This delicious and healthy Dairy-Free Chicken & Rice Casserole is the perfect main dish for busy weeknights. Prep it ahead of time and then bake it when you’re ready to eat. Gluten-free and so satisfying.

chicken broccoli and rice casserole in a white baking dish with a green napkin

Recipe Highlights

  • This casserole makes six servings. It’s perfect for a family, or for meal prepping for two people.
  • You can make this Dairy-Free Chicken Casserole up to 3 days in advance. Then, just cook it when you’re ready to eat.
  • This chicken and rice recipe is entirely dairy-free and gluten-free! Coconut milk adds creaminess and a luscious flavor.

Recipe Steps

Step One

Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Step Two

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 3 minutes.

Step Three

Add the coconut milk, broth, lemon juice, thyme, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Let the mixture come to a simmer and then turn off the heat.

ingredients for chicken broccoli rice casserole including lemons, broccoli, and rice

Step Four

Transfer the onion and broth mixture then add the broccoli, rice, and chicken and stir to combine.

Step Five

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Step Six

Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving.

broccoli florets and chicken pieces in a casserole dish ready to be baked

It’s just so easy and I promise everyone is going to love this dish.

FAQs

Is this dairy-free casserole recipe healthy?

I think it is. The casserole has a nice balance of protein and carbs, plus fat from the coconut that makes it satisfying. White rice is also easier to digest than brown rice, so it is considered paleo-friendly by many experts.
And, of course, broccoli is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. Broccoli is rich is sulforaphane which has been proven to help fight cancer.

Can this casserole be meal prepped?

Yes, it can! Prep this casserole up to 3 days in advance. Cover it with plastic wrap or a lid and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken cutlets?

Yes, you can substitute the same amount of thighs for the cutlets in this recipe.

woman serving the casserole using a spatula

Other Healthy Chicken Recipes You Might Like

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

Print

Dairy-Free Chicken & Rice Casserole

chicken broccoli rice casserole

★★★★★

5 from 13 reviews

This delicious and healthy Dairy-Free Chicken & Rice Casserole is the perfect main dish for busy weeknights. Prep it ahead of time and then bake it when you’re ready to eat. Gluten-free and so satisfying.

  • Author: Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 65 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Main dish
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: Healthy
  • Diet: Gluten Free
Scale

Ingredients

  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 ¾ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • ¾ cup uncooked long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken cutlets, cut into 1-inch chunks

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. 
  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 3 minutes. Add the coconut milk, broth, lemon juice, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture come to a simmer before turning off the heat. 
  3. Transfer the onion and broth mixture to the casserole dish. Add the broccoli, rice, and chicken and stir to combine.
  4. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
  5. Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

You can prep this casserole up to 3 days in advance of baking it. Cover it with plastic wrap or a lid and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it.

Keywords: broccoli casserole, healthy chicken casserole, chicken and rice recipe

Don’t forget to join the Clean Eating Kitchen newsletter. You’ll get my Clean Eating Quick Start Guide, plus links to all the latest recipes.