Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

If you’re a 90s kid, you probably grew up on some version of cheesy chicken broccoli and rice casserole. I absolutely loved it and I was so excited to create this healthier version that doesn’t leverage processed foods and adds a bit more flavor and protein using bone broth for the rice.

This cheesy chicken rice also a great budget meal! We love incorporating this into our budget meal plans, you can see a full meal plan here.

Cheesy Chicken Rice Casserole

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked rice (cooked in bone broth)

• Bechamel sauce (made with 1 stick butter, flour, milk, garlic powder to taste)

• 10 oz shredded cheddar cheese (reserve 1/2 cup for topping)

• 1 package broccoli (steamed or lightly cooked)

• ½ rotisserie chicken, shredded

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Optional: Paprika or breadcrumbs for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2. Make the Sauce:
   If you haven’t already, prepare your béchamel:

   • Melt 1 stick of butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

   • Whisk in about 1/2 cup flour to make a roux.

   • Slowly whisk in 2.5–3 cups of milk, stirring constantly until smooth and thickened.

   • Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.

3. Combine the Base:
   In a large mixing bowl, combine:

   • Cooked rice

   • Shredded chicken

   • Cooked broccoli

   • Béchamel sauce

   • 9.5 oz of shredded cheddar cheese
     Stir everything until evenly combined.

4. Assemble the Casserole:
   Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish. Spread it out evenly.

5. Top & Bake:
   Sprinkle the reserved ½ cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
   Optional: Add a sprinkle of paprika or breadcrumbs for a golden finish.

6. Bake:
   Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until bubbly and the top is lightly golden.

7. Serve:
   Let rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I use fresh broccoli?

   Absolutely, you can use fresh or frozen broccoli in this recipe. If you choose to use frozen broccoli, I would thaw it overnight if you can. If you use fresh broccoli, you may want to steam it for a few minutes first or extend the oven cooking time to soften them.