One-Pan Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Bake
A simple, cheesy casserole that combines tender chicken, broccoli, and creamy rice in one pan — perfect for busy weeknights and picky eaters. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 60 minutes pairs uncooked long grain white rice, low sodium chicken broth, frozen broccoli florets for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 (about 1 lb) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups frozen broccoli florets
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 2: Place 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts in the baking dish and season evenly with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Spread 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice around the chicken breasts in an even layer.
- Step 4: Scatter 2 cups frozen broccoli florets evenly over the rice.
- Step 5: Pour 2 cups low sodium chicken broth gently over the rice and broccoli, being careful not to wash off the seasoning on the chicken.
- Step 6: Dot the top with 4 oz cream cheese in small chunks and sprinkle 2 cloves minced garlic evenly over everything.
- Step 7: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.
- Step 8: Remove foil and sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken and rice mixture.
- Step 9: Return to oven uncovered and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly, and chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- Step 10: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Bake take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (10 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pan Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Bake?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep low sodium chicken broth from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Bake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pan Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Bake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pan Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Bake?
American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.