Description
Hearty chicken broccoli bake melds creamy cheese sauce with tender protein and green vegetables. Quick weeknight dinner delivers comfort and nutrition in each satisfying, golden-crusted serving.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken breasts or thighs, cooked and diced/shredded
- 4 cups (960 ml) broccoli florets, fresh or frozen, thawed, and drained
- 1.5 cups (340 g) shredded cheddar cheese, sharp cheddar or mix with mozzarella/monterey jack
- 1 can (10.5 oz/298 g) cream of chicken soup, or cream of mushroom/celery
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) mayonnaise or sour cream
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk
- 1/2 cup (60 g) breadcrumbs or panko (optional)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) melted butter (optional, for topping)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C), creating an ideal cooking environment for the casserole.
- Craft a creamy sauce by whisking together cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, milk, chopped onion, garlic powder, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-integrated.
- Layer the cooked chicken and broccoli florets evenly across a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, ensuring complete coverage.
- Generously drizzle the prepared sauce over the chicken and broccoli, spreading it uniformly to coat every ingredient.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese across the entire surface, creating a rich, melty top layer.
- Combine breadcrumbs with melted butter, creating a crisp, golden topping mixture.
- Scatter the buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the cheese, adding texture and crunch to the casserole.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese bubbles and breadcrumbs turn golden brown.
- Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven, helping the sauce set and flavors meld.
- Serve piping hot, offering a satisfying and comforting meal that combines creamy, cheesy, and crunchy elements.
Notes
- Swap sour cream or mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a healthier, protein-packed alternative that reduces calories and adds tangy flavor.
- Toast breadcrumbs beforehand in a skillet to enhance their crunchiness and prevent soggy topping during baking.
- Select chicken breasts that are similar in size to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Blanch broccoli briefly in boiling water before adding to the casserole to maintain vibrant green color and crisp texture while partially cooking the vegetable.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg