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One Dish Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Bake

Mar 17, 2025

This One-Dish Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Bake is the perfect comfort food—hearty, creamy, and packed with flavor! Tender chicken, fluffy rice, and broccoli come together in a cheesy, savory sauce, all baked in one dish for easy prep and minimal cleanup.


Ingredients

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Main Casserole Ingredients

  • 1 head broccoli, finely chopped (about 3½ cups)
  • 1½ cups long-grain white rice
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (850g), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese, divided
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1½ cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk

Cheese Topping

  • 1½ cups grated cheddar cheese

How to Make One-Dish Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Bake

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a 9×13-inch casserole dish, add the chopped broccoli, uncooked rice, chicken, half of the parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Stir everything together so the seasonings evenly coat the chicken and rice.

Step 2: Add the Liquid

  1. Pour in the chicken broth and milk, stirring to combine all ingredients.
  2. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.

Step 3: Bake Until Rice is Tender

  1. Bake for 45-60 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
  2. Remove the casserole from the oven and discard the foil.

Step 4: Add the Cheesy Topping

  1. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese evenly over the casserole.
  2. Add the grated cheddar cheese on top.

Step 5: Broil for the Perfect Finish

  1. Set the oven to broil and return the casserole to the oven. Broil for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden brown around the edges.

Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!

  1. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

Switch Up the Veggies: Replace the broccoli with cauliflower, zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach—finely chopped for even cooking.
Make it Creamier: Stir in ½ cup sour cream or cream cheese for an ultra-creamy texture.
Add Some Crunch: Sprinkle the top with buttered panko breadcrumbs before broiling for an extra crispy topping.
Swap the Cheese: Use mozzarella, gouda, or Monterey Jack for a different cheesy twist.
Make it Spicy: Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a little heat.


FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble everything in the casserole dish up to a day in advance. Store covered in the fridge and bake when ready.

Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes! Bake it, let it cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.

What can I serve with this dish?
Serve it with a side salad, roasted veggies, or garlic bread for a complete meal.


This One-Dish Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Bake is a family-friendly, easy-to-make dinner that will save you time in the kitchen while delivering big flavors! Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping.

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One Dish Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Bake

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 6 reviews

Ingredients

1 head of finely chopped broccoli (about 3 1/2 cups)

1 1/2 cups long grain white rice

4 chicken breasts (850g), cut into bite sized pieces

1 cup parmesan cheese, divided

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 cup of milk

1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F

1. Add the broccoli, rice, chicken, half the parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to a 9×13 casserole dish. Stir to mix everything together. Pour over the chicken broth and milk. Stir to combine. Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the oven for 45-60 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through.

 

Tip: Replace the 3 cups of broccoli with any combination of vegetables. The smaller they are cut (or even better, pop them into the food processor) the easier they will meld into the rice and chicken.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag me @andreabuckettcooks — I can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Meet the Author

Andrea Buckett

Andrea Buckett is a celebrity chef, bestselling cookbook author, and trusted Canadian food expert known for flavour-forward recipes and practical kitchen tips. You can catch her as a featured anchor on CTV’s The Good Stuff with Mary Berg and on programs like ETalk, CTV Your Morning, and Breakfast Television Toronto. She has partnered with top Canadian brands including Canada Beef, Turkey Farmers of Canada, Egg Farmers of Ontario, Farm Boy, and Roots, and appears at major food festivals and culinary events across the country.

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6 Comments

  1. Angela

    Delicious! Perfect family friendly dinner and also great for singles. You can freeze for up to 3 months! A home run!

    Reply
  2. Kathy

    Yummy and easy! I needed something easy. This came together quickly and baked perfectly.

    Reply
  3. Liz Hart

    Made this just for the two of us, so I halved the recipe and put it in a 2 quart baking dish. We both loved….. it so quick and easy and delicious!

    Reply
    • Sandy Nielsen

      Great recipe. Delicious, easy and healthy

      Reply
  4. Sophie Girdler

    A perfect family meal!! Quick. Easy to make. Simple ingredients!! Perfection

    Reply
  5. Debbie Beally

    So simple and easy. Loved it. It truly is a ‘one pot cooking’

    Reply

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