into the rice to add flavor and prevent dryness.
- Chicken choices. Diced breast, tenders, or shredded chicken all work. Adjust bake time based on size and whether the chicken is frozen or thawed.
- Bake time. Frozen or larger pieces need about 1 hour at 350°F. Thawed, smaller, or precooked chicken bakes well at 375°F for about 45 minutes.
- Doneness check. Chicken should reach 165°F, rice should absorb the liquid, and the edges should be dry and lightly golden.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Store leftover Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the casserole in a 325°F oven until heated through.
Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
This chicken broccoli rice casserole pairs well with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, dinner rolls, or fresh fruit for an easy, balanced meal. Follow it up with a comforting dessert.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
Nope! No need to! This recipe is designed to fluff up the rice while it's baking so that you don't have to do any extra work. It's literally an easy cheesy chicken and rice dump casserole.
Yes, it's preferred that way so that the chicken doesn't dry out. You can place thawed raw chicken or even frozen chicken into this recipe and it turns out the same. If using large frozen chicken breasts (uncut) then I recommend baking at 375F degrees to make sure that they're fully cooked.
I've tried this recipe with fresh and with frozen and frozen wins hands down. With fresh broccoli, you get some crisp roasted edges where the broccoli pokes through the top layer but the smell and flavor are a little stronger than when using frozen. You can try it both ways and see which one you prefer.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
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🐝 If you tried this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups quick cook white rice 5 minute - ($2.46)
- 4 cups water - ($0.00)
- 2 cans (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup - ($1.08)
- 1 bag (12 ounces) frozen broccoli florets or 2-3 cups - ($0.98)
- 1 chicken breast chopped or 4 to 6 chicken tenders - ($1.99)
- 8 slices Swiss cheese - ($1.48)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish.
- Start the Base: Add the rice to the baking dish. Pour in the water and add one can of cream of chicken soup. Stir well to combine.
- Add Vegetables: Scatter the frozen broccoli evenly over the rice mixture.
- Add Chicken: Add the chopped chicken or lay chicken tenders evenly over the top of the broccoli and rice.
- Layer Cheese: Arrange the Swiss cheese slices over the casserole, covering as much surface area as possible.
- Top with Soup: Pour the remaining can of cream of chicken soup over the cheese and gently spread it to fully cover the top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice has absorbed the liquid.
- Rest & Serve: Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Chicken Options: Diced chicken breast, chicken tenders, or shredded cooked chicken all work well.
- Soup Swaps: Cream of mushroom or other condensed cream soups may be substituted if desired.
- Frozen Chicken: Frozen chicken may be used, but large pieces may require baking at 375°F to ensure doneness.
- Doneness Check: The casserole is done when the chicken reaches 165°F and the rice is tender with lightly crisped edges.
- Bake Time: Frozen chicken may take closer to 1 hour, while thawed or smaller pieces may be ready in about 40 minutes.
Nutritional Information
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