Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole (Gluten free)

This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole includes chicken broth, rice, chicken and broccoli with a melted cheesy topping. You can choose between cooking up some fresh chicken or save time by using a Rotisserie chicken! This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is made all in one pan and in less than 30 minutes.

This rice casserole is cheesy, packed with broccoli and lean chicken, and is cozy and comforting in the winter months! Plus, it is SUPER easy to make with really affordable ingredients!

If you love these easy weeknight gluten free dinner recipes with chicken, you’ll also love my southwestern chicken bowl, my creamy chicken thighs recipe and my big mac casserole.

This easy weeknight dinner is the ultimate comfort food recipe that takes me RIGHT back to my childhood. My family and I have been eating this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole for years. I used to eat it all the time as a kid and now I still make it as an adult for my family.

This recipe makes for the best comfort food! This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is so cheesy, packed with good for you ingredients and a total feel-good meal. It’s packed with flavor, not to mention lots of chicken and broccoli.

This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is cheesy and an easy dinner loaded with simple ingredients! This dish is perfect for a busy weeknight when things are hectic and you don’t have a lot of time to cook dinner. It is perfect to make when it’s 5 pm and you have no idea what to make for dinner.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Honestly this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is simple and uses affordable, easy to find ingredients. Can’t beat that.
• Ideal for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table asap. With this recipe dinner will be on the table in no time, and you only need a few ingredients.
• 30 Minute, One-Pot Meal. Yep, you heard that right! This recipe only takes 30-minutes and only uses one pot…or one pan! I love these quick and easy meals, and hate doing dishes so this is a win win!
• This Chicken Rice Casserole is allergy friendly. It is naturally gluten free. You can use dairy free cheese for an easy dairy free recipe!
• It’s an easy freezer friendly meal, which means it is a great option for a meal prep lunches or dinners! I love to have it ready to go when I need to just pull a dinner out of the freezer and heat it up quick.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Chicken breasts: I used chicken breasts in this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole but you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs here or even a rotisserie chicken. If you only have ground meat such as ground chicken or even ground turkey or ground beef that works here too!

Broccoli: I like to cut mine into tiny florets. You can use fresh or frozen broccoli.

Rice: I used basmati rice. You can use jasmine rice or brown rice instead. If you want you can also use frozen rice, instant rice or microwavable rice but you will need to reduce the amount of liquid.

Chicken bone broth or chicken stock: Either work!

Cheddar cheese: Sliced or shredded cheese works here. Use dairy free cheese for a dairy free recipe.

How do I make this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole?

For the stovetop recipe: (scroll down for crockpot recipe or oven baked recipe) First, I season the chicken breasts with garlic, salt and pepper. Then, I heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned. Continue to cook on medium heat, covered until chicken is fully cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165, and the broccoli and rice are warmed. Remove chicken and set aside.

Next, I reduce heat to medium. I pour in bone broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan. I add rice to the skillet, following rice package directions. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat, cover, and cook until rice is done.

If broccoli is fresh, I chop into small florets and add to rice when there is about 7 minutes remaining. If broccoli is frozen, I wait to add it until there is only 2 minutes left.

Once the rice is done, I add back the chicken. Then, I top each chicken piece with a slice of cheddar cheese. I place the lid back on and turn down to low until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Option to add to oven and broil for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese. I remove from stove top. I season with salt, pepper and parsley and serve!

Expert Tips & Tricks

Feel free to add other veggies to this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole! You can add spinach, mushrooms, peppers, onions, or even cauliflower.

My favorite part about this casserole is the melted cheese. I like to place the skillet under the broiler just for a minute or two until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.

You can prep this Broccoli Rice Casserole beforehand and it makes for perfect leftovers! You can even make it for a meal prep and store it in individual containers for when you need a portioned out meal.

Can I use frozen broccoli?

Absolutely! If I use frozen broccoli I just let it thaw in a bowl for a half hour before I start making this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole. Then, before I throw it in the pan I make sure to pat it dry with a paper towel. Remember that frozen broccoli is already partially cooked or blanched so it will get softer faster when cooking.

Can I use a Rotisserie Chicken?

Absolutely! This is a great way to save time when making this recipe. 2 cups of rotisserie chicken or shredded chicken works great in this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.

Pro tip: Since a store bought rotisserie chicken can sometimes be salty, I always pivot to using low sodium chicken broth so that the meal doesn’t turn out too salty.

Can I make this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole in a casserole dish?

Absolutely! To convert this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole recipe into a comforting oven casserole, start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Season your chicken breasts and place them in a large casserole dish. In a separate bowl, mix the uncooked rice, broccoli florets, bone broth, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender. Remove the foil, shred the chicken with forks, and stir everything to combine. Top the chicken and rice mixture with cheddar cheese slices, and return the dish to the oven uncovered for 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Can I make this in a crockpot?

Yes! First, ditch the skillet searing. Instead, place the seasoned chicken breasts directly into the crockpot. Pour in the bone broth, uncooked rice, and broccoli florets (fresh or frozen, it’ll cook through). Cook on low for 4-6 hours, or high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and the rice is cooked. Shred the chicken with two forks directly in the crockpot. Then, top with cheddar cheese slices, cover, and let it melt for a few minutes on low. A sprinkle of parsley before serving adds a fresh touch. Remember, crockpots retain moisture, so you might need slightly less broth than the stovetop version of this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.

Can I freeze this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole?

Yes! Assemble the Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole as outlined but skip the part where you melt the cheese. I just like to put the cheese on top and let it melt when I am ready to defrost and serve. Once frozen, I let it thaw for 24 hours in the fridge. You may need to add 15 minutes to cooking time if it is not fully defrosted before warming.

How do I Store this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole?

To store, I let the Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole cool completely before refrigerating in an airtight container for up to four days.

For longer storage, I love to portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months.

Can I meal prep this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole?

To meal prep this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole into individual portions, divide into separate containers. These individual portions are my favorite for great grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners during the week.

How do I reheat leftovers?

If Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole leftovers are stored in the fridge, I add to a skillet and warm on medium low heat so it does not burn. Make sure to only heat it until it is warm and not overcook.

If leftovers are stored in the freezer, let thaw overnight. Then, add to a skillet and warm on medium low heat so it does not burn. Make sure to only heat it until it is warm and not overcook.

Looking for more gluten free recipes?

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