Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice

FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content.

Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice combines savory Italian-seasoned chicken sausage with roasted broccoli and onions, tender rice, and lots of melty Cheddar cheese! This entire dish uses minimal ingredients, cooks on ONE sheet pan, and is sure to be a household hit!

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword Sheet Pan Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, & Rice

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings servings

Calories 541kcal

Equipment

15×21-inch sheet pan or 2 smaller sheet pans

Ingredients

5-1/2 cups (335g) chopped broccoli (~1 lb.; 6 ounces or 2 very large heads)
1 large yellow onion, very thinly sliced
1 package (12 oz.; 340g) smoked Italian chicken sausage Note 1
2 packages Ready Rice/Microwaveable Packaged Rice, 8.8 oz each (or 2 cups cooked white rice)
1/4 cup (59g) extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder
1 cup (3 oz.; 85g) cheddar cheese, extra-sharp (or sharp)
Optional: fresh parsley, fine sea salt and pepper

Instructions

PREP: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Set out a very large (I use a 15×21-inch sheet pan) or 2 smaller sheet pans. Cut the broccoli into small florets (bite-sized), thinly slice the onion, and coin the chicken sausage thinly. Combine the seasonings: 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder. Add salt and pepper to taste. (I add 1/2 teaspoon of each; I use fine sea salt here, so if you are using table salt you'll want a lot less.) Stir the seasonings together and then remove 2 teaspoons of the seasoning and set aside.
ROAST: On the large sheet pan, add the broccoli, onion, and chicken sausage. Drizzle on 1/4 cup olive oil and add all the seasonings except the 2 teaspoons you set aside. With your hands, toss to generously coat everything and then spread in an even layer, leaving plenty of space for the veggies to roast. (If they're overlapping they will steam instead of roast and take a lot longer to cook.) Add the tray to the fully heated oven and roast for 13-15 minutes.
ROAST RICE: Meanwhile, without opening the 2 rice packets, knead and break up the rice with your hands to remove any clumps. No need to microwave or prepare the rice in any other way! Alternatively, use add 2 cups cooked rice. Remove sheet pan from the oven and add the rice and reserved 2 teaspoons seasoning mix right on top. Toss everything together with a large turner/spatula, spread in 1 even layer, and return to the oven for 2 minutes. Meanwhile, grate the cheese.
ADD CHEESE: Remove from oven, toss everything once more and taste for any additional seasoning, adding extra salt/pepper if desired. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over everything. Return to the oven for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.
ENJOY: Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and use a large spatula to serve from the sheet pan to plates (or go at it right off the sheet pan -- no judgment here! :)

Video

Notes

Note 1: Any smoked sausage works here, and we like smoked chicken sausage best (Aidell's Italian Style with Mozzarella is our fave; not sponsored); it keeps things nice and healthy, plus tastes great -- the flavors pair well with all the other ingredients in this recipe. Turkey sausage is another favorite in this recipe!

Nutrition