Smoked Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Discover how to make Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole with grilled chicken and smoked flavors for a unique twist on comfort food.

Why This Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole Recipe is different

What makes this version of cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole unique is that the chicken and broccoli are grilled. Then, the full casserole is smoked.

This adds so many layers of flavor because the broccoli and chicken get a nice caramelized char and the cheesy casserole gets a kiss of smoke.

Even with those extra steps, this comfort food is still super easy and great for busy weeknights or a party. Best part, you can prepare it in advance and smoke it when you’re ready.

Get Recipe Ingredients

• Heat Grill: Heat your grill to high heat (400-450F) with a direct heat zone.

• Season Chicken: Rub the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a generous pinch of salt and pepper.

• Prep Broccoli: Cut the head of broccoli into florets. Toss the florets with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a generous pinch of salt and pepper.

• Grill: Place the chicken and broccoli on the grill over high direct heat. Cook for 10-15 minutes flipping occasionally. The chicken should be around 140F degrees.

• Mix: While the chicken and broccoli are grilling, mix the cooked rice, cans of soup and 1 cup cheddar cheese in a large bowl.

• Make Topping: In a small bowl, combine crushed crackers and butter. Stir in the remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese.

• Chop: Remove the chicken and broccoli from the grill and chop into bite-size pieces. Mix into the cheesy rice mixture. Pour into a 13 x 9 casserole dish. Sprinkle the cracker mixture on top.

• Adjust Grill: Reduce your grill to 350F degrees and create an indirect heat zone. (See post for more details)

• Smoke: Place the casserole on the grill over indirect heat. Cook uncovered for 30-45 minutes, until the cheese melts and is golden brown. Serve.  

Calories: 265kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 19gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 1047mgPotassium: 606mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 782IUVitamin C: 68mgCalcium: 180mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Be sure to rate it, leave a comment and save it so you can make it again. Show off your awesome results on social by tagging @girlscangrill

Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless breasts.
• Broccoli: Get a whole head of fresh broccoli, not frozen broccoli florets. Frozen broccoli won’t grill as well
• Cooked White Rice: You can also use instant rice, long-grain rice, short-grain rice or brown rice. Cook it so it’s al dente. It will finish cooking on the smoker.
• Broccoli Cheese Soup: I use Campbell’s brand.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: Look for the low-sodium version if you’re watching your salt intake.
• Cheddar Cheese: This will be used in the casserole and in the cracker topping.
• Ritz Crackers: This is the secret to the addictive crunchy topping.
• Butter
• Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper

Substitutions: For a lighter version, leave out the chicken. If you don't have Ritz crackers, use panko bread crumbs. 

See the full recipe card above for servings and a full list of ingredients.

How to cook chicken broccoli casserole

This recipe cooks in two stages.

First, heat the grill to high heat (400-450F degrees) with a direct heat zone. For a gas grill, you’ll cook straight over the burners that are turned on. With charcoal, cook over the lit coals. On a pellet grill or Ninja Grill, just adjust the temp to 400F or high.

For the baking stage, you’ll cook the casserole at 350F degrees over indirect heat.

For gas grill, reduce the temperature and move the casserole over the area where the burners are turned off. With a charcoal grill, push the coals to one side and bake over the area with no coals. On a pellet grill, reduce the temperature to 350F. For Ninja Grill, use the smoker setting and set the temp.

1. STEP ONE: Rub the chicken breasts and broccoli with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

2. STEP TWO: Place the chicken and broccoli on the grill over direct heat. Cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping occasionally. The chicken should be around 140F degrees.

PRO TIP: For nice and tender chicken, make sure not to overcook it. It will finish cooking during the smoking stage.

3. STEP THREE: While the chicken and broccoli are grilling, mix the cooked rice, cans of soup and 1 cup cheddar cheese in a large bowl.
4. STEP FOUR: In a small bowl, combine crushed crackers and butter. Stir in the remaining 1 cup cheddar cheese.

5. STEP FIVE: Remove the chicken and broccoli from the grill and chop into bite-size pieces. Stir into the creamy cheese sauce mixture. Pour into a 13 x 9 casserole dish. Sprinkle the cracker mixture on top of the casserole.

6. STEP SIX: Reduce the grill temperature to 350F degrees and set up an indirect heat zone.

7. STEP SEVEN: Place the casserole on the smoker and cook over indirect heat uncovered for 30-45 minutes. You’re looking for the cheese to melt and become golden brown.

PRO TIP: To make this recipe in advance, prepare it to step four and refrigerate for 1-2 days. The day you want to serve it, add the cracker topping and smoke it. If you cook it from straight from the refrigerator, add 10-15 minutes of cook time to ensure it's warmed through and the chicken is fully cooked to 165F degrees. 

How to serve chicken broccoli casserole

Place the pan on a buffet table or straight on the table and serve as a main course or side dish.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.