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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.

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

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/creamy-chicken-broccoli-casserole-recipe/