Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole is the perfect dinner any day of the week. It's similar to my viral Crack Chicken and Rice Casserole. So addicting! 

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This recipe was photographed and updated 3/2025.

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Shopping list:

• Cheddar Broccoli Rice a Roni (plus ingredients listed on box to prepare)
• shredded carrots
• frozen broccoli
• onion
• garlic
• canned cream of chicken soup
• sour cream
• cooked chicken breast
• black pepper
• crushed red pepper
• cheddar cheese

I’ve been so excited to share new variations of my most viewed and viral recipe, Crack Chicken and Rice Casserole! This broccoli cheddar version is absolutely irresistible. The only people who typically don’t love these casseroles are those who prefer to avoid boxed rice mixes and canned cream soups. While they aren’t everyday ingredients in our house, we still enjoy using them from time to time for easy, comforting meals.  

If you’re a fan of the cheddar and broccoli combo, this recipe is for you! It starts with cheddar broccoli Rice-A-Roni, then gets an extra boost of flavor with more broccoli, freshly shredded cheddar cheese, onion, garlic, and shredded carrots. I usually use rotisserie chicken for convenience, but this time I used thawed and chopped grilled chicken bites from Sam’s Club, and it worked perfectly!  

I had a couple of friends over while photographing this recipe, and they both loved it! Casseroles are always a go-to comfort food for me, especially on chilly days. This one is a winner every time!

If you're looking for some more great casserole recipes, try my Biscuits and Gravy Breakfast Casserole, Cabbage Casserole or Pizza Pasta Casserole!

Casseroles and bread go hand in hand! These Mini Parmesan Garlic Money Breads or Buttery Garlic Bread go great with this broccoli casserole!

Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe 💙

Recipe tips and substitution ideas:

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.

• I recommend using freshly shredded cheddar and not store bought shredded for better taste and melting. Check out my favorite cheese shredder!

• If you prefer to skip the boxed rice mix, cook white rice in chicken broth to equal three cups cooked rice and use as directed.

• This recipe can be prepped and frozen. Just remove from the freezer, then bake as directed adding additional cooking time,  about 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.

• Try using different flavors of rice a roni, different cheese, herbs, spices or vegetables! Turkey works great instead of chicken too.

Our favorite kitchen equipment and supplies used with this recipe:

• Pyrex Basics 3 Quart Glass Oblong Baking Dish
• Epicurean Kitchen Series Cutting Board
• Nextrend Garlic Twister
• Cambom Rotary Cheese Grater

Yield 6 servings

Author Hot Eats and Cool Reads

Prep time

10 Min

Cook time

50 Min

Total time

1 Hour

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 - 6.5 ounce box Cheddar Broccoli Rice a Roni (plus ingredients listed on box to prepare)
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• 1 1/2 cups frozen broccoli, thawed and quartered
• ½ cup finely diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 - 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
2. Prepare the rice a roni according to package directions, adding the carrots, broccoli, onion and garlic in the last 4-5 minutes of cooking.
3. When the rice is finished, stir in the cream soup, sour cream, chicken, black pepper and crushed red pepper. Remove from heat.
4. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Top with shredded cheddar.
5. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, remove from oven. Let stand for 5 minutes then serve.

Hot Eats and Cool Reads is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe you try from this blog/website. You may not always have the same results I do due to variations in ingredients, humidity, altitude, cooking temperatures, typos, errors, omissions, or individual cooking abilities. 

You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful. I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Each individual's dietary needs and restrictions are unique to the individual.

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