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Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 60 reviews

This comforting Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole features tender, seasoned chicken thighs combined with cooked broccoli and white rice, all enveloped in a creamy cheese sauce made from cream of chicken soup, heavy cream, Boursin cheese, sour cream, and cheddar. Baked to bubbly, golden perfection, this dish is a hearty and satisfying family meal that balances rich flavors with wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasonings

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 5–6 chicken thighs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp Bayou City all purpose seasoning (divided)
  • 1 tbsp Bayou City garlic pepper
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Sauce

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chicken stock
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken with herbs
  • 1 (10.5 oz) heavy cream (measured using the empty cream of chicken can)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (mild or medium), divided
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup Boursin cheese

Vegetables and Rice

  • 4 cups broccoli florets, cooked
  • 4 cups white rice, cooked

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready when your casserole is assembled.
  2. Melt Butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to prepare for cooking the chicken.
  3. Season Chicken: Lightly coat the chicken thighs with olive oil and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of Bayou City all purpose seasoning on them for flavor.
  4. Cook Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked through and no longer pink inside.
  5. Shred Chicken: Remove cooked chicken from the skillet and allow it to cool slightly. Then shred or chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
  6. Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook over medium heat for about 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  7. Deglaze Pan: Pour in the chicken stock to deglaze the pan, scraping up all browned bits from the bottom. Let the liquid reduce for about 4 minutes to concentrate flavors.
  8. Add Cream Base: Stir in the cream of chicken soup and then add heavy cream measured from the empty cream of chicken can. Mix well to combine the sauce.
  9. Melt Cheeses: Add Boursin cheese and half of the shredded cheddar cheese (1/2 cup). Stir continuously until all cheeses melt into a smooth sauce. Add more cheddar if you prefer a thicker sauce but reserve some for topping.
  10. Add Sour Cream: Mix sour cream into the sauce until fully incorporated, creating a creamy texture.
  11. Combine Main Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked rice, cooked broccoli florets, and shredded chicken thoroughly.
  12. Mix Sauce and Seasonings: Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the rice mixture. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Season with the remaining Bayou City all purpose seasoning (1 tbsp), Bayou City garlic pepper, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  13. Assemble Casserole: Transfer the mixture into a large casserole dish and spread it out evenly for uniform cooking.
  14. Add Topping: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
  15. Cover and Bake: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
  16. Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbly and lightly golden brown.
  17. Rest and Serve: Take the casserole out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving hot.
  18. Optional Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and paprika on top for color and extra flavor.

Notes

  • You can substitute chicken thighs with boneless skinless chicken breasts if preferred, but thighs tend to be juicier and more flavorful.
  • Using leftover cooked rice and broccoli works well to save time.
  • Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the spice level of the dish.
  • For a thicker sauce, add extra shredded cheddar cheese when melting the cheeses.
  • Make sure not to overcook the chicken in the skillet to keep it tender before baking.
  • Covering the casserole while baking helps retain moisture; uncover towards the end to brown the cheese topping.

Keywords: chicken broccoli rice casserole, creamy chicken casserole, cheesy chicken bake, comfort food casserole, easy family dinner

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/chicken-broccoli-rice-casserole-recipe/