Chicken Broccoli Casserole (Printable version)
Creamy, cheesy baked chicken and broccoli perfect for family dinners.
# What you'll need:
→ Proteins
01 - 3 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
→ Vegetables
02 - 4 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen and thawed
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 and Crisps
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
# Directions:
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 just tender but still bright green. Drain well to remove excess moisture.
03 - In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, broccoli, onion, 1 cup cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, cooked rice (if using), garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly distributed.
04 - Spread mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish, pressing lightly to create an even layer.
05 - In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and paprika until evenly coated.
06 - Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the casserole, then top with the buttered breadcrumb mixture.
07 - Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown on top.
08 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This casserole hits all the right comfort notes with tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and the most irresistible golden cheesy crust
- It comes together in under an hour and feeds a crowd, making it perfect for busy weeknights or Sunday family gatherings
02 -
- Overcooking the broccoli in step 2 is the biggest mistake so watch closely and pull them while still bright green
- Letting the casserole rest for those 5 minutes seems unnecessary but makes the difference between a sloppy mess and clean squares
03 -
- Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded for the smoothest melting
- Sauté the onion for a few minutes before adding if you want a deeper, sweeter flavor