Looking for a comforting, family-friendly dinner that’s both nutritious and delicious? This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Bake is exactly what you need. I’ve perfected this recipe to create the perfect balance of protein, vegetables, and creamy cheese sauce that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. It’s one of those reliable dishes that works just as well for a cozy weeknight dinner as it does for entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked chicken, diced (about 3 medium breasts)
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup cooked rice (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup crispy fried onions for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Steam broccoli florets until just tender – about 3-4 minutes. They should still have some bite as they’ll continue cooking in the oven.
- In a large bowl, mix cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until well combined.
- Fold in the cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, and 1½ cups of the cheddar cheese. If using rice, add it now.
- Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Top with remaining cheddar cheese and mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil, add crispy fried onions, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Cook Time and Serving Size
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6-8 portions
Recipe Notes
- For best results, don’t use pre-shredded cheese. Freshly grated cheese melts much better and creates a creamier sauce.
- Make sure to drain the broccoli well after steaming to prevent a watery casserole.
- You can use rotisserie chicken to save time – just remove the skin and dice the meat.
- This casserole can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. Add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
- For a crunchier top, broil for the final 2-3 minutes, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the microwave or oven.
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Bake
A comforting, family-friendly dinner that's both nutritious and delicious. Perfect balance of protein, vegetables, and creamy cheese sauce.
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked chicken diced (about 3 medium breasts)
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup cooked rice optional
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup crispy fried onions for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Steam broccoli florets until just tender - about 3-4 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until well combined.
- Fold in the cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, and 1½ cups of the cheddar cheese. If using rice, add it now.
- Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Top with remaining cheddar cheese and mozzarella.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil, add crispy fried onions, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.
