Chicken Broccoli Casserole (Printable Version)
Creamy, cheesy baked chicken and broccoli comfort food
# What You Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 3 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
→ Vegetables
02 - 4 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
→ Dairy
04 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
05 - 1 cup sour cream
06 - 1/2 cup milk
07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
→ Pantry
08 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
09 - 1 cup cooked white rice, optional
→ Breads/Crumbs
10 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
→ Seasonings
11 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
14 - 1/4 tsp paprika
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Steam or blanch broccoli florets for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp and bright green. Drain thoroughly to remove excess moisture.
03 - In a large bowl, mix cooked chicken, broccoli, onion, 1 cup cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, cooked rice (if using), garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.
04 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer.
05 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and paprika, mixing until crumbs are evenly coated.
06 - Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the casserole, then evenly distribute the buttered breadcrumb mixture on top.
07 - Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until sauce is bubbly and topping is golden brown.
08 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to set.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything comes together in one dish with minimal prep work
- The creamy cheesy sauce makes even broccoli skeptics ask for seconds
- Leftovers taste even better the next day for lunch
02 -
- Overcooking the broccoli now will make it mushy after baking so keep it quick
- Thaw frozen broccoli completely and squeeze out extra water or your casserole will be watery
- The sauce thickens as it rests so dont panic if it looks a little loose coming out of the oven
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for better melting
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly so set everything out first