The combination of tender chicken, creamy Velveeta cheese, vitamin-rich broccoli, and fluffy rice makes this Velveeta Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole a complete meal that’s sure to please your taste buds. Plus, with leftovers, you can enjoy it for lunch the next day!
If you’re looking for a warm, comforting meal that’s easy to make and packs a punch of flavor, look no further than this easy casserole. This delicious casserole is perfect for those busy weeknights or lazy weekends when all you want is a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
If you love making delicious casserole recipes like this one then you may also enjoy this Chicken Fajita Casserole with Rice.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- water
- cooked instant rice
- canned chicken breast
- cream of mushroom soup
- cream of chicken soup
- butter pats
- milk
- frozen broccoli florets
- onion soup mix
- Velveeta cheese
- shredded cheddar cheese
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Velveeta Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Add all the ingredients except 1 cup of cheddar cheese to the casserole dish. Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 15 minutes.
Stir the casserole to mix well, and smooth into an even layer. Top with the remaining cheese. Bake for another 15 – 20 minutes or until the rice is tender.
Hint: For an extremely cheesy casserole, use the full 16 ounces of Velveeta.
Variations
If you’d like to switch up this recipe even more, here are some ideas to check out!
- Southwest Velveeta Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole – Add a little kick to the classic recipe by seasoning the chicken with taco seasoning and adding canned black beans, diced tomatoes, and corn. Use a pepper jack Velveeta cheese instead of the original to further enhance the southwest flavors.
- Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Rice Casserole – Swap out the chicken for diced ham for a salty twist on the classic recipe. Add in sliced mushrooms for an earthy flavor and top with a crispy layer of panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.
- Creamy Cauliflower and Broccoli Rice Casserole – Replace the chicken with roasted cauliflower florets to create a vegetarian version of the recipe. Use low-fat Velveeta cheese and swap the traditional white rice for brown rice for added health benefits. This casserole still packs in the creamy deliciousness of the original recipe but with a healthy twist.
Equipment
- 9×13 casserole dish
- wooden spoon or rubber spatula
Storage
Leftovers – If you have leftovers, separate them into individual portions and store them in airtight containers. This way, you can easily reheat them for future meals.
Reheating – You can reheat the Velveeta chicken broccoli rice casserole in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until it’s heated through. You can preheat your oven to 350°F and bake it for about 15-20 minutes, or until it’s hot and bubbly.
Freezing – To freeze the Velveeta chicken broccoli rice casserole, let it cool down completely and then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or a ziplock bag. Make sure to remove any excess air before sealing them. The casserole can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it as per your preference.
Pro Tips
- Use a non-stick cooking spray or butter to grease the baking dish to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the bottom.
- You can use fresh broccoli florets, but make sure to blanch them for about 3 minutes in boiling water and then rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. This helps to keep the broccoli bright green and tender-crisp in the casserole.
- Make sure to mix all the ingredients well in the baking dish before baking to ensure all the flavors are distributed evenly throughout the casserole.
- You can also add in other ingredients like sliced mushrooms, diced onions or peppers, or even cooked bacon bits to add more nutrients and flavors to the casserole.
FAQ
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
Yes, you can use brown rice instead of white rice to make the casserole. However, brown rice takes longer to cook than white rice, so it’s a good idea to pre-cook the brown rice separately before adding it to the casserole.
Yes, you can make the casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it. Just make sure to cover it with foil or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
Yes, you can make a vegetarian version of the casserole without chicken. You can replace the chicken with roasted cauliflower or mushrooms, or you can omit the protein altogether.
Related Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Serve With
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this delicious casserole :
Recipe Card
Want to make this delicious recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin it so that you can come back to it later.
Velveeta Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Equipment
- 9×13 casserole dish
- wooden spoon or rubber spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups cooked instant rice
- 30 ounces canned chicken breast drained well
- 10.75 ounces cream of mushroom soup
- 10.75 ounces cream of chicken soup
- ¼ cup butter sliced into pats
- 1 cup milk
- 12 ounces frozen broccoli florets
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese you can use up to 16 ounces
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9 x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place all of the ingredients EXCEPT 1 cup of cheddar cheese into the prepared casserole dish.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Carefully stir the casserole well and smooth into an even layer.
- Top with the remaining cheese.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until the rice and broccoli are tender.
- Notes: For an extremely cheesy casserole, use the full 16 ounces of Velveeta.
Notes
- Use a non-stick cooking spray or butter to grease the baking dish to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the bottom.
- You can use fresh broccoli florets, but make sure to blanch them for about 3 minutes in boiling water and then rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. This helps to keep the broccoli bright green and tender-crisp in the casserole.
- Make sure to mix all the ingredients well in the baking dish before baking to ensure all the flavors are distributed evenly throughout the casserole.
- You can also add in other ingredients like sliced mushrooms, diced onions or peppers, or even cooked bacon bits to add more nutrients and flavors to the casserole.
Can I use boneless skinless chicken breast for this recipe? I don’t use canned meat of any king at all !!!
Yes, just make sure to use cooked chicken and not raw!
I’m trying it for dinner tonight, step by step of the recipe except the onion soup mix lol. I am hoping that won’t make much of a difference🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
It shouldn’t make a huge difference for you. You can add some extra salt and pepper to increase the flavor if needed. I hope you enjoy it!