Chicken Broccoli Casserole Recipe
Adam refused to eat broccoli for most of 2022. He would pick each piece out of fried rice, one by one, with the focus of a child who has decided something is his enemy. I tried roasting it. Alfi thought the "tiny trees" nickname was hilarious. Adam was not impressed. Then we stopped in Melbourne on the way back from my sister's, and my cousin put this casserole on the table. Adam had two servings. He asked what the green things were. I said broccoli. He said "it tastes different in Australia." It does not taste different in Australia. He just could not see it under the cheese.
Ingredients
Check off as you go
- For the chicken:
- 600g (1.3 lb) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cajun seasoning
- Salt and black pepper
- For the casserole:
- 400g (14 oz) broccoli florets, fresh or frozen (if frozen, fully thawed and dried)
- 2 cans (284ml each) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup mozzarella, grated
- For the topping:
- 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- 2
Season the chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sear in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through and golden, 6 to 8 minutes. If the pan gets dry, add a splash of broth and scrape up the bits. That is flavor.
- 3
If using fresh broccoli, blanch in boiling water for exactly 3 minutes, then drain and dry. If using frozen, thaw it fully first. Not partially. Completely. Frozen pockets create uneven bake times and you will end up with cold spots in a hot dish.
- 4
Mix the condensed soup, sour cream, chicken broth, red bell pepper, 1 cup of the cheddar, and black pepper in a bowl.
- 5
Layer in order: spread chicken evenly across the bottom. Add broccoli on top of the chicken. Pour the sauce over everything and spread to the edges. Do not stir.
- 6
Scatter the remaining cheddar over the top. Add the mozzarella on top of that for the cheese pull.
- 7
Mix crushed crackers with melted butter and scatter evenly over the cheese.
- 8
Bake 35 to 40 minutes until bubbling at the edges and golden on top. Broil on low for the last 2 minutes if you want a deeper crust. Watch it closely.
- 9
Rest 15 minutes before serving. It sets up and serves cleanly. I have skipped this step twice. Both times I regretted it.
Tips for Success
- ✓Season the chicken first. Every recipe that skips this step produces a flat-tasting casserole. Seasoning the chicken separately gives each piece its own flavor before it meets the sauce.
- ✓Dry the broccoli properly. Extra water from thawed frozen or blanched fresh broccoli will thin the sauce.
- ✓Do not skip the rest. 15 minutes after it comes out. I know it smells ready. Wait.
- ✓For a from-scratch version without canned soup: heat 1 cup heavy cream on very low heat, add 1 cup sharp cheddar and 1 cup colby jack, and stir slowly until melted. Low heat only or the sauce will break.
- ✓Want more servings? Double everything into a 9x13 pan. Bake time stays roughly the same.
Nutrition (per serving)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 4 core ingredients in chicken broccoli casserole?
Chicken, broccoli, condensed cream of chicken soup (or homemade cheese sauce), and cheddar. Everything else improves it but is not the base.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Assemble without the cracker topping, refrigerate up to 24 hours, add crackers before baking. It also freezes well for up to 3 months without the topping. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
How long does it bake, and at what temperature?
375°F (190°C) for 35 to 40 minutes. Broil on low for 1 to 2 minutes at the end for a golden crust. Add 10 to 15 minutes if baking cold from the fridge.
Why does frozen broccoli need to be completely thawed?
Partially frozen broccoli causes uneven baking. Some pieces overcook while others stay cold. Full thaw plus pressing out the moisture with a kitchen towel prevents both problems.
What do you serve with chicken broccoli casserole?
A green salad, crusty bread, or steamed rice. It is a full meal on its own, so sides just need contrast.
