Creamy Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe is a fun and delicious way to make chicken recipes for kids at home, and you can make the chicken casserole with pre-made ingredients ahead of time.
Table of Contents
Creamy Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe:-
When it comes to making some really comforting weeknight dishes, try this Creamy Broccoli Chicken Casserole recipe which is so much fun and easy to make at home.
Nothing beats this Creamy Broccoli Chicken baked with succulent chicken, tender broccoli florets and a creamy cheese sauce.
It is an all in one casserole dish as it is a great combination of protein, veggies and flavour.
You can make this Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Casserole with very simple ingredients and the recipe is explained in very easy steps and you will surely love it as homemade cheesy broccoli casserole is full of delicious flavour.
All the ingredients required:-
The ingredients required to make Creamy Broccoli Chicken Casserole recipe at home are mentioned below. Collect these ingredients in advance so that no ingredient is left out while making it and you do not have to go here and there.
Ingredients:- To make the casserole base
- 2 cups chicken cooked or shredded
- 2 cups rice cooked, brown or white
- 3 cups broccoli florets or frozen
- 1 can cream of chicken soup, (10.5 ounces)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 milk (for thinning)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Pepper to taste
- Salt to taste
Ingredients: – Making the Crispy Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 cup breadcrumbs or Ritz crackers crushed
- Optional: – Cheese, used in topping, grated
Step by Step Method to Make Creamy Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe: –
Whenever you crave chicken, you can have this on your table in less than an hour, this homemade cheesy chicken bake is something you will love.
1. Preparation of Ingredients
Cooking the Chicken:- Firstly take two chicken breasts and boil or sear them till fully cooked then shred them or chop them into pieces. Or you can use rotisserie chicken, leftover grilled chicken.
Cooking the Rice:– You can use brown or white rice or even wild rice. If you have any leftover rice then that will work well for this recipe.
Cooking the Broccoli:- Steam the fresh broccoli for 4 to 5 minutes. If you are using frozen broccoli then thaw it first and drain out all the moisture.
Tips:- Never overcook broccoli as it cooks well in the oven.
2. Making the Creamy Cheese Sauce
Take a large mixing bowl and add all the ingredients mentioned in it.
Milk, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and salt.
Add all these ingredients in a bowl as per the mentioned quantity, then whisk well till smooth as this makes a creamy and very tasty base of the casserole.
3. Mixing the Casserole Ingredients
After making the sauce in the second step, now add these ingredients in the sauce bowl-
- 2 cups cooked rice,
- 2 cups cooked chicken,
- 3 cups boiled broccoli,
- 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese and
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese.
- Keep mixing all these ingredients till they are well coated in the sauce.
4. Making the casserole
Now, spray butter or cooking spray in a 9*13 inch baking dish to grease it. Then spread the chicken broccoli evenly in the dish. Then press it a little so that it looks nice and flat.
Optional:- If you like the cheese flavor a lot, then you can sprinkle grated cheese on it which will give you a nice and creamy taste.
5. Using the crunchy topping
Now, take another small bowl and mix the given ingredients in it:-
Add two tablespoons of melted butter and 1 cup of crushed Ritz crackers or breadcrumbs.
Now, after mixing these ingredients, sprinkle them evenly on the casserole so that the dish gets a nice topping and is prepared in a golden way.
6. Baking
Preheat the oven to 375° F (190° C). Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 30 to 32 minutes or until-
the cheese bubbles around the edges
the top is golden brown
heated completely.
7. Serve lightly chilled
If you are serving the casserole, let it cool for 8 to 10 minutes at room temperature so that it can be easily cut or scooped.
For a nice display or serving, you can use salad or garlic bread on the side and serve hot with it and this is a great chicken recipe for kids.
Variations and Adaptations: –
If you want to make some changes to this, you can easily make this casserole recipe in a simple and easy way –
The working version is to not use rice for the water, instead use cauliflower rice.
For a creamy soup – Do not use creamy chicken, you can use creamy mushroom, creamy celery or homemade béchamel which is delicious.
Use other vegetables – To get more nutrients or to darken the color, you can add peas, roasted mushrooms or bell peppers.
If you want to make it spicy – To increase the spiciness, add a pinch of red pepper or bell pepper. You can also use a little hot sauce for extra spiciness.
To make it gluten free, use gluten free soup. You can use crackers or gluten free breadcrumbs.
Storage Tips: –
To store leftovers, let them cool completely at room temperature and then transfer to an airtight container.
You can also refrigerate them for up to 4 to 5 days.
Refrigerating: –
For longer shelf life, wrap all of the unbaked items tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: –
Use the microwave and heat each batch individually for 2 to 3 minutes. OR reheat the entire dish in an oven at 350°F, covered in foil, for 20 to 22 minutes.
Why You Love Creamy Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe: –
This is a great recipe for kids because it uses familiar ingredients with a mild flavor and cheesy topping.
It can be made in one pan, which makes cleanup a breeze.
It is rich in nutrients which include protein, chicken, vitamins, broccoli and fiber.
Final Thoughts
This recipe covers all the important things and helps you to make Creamy Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe at home in very easy steps.
When you are looking for a cozy family dinner and preparing for a special meal, you can make this recipe.
Your family will love this Creamy Broccoli Chicken Bake as it is warm, satisfying and sticky yet customizable.
You can customize the chicken and even use leftover rice in this recipe which is a great addition to your meal.
So if you are planning to cook something this weekend and you don’t have anything in your fridge, grab some broccoli and chicken and start making this easy casserole bake which is also known as one pan comfort food.
