🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped (rotisseri chicken works great!)
3 cups cooked long-grain white rice (or brown/wild rice)
3 cups broccoli florets, lightly steamed (or thawed frozen)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom)
½ cup milk or chicken broth
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp smoked paprika
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Optional topping:
Extra cheese
½ cup buttery breadcrumbs (mix ¼ cup melted butter + ½ cup panko)
💡 Pro tip: Squeeze excess water from broccoli—wet veggies = soggy casserore!
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Mix the Casserole
In a large bowl, combine:
→ Cooked chicken
→ Cooked rice
→ Broccoli
→ 1½ cups cheddar cheese
→ Cream of chicken soup
→ Milk or broth
→ Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper
Stir gently until evenly coated.
3. Assemble & Top
Pour mixture into the baking dish.
Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup cheese.
Optional: Add buttery breadcrumbs for a crunchy topping.
4. Bake to Golden Perfection
Cover with foil. Bake 20 minutes.
Uncover. Bake 10–15 minutes more until bubbly and golden.
Let rest 5 minutes before serving (helps it set).
💡 Pro Tips for Next-Level Comfort
Use rotisserie chicken: Saves 20+ minutes—shred and go!
Boost flavor: Stir in ½ cup sautéed onions or mushrooms with the broccoli.
Make it creamy-scratch: Replace soup with 2 cups béchamel (butter + flour + milk + nutmeg).
Freezer-friendly: Assemble unbaked, freeze. Bake from frozen (+30 mins covered).
Dairy-free? Use GF cream soup + plant-based cheese + unsweetened almond milk.
🥣 Perfect Pairings
Classic: Garlic bread and a simple green salad
Comfort: Buttered corn or green beans
Holiday: Leftover roast chicken or turkey
Brunch: Top with a fried egg!
❤️ Why This Casserole Feels Like Home
This isn’t just dinner—it’s love in a 9x13 pan.
It says: “You’re fed. You’re cared for. Stay awhile.”
No fancy techniques. No stress. Just warm, cheesy, veggie-packed joy—shared with the people who matter most.
💛 Final Thought
Great cooking isn’t about perfection.
It’s about showing up with something nourishing—even on your busiest days.
So toss it all in a dish.
Let the oven work its magic.
And get ready for the kind of casserole that lingers in memory long after the plates are empty.