Creamy Chicken Broccoli Bake (Printable)

Tender chicken and fresh broccoli in a creamy cheese sauce, topped with buttery crumbs and baked until golden.

# What you'll need:

→ Proteins

01 - 3 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded

→ Vegetables

02 - 4 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen and thawed
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

→ Dairy

04 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
05 - 1 cup sour cream
06 - 1/2 cup milk
07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

→ Pantry

08 - 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
09 - 1 cup cooked white rice, optional

→ Breads and Crumbs

10 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

→ Seasonings

11 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
14 - 1/4 tsp paprika

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Steam or blanch broccoli florets for 2 to 3 minutes until just tender but still bright green. Drain thoroughly to remove excess moisture.
03 - In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, broccoli, onion, 1 cup cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, cooked rice (if using), garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly distributed.
04 - Spread mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula.
05 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and paprika. Mix until breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
06 - Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the casserole, then evenly distribute the buttered breadcrumb mixture on top.
07 - Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes until bubbly around edges and golden brown on top.
08 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set for easier scooping.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Its the kind of comfort food that makes everyone actually sit still at the table
  • You can assemble it ahead and bake when youre ready which saved me more times than I can count
02 -
  • Drain the broccoli really well after blanching or youll end up with watery sauce
  • The topping can burn quickly so check at 25 minutes if your oven runs hot
03 -
  • Let the chicken and rice cool before mixing so they dont cook the sour cream
  • Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre packaged for better melting

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