Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping Recipe
This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a comforting, easy-to-make meal perfect for busy weeknights. It features tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and creamy rice cooked in chicken broth and condensed soup, topped with melted cheddar cheese and a crispy buttery Ritz cracker crust. The casserole can be assembled ahead of time and baked when ready, making it a convenient and satisfying dish your family will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (or 2 cups diced rotisserie chicken)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Optional: ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Optional: ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Rice & Broth
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ¼ cups white long grain rice, uncooked
- 2–3 cups fresh broccoli florets, uncooked
Creamy Base
- 10.5 oz. cream of chicken soup (condensed)
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Casserole Topping
- 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Preheat your oven to 350° F. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season them with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook the chicken: In a large pot over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Cook the rice: To the same pot, add chicken broth, olive oil, and uncooked rice. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover tightly and cook for 6 minutes.
- Add broccoli and continue cooking: Add the fresh broccoli florets, cover the pot again, and cook for another 9 minutes or until no liquid remains and the rice is tender. If rice isn’t fully cooked, cover and simmer for an additional 5 minutes or until done.
- Let rice rest: Keep the pot covered and remove it from heat. Let it stand for 10 minutes without stirring to allow the rice to finish steaming.
- Mix casserole ingredients: Stir in the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, optional thyme and garlic powder, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese until well combined.
- Assemble casserole: Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Add crispy topping: Combine melted butter with crushed Ritz crackers. Remove the casserole cover and evenly sprinkle the buttery cracker topping. Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until topping is golden and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole!
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken as a shortcut instead of cooking raw chicken breasts.
- Make sure to keep the pot tightly covered while cooking the rice for perfect texture.
- If you prefer, swap cheddar cheese for a milder or sharper cheese depending on your taste.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute gluten-free crackers for the Ritz topping.
Keywords: chicken broccoli casserole, cheesy chicken casserole, broccoli rice casserole, comfort food, easy casserole, weeknight dinner
