Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Chicken Casserole combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a creamy cheddar cheese sauce for a comforting and delicious meal. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for a family dinner any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced)
• 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup cooked corn kernels
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper (optional for spice)
• Fresh parsley or thyme, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until golden brown and fully cooked through, then remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Step 2: Lightly steam the broccoli florets for 3 to 4 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain well and spread evenly in the bottom of a large baking dish.
3. Step 3: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine heavy cream, sour cream, and softened cream cheese. Stir continuously until smooth and creamy. Add shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Sprinkle in onion powder and crushed red pepper if desired, mixing thoroughly.
4. Step 4: Layer the cooked chicken over the broccoli in the baking dish. Scatter the cooked corn kernels evenly on top, then pour the warm cheese sauce over everything, making sure to coat all layers.
5. Step 5: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the casserole uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the top is golden around the edges.
6. Step 6: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh parsley or thyme. Add a light dusting of paprika for color if desired. Serve hot and enjoy a rich, cheesy comfort meal.

Tips & Variations

• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and use reduced-fat cheese.
• Add mushrooms or bell peppers for extra vegetables and flavor.
• Use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time on cooking the chicken.
• If you prefer a spicier casserole, increase the crushed red pepper or add a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 15–20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions, stirring occasionally for even heating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen broccoli works well. Just thaw and drain any excess water before steaming and adding to the casserole to avoid sogginess.

Can this casserole be made ahead of time?

Absolutely. Assemble the casserole and refrigerate it uncovered for up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 74 reviews

• Author: lina
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This Chicken Casserole is a comforting, cheesy dish perfect for family dinners. Featuring tender seared chicken breasts combined with fresh broccoli, sweet corn, and a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, it’s baked to bubbly perfection and garnished with fresh herbs for added flavor and presentation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced)

Vegetables

• 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 1 cup cooked corn kernels
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy & Creams

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup cream cheese, softened

Fats & Oils

• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter

Spices & Seasonings

• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

Garnish

• Fresh parsley or thyme

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Instructions

1. Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken, seasoning it with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sear until golden brown and cooked through, then remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Steam the broccoli: Lightly steam the broccoli florets until tender-crisp, about 3–4 minutes. Drain well and spread evenly across the bottom of a large baking dish.
3. Prepare the cheese sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine heavy cream, sour cream, and softened cream cheese. Stir continuously until smooth and creamy. Add shredded cheddar cheese and stir until fully melted. Incorporate onion powder and crushed red pepper if using, mixing to blend the flavors.
4. Assemble the casserole: Arrange the cooked chicken over the broccoli in the baking dish. Scatter the cooked corn evenly on top. Pour the warm cheese sauce over all layers, making sure everything is well coated.
5. Bake to perfection: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the casserole uncovered in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and the edges are golden brown.
6. Garnish and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle fresh parsley or thyme over the top. Optionally, dust with extra paprika for a pop of color. Serve hot and enjoy a rich and comforting cheesy chicken meal.

Notes

• For extra spice, increase the crushed red pepper according to your heat preference.
• To make this dish lower in fat, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lighter cream alternative.
• You can replace broccoli with other vegetables like cauliflower or green beans if preferred.
• Ensure chicken is cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
• This casserole can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated, then baked fresh before serving.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chicken casserole, cheesy chicken bake, broccoli casserole, comfort food, baked chicken dish