🥦 The Ultimate Creamy Cheddar Chicken and Broccoli Bake: Easy One-Pan Comfort

Author: Jason Griffith

There’s a reason casseroles have stood the test of time. They are the definition of comfort food—warm, hearty, and simple to make. But too often, they end up bland or overly heavy. That is absolutely not the case with this Creamy Cheddar Chicken and Broccoli Bake. It’s the perfect harmony of tender chicken, vibrant green broccoli, and fluffy rice, all suspended in the creamiest, cheesiest sauce you can imagine.

This recipe takes the familiar flavors of a classic bake and elevates them just slightly, creating a weeknight hero that requires minimal cleanup. From the moment you pull that bubbling, golden-brown dish from the oven, you’ll know this is going into your permanent rotation. It’s a complete meal in one dish, perfect for busy families, meal prep, or simply satisfying that craving for truly cozy food.

💖 Why I Love This Recipe

I’m a professional chef, but when I get home after a long day, I want simple, satisfying, and quick. This Creamy Cheddar Chicken and Broccoli Bake checks every single box.

• Speed and Simplicity: With just 15 minutes of prep and a 30-minute bake time, a comforting, homemade dinner is on the table in under an hour.
• The Texture is Everything: We use just the right amount of soup and sour cream to create a sauce that is velvety, not gluey, keeping the rice fluffy and the chicken tender.
• Nutrient-Packed: It’s a sneaky way to get a huge dose of broccoli into the family meal. The powerful cheddar sauce ensures even the pickiest eaters clean their plates!
• Highly Adaptable: It’s a fantastic canvas for leftovers. I often use up rotisserie chicken or yesterday’s cooked rice. It also welcomes whatever vegetables I need to clear out of the fridge.

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🥣 Ingredients for Creamy Cheddar Chicken and Broccoli Bake

This recipe uses a simple list of staple ingredients, proving you don’t need exotic items to create a truly delicious meal.

Ingredient	Quantity	Notes
Cooked Rice	2 cups	Long-grain white rice or brown rice works best.
Cooked Chicken, shredded	2 cups	Rotisserie chicken or baked chicken breasts are great time-savers.
Broccoli, cut into florets	1 head	Fresh is best, but frozen (thawed and drained) is an easy substitute.
Cheddar Cheese, shredded	1 cup	Use sharp cheddar for the best flavor.
Cream of Chicken Soup	1 can (approx. 10.5 oz)	The foundation of the creamy sauce.
Milk	1/2 cup	Whole milk or 2% for richness.
Sour Cream	1/2 cup	Adds a lovely tang and richness.
Garlic Powder	1 teaspoon
Onion Powder	1 teaspoon
Salt and Pepper	To taste
Additional Cheddar Cheese	1/2 cup	For the perfect golden topping.

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🔄 Swaps and Notes

• Rice: Don’t have cooked rice? Quinoa or small pasta like orzo or macaroni can be used, though you may need to adjust the liquid slightly.
• Chicken: Swap the chicken for leftover turkey, or for a seafood twist, try cooked shrimp. If you’re a fan of Southern comfort, consider making a batch of my Classic Spaghetti Recipe with Homemade Sauce instead for another easy dinner.
• Broccoli: Feel free to add in or substitute with other hearty vegetables like frozen peas, chopped carrots, or green beans.
• Cheese: Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or a Colby-Jack blend all melt beautifully and offer a slightly different flavor profile.
• Soup Substitute: If you prefer to avoid the canned soup, you can make your own cream sauce using butter, flour, chicken broth, and milk, seasoned with a pinch of nutmeg.

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📝 Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes Servings: 6 | Kcal: 350 kcal per serving

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat the oven to 375∘F (190∘C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Combine Solids: In a large bowl, combine the 2 cups of cooked rice, 2 cups of shredded chicken, and all of the broccoli florets. Set aside.
3. Make the Creamy Sauce: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, the cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season this mixture generously with salt and pepper.
4. Mix Everything: Pour the creamy soup mixture over the rice, chicken, and broccoli mixture in the large bowl. Use a spatula to combine everything thoroughly, ensuring the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated in the sauce.
5. Bake: Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the top for a golden crust.
6. Rest & Serve: Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the cheese topping is melted and golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set up nicely.

⭐ Tips for Success

• Pre-Cook the Broccoli: For a slightly softer texture, quickly blanch your broccoli florets in boiling water for 1-2 minutes before adding them to the mixture. This ensures they are tender-crisp, not hard.
• Don’t Overbake: Once the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbling, it’s done. Overbaking can dry out the rice and make the sauce too thick.
• Use Hot Rice: If you’re cooking rice specifically for this recipe, use it while it’s still warm. Warm rice tends to mix and absorb the sauce better than cold rice.
• Crowd-Pleaser Option: If you are looking for other fast ways to feed a crowd, you might want to try my recipe for These Sheet Pan Quesadillas are my favorite way to feed a crowd fast.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This casserole is a complete meal, but you can elevate the experience with a few simple sides:

• Fresh Green Salad: A simple side salad with a bright vinaigrette helps cut the richness of the cheese sauce.
• Crusty Bread: Perfect for soaking up every last bit of the creamy sauce. Try a baguette or sourdough.
• Soup Pairing: For a truly cozy meal, serve alongside a light, brothy soup, maybe a simple vegetable or minestrone. For a heartier alternative, my This Cajun Chicken Sausage Gumbo is my favorite bowl of Southern Comfort would pair beautifully.
• Dessert: Follow up this savory classic with a comforting dessert like These Pecan Pie Bars are my favorite make-ahead holiday dessert or for something easier, try This Brownie Batter Dip is my favorite no-bake dessert for instant chocolate cravings.

📊 Nutritional Information Per Serving

Based on 6 servings, the estimated nutritional breakdown is:

• Calories: 350 kcal
• Protein: ~30g
• Fat: ~15g
• Carbohydrates: ~25g

Note: These are estimates and will vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.

🧊 Storage and Leftover Tips

This casserole makes excellent leftovers and is perfect for meal prepping.

• To Store: Allow the casserole to cool completely. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap, or transfer individual portions to airtight containers. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
• To Reheat: For a single serving, place a portion in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 1–2 minutes, or until warmed through. For the entire casserole, cover it with foil and bake in a 350∘F oven for 15–20 minutes, or until hot. Add a splash of milk or broth before reheating if it looks dry.
• Freezing: You can freeze this bake! Prepare the recipe up to the point of baking, cover it tightly with two layers of plastic wrap and one layer of foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then bake as directed.

😋 More Recipes You Will Love

If you enjoyed this easy, comforting casserole, you’ll love these other simple recipes from the Chef Maniac kitchen:

• Classic Spaghetti Recipe with Homemade Sauce
• These Pecan Pie Bars are my favorite make-ahead holiday dessert
• This Brownie Batter Dip is my favorite no-bake dessert for instant chocolate cravings
• This Cajun Chicken Sausage Gumbo is my favorite bowl of Southern Comfort

👋 Final Thoughts

The Creamy Cheddar Chicken and Broccoli Bake is more than just a quick meal; it’s a little slice of culinary nostalgia that delivers big on flavor and warmth. It’s the perfect antidote to a chilly evening or a hectic day. Try it tonight—you might just find your new favorite family dinner.

Let me know in the comments below if you tried this recipe and what you thought of the creamy sauce! Tag us on social media and follow Chef Maniac for more easy, crowd-pleasing recipes!