Speedy One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Bake Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this hearty one pot cheesy chicken broccoli rice bake that promises pure culinary delight.

Creamy, satisfying, and packed with wholesome ingredients, this dish delivers a perfect balance of protein and vegetables.

The golden-brown cheese topping melts into every single bite, creating an irresistible texture.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this simple yet impressive meal.

Busy home cooks will appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together with minimal cleanup.

Layers of tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and soft rice blend seamlessly under a blanket of melted cheese.

You’ll want to add this crowd-pleasing recipe to your regular rotation.

Easy Steps to Make This All-In-One Comfort Dish

• Chicken and Onion Foundation

Grab a spacious skillet and warm it with olive oil. Drop in chopped onions and chicken chunks, letting them dance and brown together. Season generously with salt and pepper for a flavor explosion.

• Rice and Liquid Magic

Sprinkle minced garlic into the skillet, creating an aromatic base. Pour in uncooked rice, creamy soup, and savory broth. Stir everything together, ensuring the rice can swim comfortably in liquid.

• Simmering Symphony

Cover the skillet and let ingredients mingle over gentle heat. Watch as rice absorbs the liquid and transforms into a tender masterpiece. Peek occasionally to prevent sticking.

• Broccoli and Cheese Finale

Nestle bright green broccoli florets into the rice landscape. Shower the surface with sharp cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt and create irresistible golden patches.

• Broiler Brilliance

Slide the skillet under the broiler, letting cheese bubble and turn into a crispy, golden blanket. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.

• Serving Celebration

Sprinkle fresh parsley over the dish for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately while the cheese is still gooey and inviting.

Flavor Tips for Better Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Bake

• Replace chicken with ground turkey, shredded rotisserie chicken, or diced ham for a quick flavor transformation.
• Experiment with different vegetables like cauliflower, spinach, or mixed frozen vegetable blends to add extra nutrition and color.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes, add a dash of smoked paprika, or stir in some hot sauce to create a zesty kick that elevates the entire dish.
• Try different cheese combinations like pepper jack, mozzarella, or a sharp white cheddar to create unique flavor profiles that keep the recipe exciting.
• Prepare the entire dish ahead of time, cover, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, simply reheat in the oven and add fresh cheese on top for a quick and convenient meal.

How to Serve This Rice Bake at Any Weeknight Dinner

• Serve with Zesty Side Salad: Toss together a crisp green salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the rich, cheesy chicken rice bake.
• Pair with Crusty Bread: Grab a warm, crusty baguette or garlic bread to soak up the delicious cheesy sauce and add a delightful textural contrast to the meal.
• Create a Complete Meal Plate: Add a small portion of roasted vegetables like carrots or asparagus to round out the nutritional profile and provide extra color and flavor to the dish.
• Enhance with Creamy Sauce: Drizzle a quick homemade ranch or herb-infused sour cream on top to add an extra layer of creamy goodness and brighten up the entire dish.

Tips for One-Pot Chicken Rice Storage

• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop chicken, onions, and broccoli in advance to reduce cooking time and simplify meal preparation during busy weeknights.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled chicken broccoli rice bake to freezer-safe containers, where it will maintain quality for 2-3 months when properly sealed.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated portions in the microwave or oven, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent dryness, ensuring the rice and chicken remain tender and flavorful.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes into One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Bake

• Chicken: Lean protein that adds heartiness and absorbs delicious seasonings, choose boneless skinless cuts for easy preparation.
• Onions: Provides sweet aromatic foundation, select fresh firm onions without soft spots or sprouting.

• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients smoothly, choose extra virgin for richer taste.
• Chicken Broth: Creates moisture and enhances overall savory profile, opt for low-sodium varieties for better control.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Adds creamy texture and depth, look for reduced-fat options if preferred.

• Rice: Provides hearty base and absorbs surrounding flavors, use long-grain white rice for consistent cooking.
• Garlic: Delivers intense aromatic punch, choose fresh cloves over pre-minced for maximum flavor.
• Broccoli Florets: Introduces nutritious green element, select fresh crisp florets with vibrant color.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds rich tangy notes, select sharp variety for more intense flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers bright finishing touch, choose crisp leaves with deep green color.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning agents, use freshly ground black pepper for enhanced taste.

Cooking Tools for Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice in One Go

• Large oven-proof skillet: Your main cooking vessel for this entire one-pot meal.
• Cutting board: For chopping onions and chicken safely.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient preparation.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients during cooking.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure broth and rice.
• Broiler: Used for final cheese melting and browning step.
• Cheese grater (optional): If using block cheese instead of pre-shredded.
• Fresh parsley (optional): For final garnish.

Hearty One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Bake Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty one pot cheesy chicken broccoli rice bake delivers comfort on cold nights. Creamy cheese sauce, tender chicken, and nutritious broccoli combine for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 2 chicken fillets, cut into small cubes
• 10 oz (1 can) cream of chicken soup
• 2 cups (480 ml) low sodium chicken broth
• ¾ cup (150 g) rice, uncooked
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup (100 g) cheddar cheese
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Sauté Protein: Heat a large oven-proof skillet over medium temperature. Drizzle olive oil and combine diced onions with chicken cubes. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until chicken turns golden and fully cooked. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Build Base Layer: Add minced garlic and quickly introduce uncooked long-grain rice, condensed cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth. Bring mixture to a robust boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 15-18 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent rice from sticking.
3. Incorporate Vegetables: Gently fold broccoli florets into the partially cooked rice mixture. Sprinkle half the cheddar cheese throughout, stirring to distribute evenly. Allow broccoli to soften slightly and cheese to melt.
4. Cheese Finish: Top the dish with remaining cheddar cheese, creating an even layer. Transfer skillet to broiler for 2-3 minutes, monitoring closely to achieve a perfectly golden and bubbly cheese crust.
5. Serve and Garnish: Remove from heat and let dish rest for 2-3 minutes. Elegantly scatter freshly chopped parsley across the surface. Serve immediately while cheese remains irresistibly melted and appetizing.

Notes

• Skillet Selection: Use a large, oven-proof skillet to ensure seamless stovetop-to-broiler cooking without transferring ingredients.
• Rice Hydration Hack: Watch liquid levels closely during cooking, adding extra broth if rice seems dry to prevent burning and ensure perfectly tender grains.
• Cheese Melting Tip: Monitor broiler carefully to achieve golden, bubbly cheese topping without burning – typically 2-3 minutes with oven door slightly open.
• Protein Perfection: Ensure chicken reaches golden color and loses pink center to guarantee food safety and maximum flavor development during initial sautéing stage.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg