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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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