Chicken & Broccoli Casserole

This comforting chicken and broccoli casserole is the kind of dinner that makes everyone at the table happy! Families love how it brings together tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and cheesy goodness in one satisfying dish. Plus, it’s packed with protein and calcium to keep everyone healthy and strong.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Prep Time: 20 minutes, Additional Time: 10 minutes, Total Time: 30 minutes, Serves: 8 people, Yield: 8 cups.

Nutrition Profile: High-Calcium, Bone Health, Nut-Free, Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Aging, Healthy Immunity, Soy-Free, High-Protein, Egg-Free, Low-Calorie.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 584 Calories, 24g Fat, 45g Carbs, 40g Protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Neutral oil: You’ll need 1 tablespoon of canola or avocado oil. These oils work great because they don’t add any strong flavors to your casserole.

Chicken breasts: Get 1½ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts and cut them into bite-size pieces. This makes every bite perfect for scooping up with a fork!

Onion: One small onion finely chopped adds so much flavor to the base of this dish. Yellow or white onions both work wonderfully here.

All-purpose flour: You’ll need ⅓ cup to help thicken the creamy sauce. This creates that perfect, cozy texture we all love in casseroles.

Reduced-fat milk: 4 cups of reduced-fat milk makes the sauce rich and creamy without being too heavy. Whole milk works too if that’s what you have!

Broccoli florets: 3 cups of fresh broccoli florets give you that perfect green veggie boost. Frozen broccoli works great too if you’re in a pinch.

Water: Just 2 tablespoons for steaming the broccoli in the microwave. Simple but so important for tender broccoli!

Precooked brown rice: Two 9-ounce packages save you so much time and add hearty whole grains to your meal.

Reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese: 1½ cups shredded brings all that melty, cheesy goodness we crave. Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor!

Dry mustard: 1 teaspoon adds a subtle tangy kick that makes all the flavors pop. You’ll be surprised how much this little ingredient does!

Garlic powder: ½ teaspoon gives you that perfect garlic flavor without any chopping. So convenient and tasty!

Salt and pepper: ¾ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon ground pepper season everything just right.

Crispy fried onions: 1 cup on top adds the most amazing crunch and flavor. These make the casserole extra special!

How to Make Chicken & Broccoli Casserole

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Heat the oil in a large high-sided ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and chopped onion to the pan. Cook for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken isn’t pink on the outside anymore.

Step 2: Sprinkle the flour over the chicken mixture and cook for 1 more minute, stirring occasionally. Then carefully add all the milk to the pan and bring it to a boil, stirring frequently. The pan will be very full, so go slow! Let it boil for 1 minute while stirring.

Step 3: While the chicken cooks, put your broccoli and water in a microwave-safe container. Cover it up and microwave on high for about 3 minutes until the broccoli is tender. Drain the water when it’s done.

Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat and carefully stir in the cooked rice, cheese, dry mustard, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and your tender broccoli. Mix everything together gently. Sprinkle those crispy onions right on top!

Step 5: Pop the whole skillet into your preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s bubbling around the edges and looking golden. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving so it can set up nicely.

Easy and Quick Chicken & Broccoli Casserole Version

Want to make this even faster? You can use a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own! Just shred about 3 cups of rotisserie chicken meat and skip the first cooking step. You can also use frozen broccoli that’s already steamed – just thaw it and drain well. This cuts your prep time down to just 15 minutes!

Serving Ideas

This casserole is pretty much a complete meal all by itself! Serve it up with a fresh green salad with crisp lettuce and cherry tomatoes. Some warm dinner rolls or crusty bread on the side makes it extra cozy. A simple fruit salad with seasonal berries makes a perfect light dessert too.

Storage

Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. To reheat, just pop individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or warm the whole thing in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes. You can even freeze portions for up to 3 months – just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Substitutions

No dry mustard? No worries! Use 1 tablespoon of Dijon or yellow mustard instead. You can swap the brown rice for white rice or even cauliflower rice if you want fewer carbs. Regular milk works fine if you don’t have reduced-fat. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and gluten-free crispy onions.

Pro Tips

• Don’t overcook the chicken: It will finish cooking in the oven, so just cook until it’s no longer pink outside.
• Use a big enough skillet: This recipe makes a lot, so make sure your skillet can handle it all!
• Let it rest: Those 5 minutes of resting time really help everything set up perfectly.
• Cheese tip: Shred your own cheese if you can – it melts so much better than pre-shredded!

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

You bet! You can make the whole casserole ahead and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just cover it well with foil or plastic wrap. When you’re ready to eat, let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes, then reheat in the oven.

Is this casserole gluten-free?

As written, no, but it’s super easy to make it gluten-free! Just swap the regular flour for your favorite gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free crispy onions. Everything else is naturally gluten-free.

Can I use different vegetables?

Sure! This recipe is really flexible. Try cauliflower, green beans, or even mixed frozen vegetables. Just make sure to cook them until they’re tender before adding to the casserole.

What if I don’t have an ovenproof skillet?

No problem! Just cook everything in a regular skillet, then transfer it all to a greased 9×13 baking dish before adding the crispy onions and baking. It works just as well!

I hope your family loves this cozy casserole as much as mine does! Let me know how it turns out for you – I always love hearing about your cooking adventures. Happy cooking, friend!