Description
This Easy Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Bake is the ultimate comfort food dinner that combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a creamy cheese sauce baked to golden perfection. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep, this one-pan wonder delivers maximum flavor with minimal cleanup!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 1 large head)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
For the Topping (optional):
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Prepare the Broccoli: If using fresh broccoli, you can either add it raw (for a crisper texture) or blanch it for 2-3 minutes in boiling water, then drain and pat dry. Raw broccoli works perfectly fine and saves a step.
- Season the Chicken: Place the cubed chicken in the prepared baking dish. Season with half of the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, tossing to coat evenly.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese, and the remaining seasonings until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Everything: Add the broccoli florets to the baking dish with the chicken, distributing them evenly. Pour the creamy sauce mixture over the top, using a spoon to ensure everything is well coated.
- Add Cheese Layer: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Prepare the Topping: If using the breadcrumb topping, mix the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl, then sprinkle evenly over the cheese layer.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, the broccoli is tender, and the top is golden and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Chicken Size Matters: Cut your chicken into uniform 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking. Smaller pieces cook faster but can dry out.
- Don’t Overbake: Check the chicken temperature at 30 minutes to avoid dry chicken. The residual heat will continue cooking after you remove it from the oven.
- Cheese Options: For an extra-special version, mix different cheeses like Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or white cheddar.
- Vegetable Variations: Add cauliflower, diced bell peppers, or mushrooms for more veggie variety.
- Make It Lighter: Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and mayonnaise, and reduced-fat cheese to cut calories without sacrificing too much flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole (approximately 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 865mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 125mg