Creamy Chicken Broccoli & Rice Casserole

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Creamy Chicken Broccoli & Rice Casserole

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Ingredients You’ll Need

To get started making this recipe, you’ll first want to gather all your ingredients first.

For the Casserole

For the Homemade Cheese Sauce

For the Topping

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Cheese Sauce

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until smooth. Gradually add the heavy cream, whisking continuously.

Simmer for 3–5 minutes until thickened. 

Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in cream cheese (if using), cheddar, and Parmesan until smooth and creamy.

Step 2: Assemble the Casserole

Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine chicken, rice, broccoli, and mozzarella. Pour the cheese sauce over the mixture and stir until fully coated. Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 3: Add the Topping

Mix panko, melted butter, and Parmesan together and sprinkle over the casserole.

Step 4: Bake

Bake for 25–30 minutes until hot and bubbly. Broil for 2–3 minutes for a golden, crispy top.

This version is incredibly creamy, so if you want it a little lighter, you can do 1 cup heavy cream + 1 cup chicken broth instead of the full 2 cups cream. The sauce will still be luscious without feeling too heavy.

Let’s Get Cravin Upgrade

• Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and a little Cajun seasoning before cooking.
• Add sautéed onions and garlic to the casserole mix.
• Finish with chopped parsley and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan after baking.

Creamy Chicken Broccoli & Rice Casserole

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Ingredients

Casserole

• 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or diced
• 3 cups cooked rice
• 3 cups broccoli florets steamed
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded

Homemade Cheese Sauce

• 4 tbsp butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp mustard powder optional
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 2 oz Boursin cheese (optional but amazing)

Topping

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Make the Cheese Sauce

• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Whisk in flour and cook for about 1 minute.
• Slowly whisk in the chicken broth until smooth.
• Gradually add the heavy cream, whisking continuously.
• Simmer for 3–5 minutes until thickened.
• Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in cream cheese (if using), cheddar, and Parmesan until smooth and creamy.

Assemble the Casserole

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• In a large bowl, combine chicken, rice, broccoli, and mozzarella.
• Pour the cheese sauce over the mixture and stir until fully coated.
• Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

Add the Topping

• Mix panko, melted butter, and Parmesan together and sprinkle over the casserole.

Bake

• Bake for 25–30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
• Broil for 2–3 minutes for a golden, crispy top.