Description
A comforting and creamy Chicken Broccoli Bake combining tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a cheesy, savory sauce topped with a crispy cracker crust. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, this hearty casserole makes an easy and delicious family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Topping
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Steam Broccoli: Steam the broccoli florets until they are bright green and tender-crisp. This ensures they retain their color and texture inside the casserole.
- Make Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended to create a creamy sauce.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked and chopped chicken along with the steamed broccoli to the sauce mixture. Stir gently to evenly coat all pieces.
- Assemble: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly for uniform cooking.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top, then cover with the crushed Ritz crackers to provide a crispy, golden crust after baking.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
- Rest & Serve: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- For a healthier version, use low-fat sour cream and reduced-fat cheese.
- Chicken can be grilled or roasted instead of boiled for enhanced flavor.
- Fresh broccoli is preferred, but frozen broccoli can be used if steamed properly.
- To add extra flavor, consider mixing in chopped onions or mushrooms.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
