If you’re craving something cozy yet wholesome, the grilled chicken and broccoli rice casserole is a go-to dish that never disappoints. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug, creamy, cheesy, and full of satisfying textures, but with just enough fresh ingredients to keep it from feeling heavy.
What makes this casserole stand out is the grilled chicken. Instead of using plain boiled or baked chicken, grilling adds a smoky depth that brings more flavor to every bite. Season the chicken with simple spices like garlic, paprika, and a touch of thyme, then slice it into strips or chunks once it’s cooked and juicy.
The base of the casserole is rice, which soaks up all the creamy goodness from the sauce. You can use white or brown rice, or even a wild rice blend if you want a nutty flavor. Mix it with steamed or lightly sautéed broccoli florets for a pop of green and a mild crunch. The broccoli balances out the richness and adds some much-needed veggies to the dish.
For the sauce, go classic with a mixture of cream (or milk), shredded cheese, and a bit of chicken broth. Cheddar is the usual choice, but Monterey Jack or a sharp blend can elevate the flavor. Add in some sautéed onions or garlic for extra depth. Everything gets mixed together in a baking dish, topped with more cheese, and baked until bubbly and golden on top.
This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or make-ahead meals. You can prepare it the night before, refrigerate it, and just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to eat. Leftovers also reheat beautifully and make a comforting lunch the next day.
Grilled chicken and broccoli rice casserole is the kind of meal that brings people back to the table. It’s easy, familiar, and flexible enough to tweak with different cheeses, veggies, or grains depending on what you have on hand.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken diced, cooked
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cooked rice, and broccoli florets.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, sour cream, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the milk mixture over the chicken, rice, and broccoli mixture and stir until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
- In a small bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the cheese and breadcrumb mixture on top of the casserole.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition
Broccoli in a casserole with rice? Kinda weird to me, tbh. I know it probably tastes fine, but the texture was off for my family and we weren’t fans.
I accidentally used salted butter and didn’t watch my salt/pepper, so it was slightly too salty. Still ate it all… just next time I’ll adjust.
Broccoli rice casserole is great and all, but 375°F for 35–40 mins seems short for thick portions. Mine wasn’t fully heated in the center until I gave it extra time.
Can I use frozen broccoli instead? Will it be the same?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli! Just make sure to thaw and drain it first. It should turn out great!
This is the best casserole I’ve made! Easy and yum. 😊
Gr8 recipe, easy to make. I didn’t have sour cream so I used yogurt. Worked fine.
I dunno, it turned out kind of bland. Maybe needs more seasoning?
Pretty good, but I think 40 minutes was a bit long for my oven. I pulled it at 33 and it was perfect—golden on top, not dry.
Loved this! Perfect for left overs.
I like the simplicity, but I added a little extra garlic and a pinch of paprika because why not. Worked great and didn’t taste bland at all.
375°F is right. I made it once and it smelled amazing. Only issue: mine got too crispy on top, so I’d cover loosely with foil if needed.
Made this tonight and it turned out super comforting. The breadcrumb topping is the best part—crispy and cheesy without being too heavy.
Just ok. Also, I used rice that wasn’t cooked and it turned out mushy. My bad! But still not the best.
Wasn’t great 😕. I think the garlic powder overpowered it a bit. I guess we all have dif tastes.
Casserole? Is that like lasagna? I’m confused but I tried and it’s not bad!
Yeah, it’s kinda like lasagna but with rice and chicken! Glad you enjoyed it!
Not bad but kinda bland. I followed the seasoning exactly and it needed more salt and maybe black pepper—like, a lot more.
Totally get that. The “salt and pepper to taste” is super vague—2–3 extra pinches of salt and a few grinds of black pepper makes a big difference. I also sometimes add a little more garlic powder.
I don’t know… it seems kinda bland. I added some hot sauce to spice it up.
This was an awesome recipe! My kids loved it.
I added some hot sauce and it was sooo good. Definitely a keeper!
Pretty good, but the breadcrumb topping mostly disappeared into the cheese for me. Maybe my oven runs hot or I should add a little more breadcrumbs.
Waste of time. Didn’t taste like anything! Guess we all have different tastes.
I’m sorry you didn’t like it! Maybe try adding more spices next time? It helped me a lot!
Chicken and rice is like, a classic but sometimes too basic, y’know? Meh.
5 stars! Loved the cheese on top, it made it mouthwatering! 😋
The instructions are clear, which I appreciate. 35-40 minutes is perfect—my oven runs hot though so I’d check around 30.
Totally agree—those bake times are so handy. I also tend to pull it a bit early when my top browns fast.
Nice! Clear steps make casseroles way less stressful. I’ll probably do 30-32 min like you said and just look for bubbly cheese.
This casserole was a hit at dinner! The kids even loved it! 😊
So glad to hear the kids loved it! This is definitely going on my dinner list! 🥳
Why is there breadcrumbs on top? I feel like it turns into more of a stuffing situation. Still, the flavor was decent.
eh. too many steps for me lol. also i only had 1 cup rice not 2 so i eyeballed it and the texture was off. wouldn’t do it exactly again.
Pretty easy to make and my kids ate it all. Will definitely make again!
That’s awesome to hear! It’s always a win when the kids love it. Thanks for sharing your success! 😊
Instead of chicken, I used tofu. Still good!
I love that you used tofu! Even better for the environment. Can’t wait to try it your way!
Tofu? Really? I don’t know how that would taste. Isn’t chicken better for flavor?
375°F seems low-ish—mine took closer to 50 minutes to be hot all the way through. But once it got there, it tasted great.
Totally agree—375°F is kinda gentle for something that’s basically a casserole with layers. Mine was more like 45-50 min too before it felt properly hot in the middle. But yeah, the flavor after it’s done is worth it.
Hmm, I baked mine exactly 35 minutes and it was fine? Maybe depends on how thick you spread it and whether your rice/chicken were super cold from the fridge. I did keep it in a slightly deeper dish though, so next time I’ll check earlier/late.
I burned the breadcrumb top a little (oops). Still tasted good, though. Lower oven rack and keep an eye on it near the end.
I didn’t have broccoli, so I used green beans? It was still good but not the same I think.
Heard this is good, but I think it’s too basic. Where’s the spices? Only garlic powder? Come on people!
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about rice + casserole texture, but it came out creamy in my head. Might try it with brown rice too.
I swapped the cheddar for mozzarella and it was so gooey!
OMG I don’t even like broccoli, but this was actually really good! 10/10!
Just made this, but I used quinoa instead of rice. Still worked out great, I think! Not sure if that’s allowed tho.
Made this tonight and it turned out so comforting. The topping is legit—golden and slightly crunchy. I used leftover rotisserie chicken and it still worked perfectly.
That sounds exactly like the kind of casserole I crave—warm, cheesy, and actually crunchy on top. 🙌 Using leftover rotisserie chicken is genius; I’m stealing that next time.
Super easy, my kids helped and we had a blast! Thanks for the simple recipe!
I think I mistook onion powder for garlic powder. Oops! Still, it tasted fine, a bit funky tho!
Too much cheese for my taste but my husband enjoyed it. He’s a cheese monster!
Feels like something’s missing. Maybe more spice?
Broccoli is the worst 🤢. I used spinach instead. Might try again, but only if I wanna eat healthy.
Easy and quick! Perfect for busy weeknights. I added some hot sauce on top for a kick and it was delicious!
I tried this recipe too! It’s so easy, I can’t believe I made something this good. Adding hot sauce was a genius idea! 😋
My kids devoured it! Definitely a winner in my house!
*shrug* it was food. not bad i guess.
Thought it would be better… a bit too bland for my taste. I added more spices but still felt off.
It came out a little dry for me, even though I baked for 35 minutes. Next time I’ll add a splash more milk or cover it with foil halfway.
I tried this but it was sooo bland! Next time I’ll add more spices.
I actually think it’s a great base! Maybe try paprika or some cayenne for heat? Just a suggestion.
Tbh, I didn’t find it bland at all! But spicing it up sounds fun, I guess everyone has different taste.
This is basically chicken and rice with cheese… but, like, in a good way. Quick and crowd-pleasing. 5/5!
This sounds like a comfort-food win. The cheesy breadcrumb top is exactly my weakness—making this for dinner this week!
One question… is the chicken supposed to be cooked already? ‘Diced, cooked’ makes sense, just checking. Also, I forgot to cool it and it was a mess.
I think the milk/sour cream amount might be a bit low for 2 cups rice and 2 cups broccoli, but maybe it depends on how wet your rice is.
5 stars! But where’s the secret ingredient? It needs more pizzazz!
So much chicken! Maybe a bit too much for my liking.
Not bad, but it felt a little bland until I added extra pepper and some garlic salt. Also I accidentally forgot to grease the dish and it stuck a bit—oops.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about using milk + sour cream like that, but it came out creamy. Texture was spot on once it baked the full time.
This recipe is awesome! My kids loved it! Will make again!
Casserole? More like cassero-no! Didn’t turn out good for me.
Chicken + broccoli + rice casserole… I mean, it’s fine, but why would I bake this when I can just do a quick stir fry? Feels a little redundant.
Could add chicken and rice to anything and make it better. Not a fan of brocolli tho but I guess I can survive it.
I totally agree! Chicken and rice just makes everything better. Can’t wait to try this recipe, even with the broccoli!
Broccoli’s not so bad! Maybe you just need to try it different ways. I think it adds a nice crunch! 😄
Yummy! But I had leftovers, so what to do with cold casserole? 🤔
Yummmm! Perfect for dinner. Plus, it’s kind of healthy right? 😄
Absolutely! It’s a great way to sneak in those veggies. 😋
Healthy? I dunno, there’s a lotta cheese and sour cream in there. Doesn’t sound too healthy to me! 🤔
Is it really healthy with all this cheese and sour cream? Idk seems like a lot.
Looks good, but I don’t like broccoli. Can I use spinach instead?
Not expecting much from chicken and rice, but wow this surprised me. Never thought it would taste this good!
I used frozen broccoli instead and it turned out fine. Good recipe but I think it should have less cheese!
I love that you used frozen broccoli! I’ve done that before too. But less cheese? No way, more cheese is always better! 😄
Ain’t no real cook use sour cream in a casserole! LOL no thanks! #SouthernCooking
Casserole? More like a mess in my kitchen. Didn’t turn out as expected. 😒
It was alright, but I think it needed more flavor. I might add some cayenne next time.
Made it tonight—pretty darn good. I used a bit more broccoli because I love it, and the breadcrumb/cheese top got nicely golden.
Nice! That breadcrumb/cheese top is the best part—glad it turned golden for you. Love the extra broccoli too 🙌
Simple n quick! I just used what I had. No cheddar just mozerella n it was still yummy. But my kids… they loved it!
This was super easy to make! My kids loved it. Will definitely make it again!
I’m glad your kids loved it! It’s a great way to sneak in some veggies. Can’t wait to try it myself!
Too much cheese for my taste, I could barely taste anything else. Next time, less cheese!
Eh, this was okay. I prefer my broccolis raw.
I tried this but it was too bland for my taste. Maybe add more spices?
The broccoli stayed a little firm for my taste—maybe I should steam it first next time. Otherwise the creamy sauce was really good.
So tasty!! I added some red pepper flakes for a kick. Will def make again!
Yum! Best comfort food ever. Will definitely make it again. 👌
Too much milk! Casserole turned out soupy. 😒
Yummy! But took longer to bake than you said, maybe my oven is weird or something.
I don’t get it, why add sour cream? 🤔 I skipped it and it was fine.
Awesome recipe! My kids ate it all up and didn’t even notice the broccoli! Sneaky healthy dinner! 😊
This sounds like the perfect “use up what I have” casserole. The cheesy topping + garlic is a winning combo. Going to try it this week!
That’s exactly how I like casseroles—use-up friendly but still comforting. The garlic powder really does make a difference. Hope it turns out great!
Pretty solid. I think 35 minutes was a bit short for my dish since my casserole was deeper, so I ended up baking closer to 45. Still tasty though, would make again.
Glad it turned out! Yeah, deeper casseroles definitely need extra time—mine usually runs more like 45 too.
Gr8 recipe! I added some hot sauce for a kick. Will make again!
The best casserole ever! So creamy and delicious. Perfect for a quick dinner. 💖
Looks good but I wonder if it really is that creamy. Ain’t casseroles usually dry? 🤔
Totally agree! This casserole is a game-changer. I added some mushrooms for extra flavor, and it turned out amazing! 🍄
Sorry, this ain’t my thing. Tasted kinda bland to me.
Gotta agree with ya, it’s not the most exciting dish. Needs more spices or something.
Good eats! But I forgot the breadcrumbs lol.
This was so delish! My family loved it! Definitely a 5 star!
This casserole is so simple and delicious! I loved the cheesy topping.
I tried this recipe yesterday. It was super yummy! My family loved it too. Thanks for sharing!
This was so good! I loved the blend of flavors and the cheese on top is just divine! Will definitely make it again!
I tried this and it was terrible! The flavors didn’t blend at all. Maybe it’s just me, but I won’t be making it again.
I’m skeptical about the milk + sour cream mixture—sounds like it could split. Mine didn’t, but I was nervous the whole time lol.
This dish was amazing! My family loved it, especially the cheesy top! Will definitely make again!
Made this tonight and it was comfort-food perfection. The topping gets all golden and crunchy, and the creamy mix holds together really well. Will definitely repeat.
Why are there so many cheeses? 🤷♂️ Can I just use one? Anyway, turned out okay.
You can definitely use just one cheese! Cheddar would be great. And I’m glad it turned out okay! 😊
So easy! I didn’t have sour cream so I used Greek yogurt and it still worked. My whole family ate it without complaining (rare!).
Is it just me or does chicken always dry out in casseroles? Mine did. 😩
Tastes delicious! I added some diced bell peppers for extra color 🌈.
I tried this recipe, but my broccoli turned mushy. What did I do wrong? I’m not sure I would make this again.
Grate cheddar? Do I have to do that? Can’t I just use the bag stuff? But it was good.
This is comfort food for sure. I wish the recipe said whether to thaw the broccoli first (mine was straight from freezer). It was okay though.
This casserole is amazing! My whole family loved it. Will definitely make again!
I don’t understand why this recipe is so popular. It was kinda bland to me. Maybe I should have added more spices?
I get what you mean! I think adding more spices could definitely help. I usually throw in a bit of paprika or cayenne for some kick!
Bland? Nah, I thought it was awesome! Maybe you just need to be more adventurous with flavors. Ever tried it with hot sauce?
This tastes super comforting. The garlic + cheese topping is a great combo, and the broccoli doesn’t get mushy at all. I baked it right at 38 minutes and it was perfect.
Yum! I used riced cauliflower instead of normal rice. Taste great and low carb!
Delicious!! I used frozen broccoli and it worked perfectly! Easy recipe too. Thanks!
I’m glad it worked for you! Frozen broccoli is such a lifesaver. I usually use fresh, but I will try frozen next time.
Too much cheese! Yikes! I won’t make it again.
Didn’t have sour cream so I used yogurt. It turned out fine, I think. I’ll try sour cream next time.
I love broccoli rice casserole! But can’t cook chicken. Can I use tuna?
the cheese was nice. but honestly, cooking is hard and this had too many steps for me. 😩 just want fast meals!
Easy to make, but why do I have to preheat the oven? Can’t I just throw it all in at once??
You gotta preheat! It helps the casserole cook evenly. Just trust the process.
Why not just toss it in? Sounds easier but maybe it don’t bake right? 🤷♂️
Gr8 n easy for weeknight dinner. I’m not a cook, but I nailed it!
Yum! Super easy and delicious. A perfect weeknight meal!
Totally agree! It’s one of my go-to meals for busy weekdays. Love how quick it is!
I like the simplicity, but I’d add a little more seasoning (maybe smoked paprika). Still, the ratio of chicken/rice/broccoli looks solid.
I used quinoa instead of rice! Turned out great! So healthy!
Looks yummy but 1/2 cup cheddar + 1/4 cup parmesan is probably not enough for me. Also, baking time depends on the rice type—brown rice needs longer, right?
Totally get it—cheese amounts are kind of “light” if you’re a big melty-cheese person. I usually bump it up a bit (like +1/4–1/2 cup cheddar) and it still bakes fine.
The broccoli kinda soggy… but overall i liked the recipe. Easy to follow.
Yeah, I had the same issue with the broccoli. Maybe it’s best to steam it first or something? Glad you liked it otherwise!
This casserole came out fantastic! So creamy and delicious. My family loved it!
I messed up the steps and it didn’t look like the picture, but still tasted okay.