Description
This comforting Chicken Broccoli Bake combines tender cooked chicken and fresh broccoli florets in a creamy sauce made with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk. Topped with a blend of cheddar and Parmesan cheese and a crunchy Ritz cracker topping, this easy-to-make casserole is perfect for a hearty family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) 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
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Cook the chicken breasts thoroughly using your preferred method and chop into bite-sized pieces. Ensure the chicken is fully cooled before assembling the bake to prevent overcooking.
- Steam the Broccoli: Steam the fresh broccoli florets until they are tender but still crisp, approximately 4-5 minutes. This will ensure a perfect texture after baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk. Stir thoroughly until smooth.
- Season the Sauce: Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the sauce mixture. Adjust seasoning to your taste.
- Assemble the Bake: Layer the steamed broccoli evenly at the bottom of the baking dish, followed by an even layer of chopped chicken pieces on top.
- Add Sauce: Pour the creamy sauce mixture evenly over the broccoli and chicken layers to coat them well.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the sauce layer.
- Add Crunchy Topping: Crush the Ritz crackers finely and sprinkle them evenly on top of the cheese layer to add texture and a golden crust when baked.
- Bake the Dish: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to save time.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cheese.
- You can add a pinch of paprika or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Make sure to steam the broccoli just right to avoid it becoming mushy after baking.
- For gluten-free option, substitute Ritz crackers with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
