Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Chicken And Rice Casserole is creamy cheesy comfort food made with chicken, broccoli, rice and cheese, but made in the Instant Pot for a quick and easy one-pot meal.
Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Chicken And Rice Casserole
This recipe is perfect when you want delicious cheesy comfort food …. fast! Broccoli Cheese Chicken and Rice Casserole or Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole is one of the most popular comfort foods, making it family friendly. For a high protein, whole grain version of this comfort food, it can be found at Chicken Broccoli Cheese Quinoa Casserole on this website.
The difference between this Broccoli Cheese Chicken and Rice Casserole recipe and other traditional recipes is that this one is pressure cooked in an Instant Pot pressure cooker making it a one-pot meal that is ready in under 30 minutes! It is now one of my favorite Instant Pot Recipes.
There are so many things to love about this recipe.
- Comfort Food. It is creamy and cheesy with amazing flavor! It is pure comfort food that feels like you receive a big hug when you eat it.
- Flavor. This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is similar to the traditional but includes Worcestershire and Ranch Seasoning Mix to add additional flavor.
- Family friendly. It is traditionally a very popular casserole that the whole family can enjoy.
- No Canned Soups. It has NO CANNED SOUPS making it a little more wholesome.
- Quick and Easy. It is quick and easy to make in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker, in which it will be ready in under 30 minutes.
- Easy Clean Up. It makes for fast and easy clean up since there is only one pot to wash.
- Use Leftover Chicken or Turkey. This is a great recipe to use leftovers. At Thanksgiving, it is a great way to use up leftover turkey.
What Ingredients Do I Need To Make This Recipe?
You will need ingredients that you probably already have in your refrigerator, freezer, or pantry, including chicken breasts, broccoli (fresh or frozen), white rice, onion, garlic, chicken broth, Worcestershire, milk, flour, salt and pepper, and ranch seasoning mix. See the recipe card at the bottom of this article for the detailed list of ingredients with the specified amounts. In addition, see the photograph below of the required ingredients for this recipe.
And, of course, you can’t forget the cheese! I like to use shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
How To Make Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Chicken And Rice Casserole
You will learn how easy it is to make this Broccoli Cheese Chicken And Rice Casserole In the Instant Pot. It takes about half the time as it does in the oven. Below are the step by step instructions, along with step by step photos of how to make Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Chicken And Rice Casserole. For more detailed instructions with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the article. In addition, view the video for more information.
- Sauté the Chicken, Onions, and Garlic. Using the sauté button on the Instant Pot, cook the chicken and onions together in a little oil for about 4 minutes before pressure cooking. Then add a tablespoon of minced garlic and cook for about a minute.
- Season The Chicken. Add the salt, pepper, and ranch seasoning mix to the chicken and stir.
- Add The Liquid. Add the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce.
- Add The Rice. Add the uncooked white rice and stir until it is covered by the broth.
- Pressure cook. Press cancel to stop the sauté function. Secure the lid. Move the pressure valve to the sealing position. Press the pressure cook button or manual cook button and adjust the time to pressure cook for 5 minutes. (It will take about 8 – 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure before the pressure cooking starts.)
- Make A Slurry. While the Chicken and Rice are cooking, stir together the milk and flour to make a slurry. Set aside until after the chicken and rice have finished pressure cooking.
- Quick Release. After the Instant Pot has finished the pressure cooking cycle, let it release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, and then, using a long-handled spoon move the pressure valve to the venting position, to do a quick release of pressure. Carefully, remove the lid.
- Add Slurry. Immediately pour the milk and flour slurry into the chicken and rice mixture and stir.
- Add Broccoli. Add the broccoli to the chicken and rice.
- Add Cheese. Add the shredded cheese to the Broccoli Cheese Chicken And Rice Casserole.
- Stir. Stir everything together until it is well combined and the broccoli and cheese have been evenly distributed throughout the chicken and rice mixture.
- When the Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Chicken And Rice Casserole is finished, it will look like a creamy cheesy broccoli cheese casserole like the photo below.
FAQs – Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Chicken And Rice Casserole
Chicken Breasts or Chicken Thighs?
- Either boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs can be used in this recipe. I recommend that whichever one they use that they be boneless and skinless.
Can I use Frozen Chicken?
- Yes, you can use frozen chicken. Skip the sauté step and use the same amount of time. It may take longer for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure. So just be patient.
Can I Skip The Saute Step?
- Yes, you can skip the sauté step, however, the result may not be quite as flavorful as if you had sautéed first.
Can I Use Brown Rice?
- Yes, you can use brown rice but will need to make a couple of adjustments. Add an additional 1/4 cup water for each cup of brown rice and increase the pressure cook time to 8 minutes.
Can I Add The Broccoli At the Beginning?
- The broccoli cooks much faster and may turn to mush if overcooked. To avoid overcooking the broccoli, it is added after the chicken and rice have been pressure-cooked. The heat from the chicken and rice mixture will heat the broccoli and melt the cheese.
Can I Freeze This Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Chicken And Rice Casserole?
- I don’t recommend freezing this casserole because the rice and the dairy don’t thaw well. Keep leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
What To Serve With Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Chicken And Rice Casserole?
- Green Salad
- Soup
- Crusty Bread
Other Casserole Recipes You May Enjoy
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta – A baked casserole with Chicken, bacon, pasta in a creamy cheesy ranch-flavored sauce.
- King Ranch Chicken Casserole – A vintage cheesy Tex-Mex Chicken Casserole with layers of tortillas and chicken!
Other Instant Pot Recipes You May Enjoy
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Instant Pot Broccoli Cheese Chicken And Rice Casserole
Ingredients
Add BEFORE Pressure Cooking
- 2 Tablespoons oil
- 1-1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast (See Note Below)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1-1/2 cups white rice (See Note Below)
- 2-1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire
Add AFTER Pressure Cooking
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- 1-1/2 cups frozen broccoli (See Note Below)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Press the Saute button on the Instant Pot. Wait until the front of the Instant Pot says "Hot," then add oil. When oil is hot, add the chicken breast cubes and chopped onion. Cook until the chicken is mostly white instead of pink and the onion is softened, about 3 - 4 minutes.
- Then add a tablespoon of minced garlic and cook for about a minute.
- Add the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce. Deglaze the pan by scraping the bottom of the pot with a spatula to remove any food particles to prevent them from scorching.
- Add the uncooked white rice, and salt, pepper, and ranch seasoning mix. Do not stir.
- Press cancel to stop the sauté function. Secure the lid. Move the pressure valve to the sealing position. Press the pressure cook button or manual cook button, select high pressure, and adjust the time to pressure cook for 5 minutes. (It will take about 8 - 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure before the pressure cooking starts.)
- While the Chicken and Rice are cooking, in a small bowl, stir together the milk and flour to make a slurry. Set aside until after the chicken and rice have finished pressure cooking.
- While the chicken and rice are cooking, run hot water over the frozen broccoli to thaw. Drain the broccoli.
- After the Instant Pot has finished the pressure cooking cycle, let it release pressure naturally for 10 minutes and then, using a long-handled spoon move the pressure valve to the venting position, to do a quick release of pressure. Wait for the pin to drop. Then carefully, remove the lid.
- Immediately pour the milk and flour slurry into the chicken and rice mixture and stir.
- Add the thawed broccoli to the chicken and rice.
- Add the shredded cheese to the Broccoli Cheese Chicken And Rice Casserole.
- Stir everything together until it is well combined and the broccoli and cheese have been evenly distributed throughout the chicken and rice mixture.
Video
Notes
- Use either chicken breasts or chicken thighs as long as they are boneless and skinless and cut into cubes.
- I recommend rinsing the rice before adding to the Instant Pot. I have experienced better results with the texture of the rice when I have done that.
- To use brown rice instead of white rice, increase time to 8 minutes and increase water by 1/4 cup for each 1 cup of brown rice.
- I used frozen broccoli. Before adding the broccoli to the casserole, rinse the broccoli in hot water to thaw.
- Don't add broccoli at the same time as the chicken it will overcook.
- Add broccoli only after the chicken and rice have finished cooking. The heat of the chicken and rice mixture will heat the broccoli and melt the cheese.
- To avoid getting the "Burn" message, be sure to deglaze the pot after browning the chicken and cooking the garlic by adding the liquid and scraping the bottom of the pot to remove any food particles that might scorch. Secondly, do not stir the rice and other ingredients. Add the ingredients in the order specified but do not stir. This will also help to prevent receiving the Burn notice.
Would this dish be ok to freeze?
You can freeze it but I don’t recommend it because the dairy does not thaw well.
Oh my gosh…SO GOOD! We ended up not having white rice as I thought, so my husband added orzo. It’s amazing. We will make with that again. Thank you so much. A new family favorite!
Hi Sarah,
I’m so glad you liked it. That is a great idea to add orzo. I’m happy to know that worked. Thanks so much for providing the feedback. Be sure to check out our other recipes as well.
Thanks,
Michele
Did you cook for the same amount of time when using the orzo?
Does increasing the chicken to rice ratio affect cooking times? I doubled the recipe but Next time I’d like to have less rice. It still tastes amazing but I’d like a higher protein ratio.
Did you double everything and just leave the time the same?
Is this for instant rice?
Hi Rachael,
No it is not for Instant Rice. It is for regular white rice. The rice cooks not only for the pressure cook time but for the whole time when it comes up to pressure and then the time when it releases pressure also.
Thanks,
Michele
Great meal but the rice didn’t seem to fully cook. Even with the crunchy broccoli we could tell the rice was still a bit crunchy too. Any thoughts on how to get the rice thoroughly cooked?
Hi Sarah,
The type of rice you use and the model of the Instant Pot can affect the cooking time. Brown rice will take longer. So if it was still crunchy, then pressure cook it a few minutes longer, maybe add 3 minutes. Next time if the rice is still crunchy, you can put the lid back on and add pressure cook a few more minutes.
Thanks,
Michele
THIS recipe is awesome! My roommate loved it ❤️ She’s my official tester and it’s a do over! I used boneless skinless chicken thighs and wouldn’t change anything but maybe a stronger cheese ❤️
Hi Deb, I’m so happy you and your roommate liked it! Be sure to check out our other recipes too!
I have some great fresh broccoli any ideas on how to handle it. Should I boil and blanch?
Hi Jennifer,
I would recommend boiling water on top of the stove and then blanching the broccoli for about 3 minutes to 5 minutes.
Michele
Are you able to use fresh broccoli?? Would it be the same instructions if it was fresh?
Hi Jamie,
I recommend boiling water on top of the stove and then blanching the broccoli for about 3 minutes to 5 minutes. This can be done while everything else is cooking in the Instant Pot.
Thanks,
Michele
Awesome! We added a half of a garlic herb packet instead of the ranch and it came out wonderful! Thank you for the great recipe!
Hi Janii,
I’m so glad you liked it. The garlic herb seasoning sounds delicious. Great idea. Thanks for the nice comment. Be sure to check out our other Instant Pot recipes too!
Thanks,
Michele
This was delicious! I used fresh, blanched brocolli. And I also had to pressure cook an extra 3 minutes due to rice still being crunchy. Also, i added some fresh parmesan on top and hot sauce of course! Will make again.
My husband and I both LOVED this dish! Definitely recommend & will be cooking this again 🙂 Thank you!
Hi Sam,
I’m so glad you liked the recipe. We love this one too. Thanks for the kind words.
Michele
Hi,
I have a jar of ranch seasoning rather than a packet. How much seasoning should I measure out of the jar ( as opposed to half a packet)
Thanks
Hi Debbie,
I would use 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning.
Thanks,
Michele
Can you use riced cauliflower instead of rice?