Description
Comfort meets convenience in this delightful Broccoli Chicken Casserole, blending tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and creamy cheese into a hearty one-dish meal. Perfectly balanced and family-friendly, you’ll savor each cheesy, nutritious bite of this classic comfort classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded or cubed cooked chicken
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Sauce and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 cup cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Add-ins:
- 1 cup cooked rice or pasta
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 375F (190C) and coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Gently steam broccoli florets until they reach a tender consistency while maintaining a vibrant green color, then set aside.
- Create a creamy base by whisking together cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until achieving a smooth texture.
- Incorporate cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, and pre-cooked rice or pasta into the creamy mixture, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Carefully transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the entire surface of the casserole.
- For added textural contrast, optionally dust the top with breadcrumbs to create a crispy layer.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the dish becomes bubbly and the cheese melts completely.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes before serving, which helps the dish set and makes portioning easier.
Notes
- Steam broccoli briefly to maintain its vibrant green color and crisp texture, preventing soggy vegetables in the final dish.
- Swap cream of chicken soup with Greek yogurt or a homemade white sauce for a healthier, lower-sodium alternative that still provides creamy richness.
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken to save time and add extra flavor depth to the casserole.
- Replace breadcrumbs with crushed nuts like almonds or pecans for a gluten-free topping that adds nutritional value and a delightful crunch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg