Cheesy chicken broccoli rice bakes tender chicken, broccoli, and rice in a creamy cheddar sauce for the perfect one-dish family dinner. High in protein and endlessly comforting, it's a weeknight staple.
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray for easy cleanup.
Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion for 2–3 minutes until translucent, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add uncooked rice to the skillet and stir for 1 minute to toast lightly, then remove the skillet from heat.
In the prepared baking dish, evenly layer the rice mixture, raw chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces, chicken broth, milk, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine.
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, stir well, and add broccoli florets. Re-cover and bake for 15 more minutes until the rice is almost tender.
Uncover, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, and bake uncovered for 10–12 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the rice is fully cooked.
Let stand for 5–10 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to firm up.