Chicken & Broccoli Casserole

There are plenty of reasons this recipe deserves a spot in your regular dinner rotation! It’s incredibly easy. There’s very little prep involved, which makes this a great recipe for those nights when you don’t have the time or energy to make an elaborate dinner. It’s a one-dish meal. Everything gets mixed together right in the casserole dish, so cleanup is minimal. It’s creamy and cheesy. Cream of chicken soup and plenty of shredded cheddar make this casserole comforting and delicious. It’s family-friendly. Chicken, broccoli, and cheese are a pretty hard combination to beat! It’s a great way to use leftover chicken. If you have leftover rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breasts in the fridge, this is an easy way to turn them into an entirely new meal.

Ingredients

• Cooked Shredded Chicken– You’ll need 2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken. Rotisserie chicken works beautifully here and is my favorite shortcut, but you can also use leftover baked or boiled chicken. Using already-cooked chicken is what makes this casserole so quick and easy to throw together.
• Rice- Use uncooked white rice for this, not instant, just plain white rice.
• Broccoli– Use 1 ½ cups of fresh or frozen broccoli florets. If using frozen broccoli, there’s no need to thaw it first. Just toss it right into the casserole. If your family really loves broccoli, you can absolutely add a little extra.
• Cream of Chicken Soup– One can of cream of chicken soup gives the casserole its creamy texture and adds tons of flavor without requiring you to make a homemade sauce.
• Chicken Broth– Chicken broth helps bring everything together and provides moisture as the casserole bakes.
• Cheddar Cheese– You’ll need 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. I recommend shredding your own cheese if you have the time because it melts beautifully, but pre-shredded cheese works just fine for a quick weeknight dinner.
• Seasonings– A simple combination of garlic salt, dried parsley, salt, and pepper is all you need. The garlic salt adds a nice savory flavor while the parsley gives the casserole a little extra freshness.

How to Make Dump and Bake Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

1. Add Everything to the Casserole Dish

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Add the cooked shredded chicken, uncooked rice, broccoli, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic salt, dried parsley, salt, and pepper directly to a casserole dish.

2. Mix

Give everything a really good stir until the ingredients are evenly distributed. Cover the casserole dish tightly.

3. Bake

Place the covered casserole in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. Keeping the casserole covered during this portion of the cooking time helps everything heat through and allows the flavors to come together.

4. Uncover and Finish Baking

After 45 minutes, carefully remove the cover and give everything another good stir. Increase the oven temperature to 375°F and return the casserole to the oven for another 15–20 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the top is lightly golden brown.

5. Serve

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Then scoop it up and enjoy!

Tips for Making the Best Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Use rotisserie chicken for an easy shortcut. This is one of my favorite ways to make this recipe even faster. Grab a rotisserie chicken, shred it, and you’re ready to go.

Frozen broccoli works great. You don’t need to thaw it first, which makes this recipe even more convenient.

Shred your own cheese when possible. Freshly shredded cheddar tends to melt really well and gives you that delicious cheesy casserole texture.

Don’t skip the covering step. Keeping the casserole covered for the first part of baking helps prevent the top from getting too brown before everything is heated through.

Let it rest before serving. Giving the casserole a few minutes to sit after coming out of the oven allows everything to settle and makes it easier to serve.

Easy Variations

Want to change things up? There are lots of ways to make this casserole your own.

Add more vegetables. Mushrooms, peas, carrots, or cauliflower would all work well.

Switch up the cheese. Try a cheddar and mozzarella combination, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or even a little Parmesan mixed in.

Use leftover turkey. This recipe would also be a great way to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

Make it extra cheesy. Sprinkle another handful of cheddar over the top during the final 5–10 minutes of baking.

Add some crunch. Sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers or seasoned breadcrumbs over the top before the final bake for a crispy topping.

What to Serve With Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

This casserole is filling enough to serve on its own, but if you want to add a side, try:

• A simple green salad
• Garlic bread
• Dinner rolls
• Roasted vegetables
• Fresh fruit
• A simple side salad

If rice is ultimately part of the casserole recipe, you likely won’t need much else alongside it because you’ll already have a hearty, filling meal in one dish.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

When you’re ready to eat, reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm larger portions in the oven until heated through.

This also makes a great make-ahead meal for busy weeknights. Simply prepare the casserole according to the recipe and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake, keeping in mind that a chilled casserole may need additional baking time.

Can I Use Frozen Broccoli?

Absolutely! Frozen broccoli makes this recipe even easier. You can add the frozen florets directly to the casserole without thawing them first.

Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken?

Yes! Rotisserie chicken is one of the easiest options for this recipe. Remove the meat from the bones, shred it, measure out 2 cups, and add it directly to the casserole.

Can I Make This Ahead of Time?

Yes. You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and keep it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it. Because the ingredients will be cold, you may need to add some extra baking time.

Can I Freeze Chicken and Broccoli Casserole?

You can freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container. Allow the casserole to cool completely before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat until hot throughout.