The Easy Casserole I’m Making All Winter Long

This one-dish meal is ready in under an hour.

By
Afton Cyrus
Afton Cyrus
Afton Cyrus
Afton Cyrus is a food writer and editor, recipe developer, and culinary instructor based in New England. Her work appears in print and online for America's Test Kitchen, Serious Eats, The Kitchn, King Arthur Baking Company, and cookbooks for Ten Speed Press, in addition to her work for Simply Recipes.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published January 21, 2025
Afton Cyrus
Overhead view of chicken and broccoli casserole in a green dish with a serving spoon next to a small plate with a serving

Simply Recipes / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Sally McKay / Christina Daley

Chicken, broccoli, and cheese are an undeniable power trio. Add some hearty white rice and a creamy sauce, and you’ve got a winning combination. This comforting recipe puts all these elements together into a super-easy one-dish dinner. Protein? Check. Vegetables? Check. Cozy vibes? Double check.

As a bonus, this easy casserole is a great way to use up leftovers. You’ll need some cooked chicken (any kind works) and a couple of cups of cooked white rice (this is a great time to use microwave rice if you don’t have cooked rice on hand). With the chicken and rice already cooked, this casserole comes together fast, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights.

Shortcuts and Swaps for This Recipe

  • No fresh broccoli on hand? No problem! You can substitute frozen broccoli florets instead. There’s no need to thaw them first, just microwave as directed in this recipe.
  • Shredding up a rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut here.
  • Double down on the chicken flavor in this casserole by using cream of chicken soup instead of cream of onion or mushroom.
Closeup view of a chicken and broccoli casserole and a serving spoon

Simply Recipes / Photo by Robby Lozano / Food Styling by Sally McKay / Christina Daley

More Ways To Use Up Leftovers

Easy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Servings 6 servings

This recipe was developed by Julia Levy.

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 (12-ounce) package broccoli florets, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 6 cups)

  • 2 tablespoons water

  • 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of onion or mushroom soup

  • 3/4 cup sour cream

  • 3/4 cup whole milk

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons yellow or Dijon mustard

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 3 cups (about 12 ounces) shredded cooked chicken

  • 2 1/2 cups cooked white rice

  • 1 (8-ounce) package shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 2 cups), divided

  • 1 cup coarsely crushed butter crackers (such as Ritz, about 15 crackers)

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing baking dish

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Steam the broccoli:

    In a medium microwave-safe bowl, combine the broccoli and water. Cover with plastic wrap or a lid and microwave until bright green and crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain any excess water.

  3. Make the casserole base:

    Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the soup, sour cream, milk, mustard, garlic powder, and salt. Fold in the chicken, rice, steamed broccoli, and 1 cup of the cheese until evenly combined.

  4. Make the topping:

    In a medium bowl, combine the crushed crackers, melted butter, and remaining 1 cup of cheese and toss to coat.

  5. Assemble and bake:

    Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with extra butter. Transfer the broccoli mixture to the greased baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the casserole evenly with the cracker topping.

    Bake until the crackers are golden and the sides of the casserole are bubbly, about 20 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
599 Calories
36g Fat
39g Carbs
30g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 599
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 36g 46%
Saturated Fat 17g 83%
Cholesterol 127mg 42%
Sodium 882mg 38%
Total Carbohydrate 39g 14%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 30g
Vitamin C 38mg 189%
Calcium 403mg 31%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 481mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.