The Best Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Crafting a delightful broccoli chicken casserole brings comfort right to your dinner table.

Layers of tender chicken and vibrant green florets create a hearty meal packed with nutrition.

Creamy sauces blend seamlessly with crisp vegetable textures, promising a satisfying experience.

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet delicious solutions that everyone will appreciate.

Busy households need quick recipes that deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Cheese melts perfectly over wholesome ingredients, creating a magical combination that sparks excitement.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for future kitchen adventures.

Broccoli Chicken Casserole Essentials

• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Transforms classic baked potatoes into a decadent, crowd-favorite dish that satisfies everyone's comfort food cravings.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like cheese types, add crispy bacon, or include different herbs to personalize the recipe according to family preferences.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare potato shells in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing for quick assembly and baking when ready to serve.
• Versatile Meal Option: Perfect as a hearty side dish for family dinners, potlucks, or as a standalone meal with added protein like bacon or shredded chicken.

Ingredients Needed for Broccoli Chicken Casserole

• Chicken: A tender and flavorful base protein that provides substance and nutrition to the casserole.

• Broccoli: A nutritious green vegetable that adds color, texture, and health benefits to the dish.

• Rice: A soft, filling grain that helps create a hearty texture in the casserole.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: A creamy sauce that binds the ingredients together and adds rich flavor.
• Sour Cream: Provides tanginess and helps create a smooth, creamy consistency.

• Cheddar Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Cheeses that contribute depth of flavor and create a golden, melted topping.

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Pepper: Spices that enhance the overall taste and bring out the savory notes of the dish.

• Breadcrumbs, Crushed Crackers: Ingredients that add a crispy texture and golden brown finish to the casserole.

How to Make Broccoli Chicken Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C). Grab your 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a light grease to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Create the Flavor Explosion

• Tender cooked chicken
• Vibrant steamed broccoli
• Fluffy rice (optional but recommended)
• Creamy cream of chicken soup
• Smooth sour cream
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Nutty Parmesan cheese
• Zesty garlic powder
• Sweet onion powder
• A pinch of salt
• A dash of pepper

Stir everything together until it’s beautifully blended and looks absolutely mouthwatering.

Step 3: Spread the Love

Pour your spectacular mixture into the prepared baking dish, making sure it’s spread out evenly like a delicious blanket.

Step 4: Add the Crispy Topping

Sprinkle an extra layer of shredded cheddar cheese on top. For bonus crunch, scatter some breadcrumbs or crushed crackers over the cheese.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and let it bake for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges are bubbling and the cheese turns a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Pull the casserole out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. This helps the flavors settle and makes serving easier.

Dish up and enjoy your comforting masterpiece!

Tips for Broccoli Chicken Casserole Success

• Swap chicken with tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian version that keeps protein levels high.
• Opt for low-fat cream of chicken soup and reduced-fat cheeses to create a lighter, healthier casserole.
• Enhance flavor by adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the mixture before baking.
• Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed rice crackers to make the dish celiac-friendly.
• Prepare components ahead of time and assemble quickly for a convenient weeknight meal that saves precious cooking time.

Flavor Variants for Broccoli Chicken Casserole

• Mediterranean Broccoli Chicken Bake: Replace cream of chicken soup with Greek yogurt, add sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and feta cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Southwest Spicy Chicken Casserole: Incorporate black beans, corn, diced green chiles, and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese. Sprinkle with taco seasoning for extra kick.
• Vegetarian Broccoli Quinoa Casserole: Substitute chicken with roasted cauliflower or chickpeas, use quinoa instead of rice, and add nutritional yeast for cheesy depth.
• Mushroom Alfredo Chicken Casserole: Mix in sautéed mushrooms, replace cream of chicken soup with alfredo sauce, and top with Italian herb breadcrumbs for a creamy, rich variation.

Serving Ideas for Broccoli Chicken Casserole

• Cozy Weeknight Dinner Delight: Serve this broccoli chicken casserole with a crisp green salad topped with tangy vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy dish.
• Family-Style Comfort Plate: Create a complete meal by pairing the casserole with roasted seasonal vegetables like carrots or Brussels sprouts for added nutrition and color.
• Potluck Party Favorite: Transform leftovers into individual mini-casseroles in ramekins, perfect for sharing at gatherings or quick lunch portions with minimal cleanup.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Offer as a hearty side dish alongside grilled meats or as a standalone main course with warm crusty bread for soaking up the delicious cheesy sauce.

Storage Advice for Broccoli Chicken Casserole

• Store the broccoli chicken casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or a lid to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
• Wrap the cooled casserole securely in plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil. Place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Thaw frozen casserole overnight in the refrigerator. Warm in the oven at 350F (175C) for 20-25 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning. Alternatively, reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. Just thaw and drain it completely before adding to the casserole to prevent excess moisture.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not automatically. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free cream of chicken soup and replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free crackers or alternative topping.

• How can I make this dish healthier?

Use low-fat cream of chicken soup, reduced-fat cheese, Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and add more vegetables like cauliflower or spinach to increase nutritional value.

Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Broccoli Chicken Casserole delivers comfort and satisfaction in one wholesome dish. Creamy sauce, tender chicken, and crisp broccoli combine for a delightful meal you’ll savor with each comforting bite.

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Ingredients

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• 3 cups broccoli florets, steamed
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can (10.5 oz/298 g) condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine diced cooked chicken, tender steamed broccoli florets, fluffy rice, creamy condensed chicken soup, tangy sour cream, sharp cheddar cheese, aged Parmesan, aromatic garlic powder, zesty onion powder, and seasoning.
3. Transfer the blended mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even, smooth distribution across the surface.
4. Generously sprinkle additional shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole and scatter breadcrumbs or crushed buttery crackers for a crispy, golden topping.
5. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges bubble enthusiastically and the cheese transforms into a molten, bronzed layer.
6. Carefully remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes, enabling the ingredients to settle and flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

• Swap white rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lower-carb, nutrient-dense alternative that adds extra protein and keeps the dish lighter.
• Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce fat content while maintaining creamy texture and boosting protein levels for health-conscious eaters.
• Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free cream of chicken soup and replacing breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour topping.
• Customize the protein by substituting chicken with turkey, tofu, or plant-based chicken alternatives to accommodate different dietary preferences and restrictions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 315 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 620 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 29 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg