Description
Hearty chicken broccoli bake combines creamy cheese sauce with tender chicken and fresh broccoli florets. Comforting casserole delivers satisfying flavors you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cups shredded chicken
Vegetables:
- 4 cups broccoli florets
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Optional Topping:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Gently steam broccoli florets until they reach a vibrant green and tender consistency, approximately 5 minutes.
- Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and place in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Incorporate the steamed broccoli, sharp cheddar cheese, creamy mayonnaise, tangy sour cream, aged Parmesan cheese, rich cream of chicken soup, aromatic garlic powder, zesty onion powder, seasoning salt, and freshly ground black pepper into the bowl.
- Thoroughly blend all ingredients until evenly distributed and well-combined.
- Carefully transfer the creamy mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
- If desired, generously scatter breadcrumbs across the surface for an added crispy texture.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and bubbling edges.
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest for 3-5 minutes, helping the ingredients settle and cool slightly.
- Serve warm, scooping out hearty portions for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Add extra protein by incorporating cooked quinoa or diced ham into the chicken mixture for a more substantial meal.
- Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to reduce calories and boost protein content, creating a lighter version of the dish.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed almond flour to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Experiment with different cheese combinations like mozzarella or Swiss to customize the flavor profile and create unique taste variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg