Description
This Chicken Broccoli Bake is a comforting and hearty casserole featuring tender chicken, steamed broccoli, and a creamy cheese sauce topped with a crunchy cracker crust. It’s a satisfying one-dish meal perfect for family dinners, combining simple ingredients for a rich and flavorful baked casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
Cheese and Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
Sauce
- 1 can cream of chicken soup (about 10.5 oz)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Cook the chicken breasts thoroughly (boiled, baked, or pan-cooked), then chop them into bite-sized pieces for easy layering in the casserole.
- Steam the Broccoli: Steam the fresh broccoli florets until they are tender but still crisp to maintain texture in the bake.
- Preheat and Prepare the Baking Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Make the Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the can of cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk until smooth.
- Season the Sauce: Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the sauce mixture and stir well to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Assemble the Bake: Layer the steamed broccoli and chopped chicken evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the Sauce: Evenly pour the creamy sauce mixture over the broccoli and chicken layers.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Add Crunchy Topping: Evenly sprinkle the crushed Ritz crackers over the cheese layer for a crispy topping.
- Bake the Dish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly and heated through.
Notes
- Cooking the chicken ahead of time makes assembly easier.
- Use fresh broccoli for best texture, but frozen can be substituted if thoroughly drained.
- For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cheese and sour cream.
- Crushed crackers can be substituted with breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes for different textures.
- Let the bake rest for 5 minutes after removing from oven for easier serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
