Print

Crispy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole with Cheddar Ritz Topping

crispy chicken broccoli rice casserole - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy casserole combining tender chicken, broccoli, and rice topped with a buttery, crispy cheddar Ritz cracker crust. Perfect for family dinners and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 3 cups fresh broccoli florets (or thawed and drained frozen broccoli)
  • 2 cups cooked white or brown rice (day-old rice preferred)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (reserve ¼ cup for topping)
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup (or homemade cream sauce)
  • ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
  • ½ cup milk (any kind, including dairy-free options)
  • 1 ½ cups crushed Ritz crackers
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Steam or blanch broccoli florets for 3-4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender but still crisp. Drain well and pat dry.
  3. In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, cooked rice, steamed broccoli, shredded cheddar (reserve ¼ cup for topping), cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk. Stir in onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
  4. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish, pressing down lightly.
  5. In a small bowl, mix crushed Ritz crackers, reserved cheddar cheese, and melted butter until crumbs are evenly coated and crumbly.
  6. Sprinkle the Ritz and cheddar mixture evenly over the casserole base.
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and crispy and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
  8. Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to help it set.

Notes

Use day-old rice for better texture. Steam broccoli to avoid sogginess. Crush Ritz crackers finely for even crispiness. Butter is essential for binding the topping. Let casserole rest before serving. For extra crispiness, broil for last 2 minutes but watch closely to prevent burning. For gluten-free, substitute Ritz crackers with almond flour mixed with cheese crumbs.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken casserole, broccoli casserole, rice casserole, cheddar Ritz topping, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/crispy-chicken-broccoli-rice-casserole-with-cheddar-ritz-topping-recipe/