Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Bake
Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Rice Bake is a comforting, one-pan casserole that combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and rice in a rich, creamy sauce, often baked until bubbly and golden. It typically features ingredients like chicken breast or thighs, broccoli florets, white or brown rice, cream of chicken soup or a homemade béchamel, cheese, and seasonings. This dish is a staple of American home cooking and family-style comfort food, popular for its convenience and crowd-pleasing appeal.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is generally high in protein from the chicken and carbohydrates from the rice, with a moderate to high fat content depending on the cream sauce and cheese used. It provides key nutrients like fiber and vitamins C and K from the broccoli, along with calcium from the dairy components, and a typical serving ranges from 400 to 600 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 420 kcal |
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbs | 35 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Calcium | 180 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Potassium | 420 mg |
| Vitamin A | 210 mcg RAE |
| Vitamin C | 35 mg |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 mcg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.8 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 310 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it represents the mid-20th century rise of convenience cooking in the United States, often using canned soups for quick preparation. Nutritionally, the combination of lean protein, whole grains (if brown rice is used), and vegetables makes it a balanced meal that can be adapted for healthier versions by reducing cream or adding more vegetables.
