Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole (low carb)
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole (Easy, High Protein, Low Carb Option)
If you’re looking for a cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole that’s easy, comforting, and actually filling, this is one you’ll want to keep on repeat.
This recipe has everything you love about a classic chicken broccoli casserole with rice, but with a lighter twist using cauliflower rice. It’s still creamy, still cheesy, and still gives you that cozy, baked casserole feel—just a little more balanced.
It also doubles as a high protein chicken casserole, making it perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or those nights when you want something simple that everyone will actually eat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- High protein and satisfying
- Lower carb thanks to cauliflower rice
- Easy, one-pan dinner
- Family-friendly and kid approved
- Great for leftovers
Ingredients (4 servings)
- ½ TBSP olive oil (about 1½ tsp)
- ½ onion, chopped
- 1 TBSP minced garlic
- 1 TBSP butter
- 1.25 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 TBSP flour
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 12 oz frozen broccoli
- 12 oz frozen riced cauliflower
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
*printable recipe card is available at the bottom of this page
Step One: Preheat
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Step Two: Soften Onions
Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened. (This is where I like to use my chopper to make things quick and uniform.)
Shop: Chopper
Shop: Oven-Safe Cookware
Step Three: Add Garlic
Stir in the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
Step Four: Melt the Butter & Add Chicken
Add the butter, and once melted, add the chicken.
The chicken should be cut into bite-size pieces, then patted dry with a paper towel before seasoning with salt and pepper. I also added garlic powder and paprika here, but the seasoning is flexible and really up to you.
Step Five: Cook the Chicken
Cook the chicken until mostly done—it does not need to be fully cooked through since it will finish in the oven.
While the chicken is cooking, steam the broccoli and cauliflower according to package directions, but only for about 2 minutes each. You want them just slightly tender. Be sure to drain off any excess liquid so your casserole doesn’t get watery.
Step Six: Add Flour
Sprinkle the flour over the chicken and stir until absorbed.
Step Seven: Add Chicken Broth
Add the chicken broth and cook for 1–2 minutes, until slightly thickened. Then turn off the heat.
Step Eight: Assemble
Stir in the broccoli, cauliflower, half of the cheese, and the beaten egg. Mix everything together until well combined.
Step Nine: Top with Cheese
Top with the remaining cheese. If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer everything to a casserole dish—but using one pan makes cleanup so much easier.
Step Ten: Bake
Bake for 30–35 minutes, then broil for 1–2 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
Step Eleven: Before Serving
Let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Servings
This recipe makes about 4 servings.
If you double it, you’ll have 8 servings, which is perfect for feeding a family of 5 and still having leftovers for lunch the next day.
Nutrition (Per Serving – Estimated)
- Calories: ~520
- Protein: ~55g
- Carbohydrates: ~18g
- Fat: ~24g
This is a great option if you’re looking for a high protein dinner that still feels like comfort food.
Tips for the Best Chicken Broccoli Casserole
- Don’t overcook the chicken: It will finish cooking in the oven.
- Pat the chicken dry: This helps it brown instead of steam.
- Steam veggies lightly: Just 2 minutes keeps them from getting mushy.
- Drain excess liquid: Especially from the broccoli to avoid a watery casserole.
- Shred your own cheese: It melts better and gives the best texture.
Can You Double This Recipe?
Yes—and it doubles perfectly.
Just double all ingredients and bake in a larger dish. You may need to add an extra 5–10 minutes to the cook time depending on how deep your casserole is.
This is a great option for:
- meal prep
- feeding a crowd
- planning ahead for busy weeks
Kitchen Tools I Used
To keep this recipe quick and easy, a few kitchen tools really help:
- A chopper for quickly dicing onions
- A rotary grater for shredding cheese
- An oven-safe skillet so you can go from stovetop to oven in one pan
You’ll also see my table runner and oven mitts in the final photos—I’ll link everything below if you want the same setup.
Shop: Kate Spade Table Runner
Shop: Kate Spafe Oven Mitts
Final Thoughts
This easy chicken broccoli casserole is one of those recipes that just works. It’s simple, flexible, and hits that perfect balance between comfort food and a more balanced dinner.
Whether you’re looking for a low carb chicken broccoli casserole, a high protein chicken dinner, or just an easy meal for a busy night—this one delivers every time.
More Easy Chicken Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights
If you love easy, family-friendly dinners like this cheesy chicken broccoli casserole, here are a few more chicken recipes to add to your weekly rotation:
Slow Cooker Chicken Pie with Biscuits
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole (low carb)
Ingredients
- ½ TBSP olive oil about 1½ tsp
- ½ onion chopped
- 1 TBSP minced garlic
- 1 TBSP butter
- 1.25 lbs chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: garlic powder and paprika to taste
- 1 TBSP flour
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 12 oz frozen broccoli
- 12 oz frozen riced cauliflower
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 egg beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened.
- While the onion cooks, pat chicken dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper (and optional garlic powder and paprika).
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add butter. Once melted, add chicken.
- Cook chicken until mostly done (it does not need to be fully cooked through).
- Steam broccoli and cauliflower for about 2 minutes each, just until slightly tender. Drain any excess liquid.
- Sprinkle flour over chicken and stir until absorbed.
- Add chicken broth and cook for 1–2 minutes, until slightly thickened. Turn off heat.
- Stir in broccoli, cauliflower, half of the cheese, and the beaten egg. Mix until well combined.
- Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, then broil 1–2 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Let sit for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
🔁 Doubling Instructions
This recipe can be doubled to make 8 servings. Perfect for feeding a family of 5 with leftovers for lunch the next day.🥗 Macros (Estimated per serving)
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 55g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fat: 24g
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