Easy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole (2024)

This Chicken Broccoli Casserole recipe is made healthy using brown rice, tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a flavorful sauce. It’s super easy to make, perfect for any weeknight. Plus it is gluten-free and full of veggies and protein

Making this Healthy Chicken Broccoli Casserole is super simple and fast. It uses healthier ingredients and omits cream soup, making it a lower-fat, more nutritious casserole. This is the perfect recipe for busy weeknights because it doesn’t take much time and everyone loves it (even kids!). This easy chicken casserole is loaded with protein, fiber, and flavor. The perfect meal to serve your family or guests. They are made with brown rice which can easily be swapped with quinoa for an even healthier chicken casserole dish!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Easy. You can’t get much easier than a casserole. Make the sauce while the chicken bakes, then pile it all together and finish baking.
• Healthier. This is a healthier version of a traditional casserole. It replaces pasta with brown rice, adds chicken for protein, and eliminates cream of mushroom soup (so less fat and carbs). It is also gluten-free if you use gluten-free flour.
• Tasty. The flavors of the creamy sauce, broccoli, and seasoned chicken complement each other perfectly. A delicious way to eat more broccoli!

Ingredients you will need

• Chicken breasts: you could use boneless and skinless chicken thighs, but we much prefer chicken breasts since they are leaner.
• Brown rice: You do not have to use brown rice. Any other rice will work just fine. You may even use a whole grain option like quinoa.
• Fresh broccoli: Fresh broccoli always sounds fresh and healthy. Frozen broccoli will be fine to use.
• Olive oil: use any other oil like avocado oil.
• Onion: go with white or sweet onion.
• Gluten-free flour: use any other flour, like all-purpose or whole-wheat.
• Milk: Use any milk you have on hand. 2% will do.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder, Onion powder, Dry mustard powder, smoked paprika, and Kosher salt and ground pepper
• Cheddar cheese: If you don’t like cheddar you may use other cheese like Colby jack, American, or gruyere.
• Fresh parsley: used to garnish, so if you aren’t a fan, you may skip it.

How to make this easy chicken broccoli casserole – step by step

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Prepare chicken. Season the chicken with some salt and pepper and drizzle over with 1 tablespoon of oil. Mix well to coat, then place in a 2 qt casserole dish; arrange in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
• Bake. Bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes.

• Make sauce. While the chicken is cooking, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a skillet. Add onion and sauté until translucent. Then add flour and whisk quickly for about a minute or so.
• Add milk. Carefully pour in the milk and continue whisking; as the mixture starts to bubble add garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stirring thoroughly, let the mixture simmer on low, until thick and bubbly.
• Mix in cheese. Remove from the heat and add 1-1/2 cup of cheddar cheese, whisk well until cheese is melted.
• Add rice and broccoli. Add a layer of cooked rice and then broccoli florets.
• Pour on sauce. Pour the prepared cheese sauce on top and gently toss to coat. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese on top.

• Bake. Bake for 20 minutes more, until broccoli, is tender, and the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
• Serve. Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm.

faq’s and tips

• Brown rice: Have this cooked before you start making the casserole. Or you can use pre-cooked rice packs that you simply reheat in the microwave and they are ready to go. You may also substitute the brown rice with quinoa if you like.
• Broccoli: Trim the leaves from the broccoli and cut the florets close to the stalk. Then trim the florets so they are roughly the same size. Alternatively, you can buy florets pre-cut. You could also use frozen broccoli but we recommend allowing them to thaw out in a colander first.
• Onion: We prefer sweet or yellow onion in this recipe.
• Gluten-free flour: You can use regular flour if you do not have gluten restrictions.
• Milk: Use non-dairy milk or any other milk of choice.
• Cheddar cheese: You can omit the cheese to make this low in fat, use light or fat-free cheese, or substitute with mozzarella, Colby, or parmesan.

What goes with chicken Broccoli casserole?

If you’re looking for side dishes to serve alongside this casserole, try any of these options.

• Healthy Potato Salad
• Easy Mixed Berry Fruit Salad
• Green Bean Tomato Salad
• Dinner rolls
• Simple green salad

Frequently asked questions

Other easy and healthy recipes

• Chicken Fried Rice
• Easy Harvest Chicken Casserole
• Hawaiian Chicken Bowls
• Instant Pot Chicken Curry
• Lemon Garlic Shrimp Skillet
• Easy Homemade Beef Stew

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