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Irresistible Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

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A quick and easy homemade dinner featuring tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a creamy cheesy sauce, perfect for family meals or leftovers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 3 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen, chopped
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 1 cup milk (whole or 2%, or dairy-free alternative)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch casserole dish with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Steam or blanch fresh broccoli florets for 3-4 minutes until just tender but still bright green. Drain and set aside. If using frozen broccoli, thaw and pat dry.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper and sauté for 6-8 minutes until cooked through and golden. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil or butter. Cook onions for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Sprinkle flour over onions and garlic, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook out raw flavor.
  6. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk, stirring to prevent lumps. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until thickened and creamy.
  7. Lower heat and stir in softened cream cheese until smooth. Fold in half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and optional smoked paprika or cayenne.
  8. Return cooked chicken to skillet, add broccoli, and gently stir to coat with sauce.
  9. Transfer mixture to prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs evenly on top.
  10. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Soften cream cheese before adding to avoid lumps. Use fresh broccoli for best texture but frozen works fine if thawed and drained. For gluten-free, substitute flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free versions. For dairy-free, use dairy-free cream cheese and milk alternatives. To get a crispy topping, toss breadcrumbs with melted butter before sprinkling. Cover casserole during first 15 minutes of baking to retain moisture, then uncover to crisp topping.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken casserole, broccoli casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, cheesy casserole, family meal, quick dinner, homemade casserole

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/irresistible-chicken-and-broccoli-casserole-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-idea/