Introduction

This Chicken Broccoli Casserole is a creamy and comforting dish perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Tender chicken, tender-crisp broccoli, and a cheesy, savory sauce come together in an easy-to-make casserole that everyone will love.

Creamy Chicken Broccoli Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli florets
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers
2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Stir in the frozen broccoli and cook until it is slightly tender-crisp, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Step 4: In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, mayonnaise, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Add the cooked chicken and broccoli mixture, gently stirring to combine everything evenly.
Step 5: Pour the chicken and broccoli mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the top.
Step 6: In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
Step 7: Bake the casserole for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it is bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, try adding a teaspoon of garlic powder or smoked paprika to the creamy sauce.
Substitute the cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup for a slightly different taste.
Use fresh broccoli instead of frozen; just steam it briefly before mixing.
For a lower-fat option, substitute sour cream and mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.

Storage

Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave or heat the entire casserole in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through, about 15 to 20 minutes.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other vegetables instead of broccoli?

Yes, you can substitute broccoli with cauliflower, green beans, or a mix of your favorite vegetables. Just adjust the cooking times so they stay tender but not mushy.

Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.

Creamy Chicken Broccoli Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 53 reviews

This Chicken Broccoli Casserole is a creamy and comforting dish perfect for family dinners. Tender chicken and broccoli are combined in a luscious mushroom cream sauce, topped with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, and finished with a crunchy buttery cracker topping. Baked to golden perfection, this casserole is both hearty and satisfying.

Author: zara
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Vegetables

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli florets

Creamy Sauce

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cheese and Topping

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers
2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion until softened, approximately 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the frozen broccoli florets and cook until they are slightly tender but still crisp, around 3-5 minutes.
Prepare Creamy Sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, sour cream, mayonnaise, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Add the cooked chicken and broccoli mixture to this sauce and gently stir to combine everything evenly.
Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and pour in the chicken and broccoli mixture. Evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the top.
Make Cracker Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheese layer to add a crunchy topping.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cracker topping is golden brown. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the creamy sauce.
Fresh broccoli can be used instead of frozen; just steam it lightly before adding to the skillet.
The Ritz cracker topping adds great crunch; for a gluten-free version, substitute with gluten-free crackers or crushed nuts.
Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
To make this meal lower in fat, consider using light sour cream and reduced-fat cheeses.

Keywords: Chicken Broccoli Casserole, creamy chicken casserole, baked chicken casserole, broccoli casserole recipe, comfort food, easy dinner