Chicken Broccoli Casserole (Printable Version)

Creamy, cheesy baked dish with tender chicken and fresh broccoli florets, topped with golden buttered breadcrumbs.

# 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

→ Pantry Staples

07 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
08 - 1 cup cooked white rice, optional

→ Topping

09 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
10 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

→ Seasonings

11 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
14 - 1/4 tsp paprika

# Method:

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 thoroughly to remove excess moisture.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked chicken, blanched broccoli, chopped 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 the mixture evenly in the prepared 9x13-inch baking dish, pressing gently to create an even layer.
05 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and paprika. Mix until breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
06 - Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese evenly over the casserole mixture. Top with buttered breadcrumb mixture, spreading to cover the surface.
07 - Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling around the edges and the topping is golden brown.
08 - Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set.

# Chef's Tips:

01 -
  • Everything comes together in one dish, meaning less cleanup and more time on the couch
  • The leftovers somehow taste even better the next day, making lunch prep effortless
  • That golden crispy topping is absolutely irresistible and creates the perfect texture contrast
02 -
  • Do not skip the broccoli blanching step or it will turn out tough and watery in the finished casserole
  • The casserole is done when the edges are bubbling vigorously, not just when the top looks brown
03 -
  • Shred your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for better melting
  • Let the dish rest at least 5 minutes or it will be too loose to serve neatly

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