Description
This comforting Chicken Broccoli Bake combines tender shredded chicken, vibrant steamed broccoli, and fluffy cooked rice in a creamy mixture topped with melted cheddar cheese and a crispy breadcrumb crust. Baked to golden perfection, it’s a hearty, easy-to-make casserole perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Steam the broccoli: In a medium saucepan, steam the broccoli florets over medium heat for about 4-5 minutes until they are tender but still bright green.
- Cool broccoli: Remove the broccoli from the heat and set it aside to cool slightly.
- Combine chicken and rice: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken and cooked rice, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Add broccoli: Add the steamed broccoli florets to the chicken and rice mixture and stir until everything is combined.
- Prepare sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Mix sauce and main ingredients: Pour the soup mixture over the chicken, rice, and broccoli, stirring to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- Add cheese: Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese, ensuring it is well incorporated into the mixture.
- Transfer to baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and transfer the mixture into it, spreading it out evenly to cover the bottom of the dish.
- Prepare topping: In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with a tablespoon of melted butter.
- Add topping: Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole to form a crispy topping.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
- Rest: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set.
- Serve: Scoop out portions of the casserole and serve while hot.
Notes
- Use freshly steamed broccoli for the best texture and flavor; frozen broccoli can be used but may release more water.
- Leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken works well to save time.
- For a lighter version, substitute cream of chicken soup with a low-fat or homemade alternative.
- Breadcrumb topping adds a nice crunch, but you can omit it for a softer casserole.
- This casserole can be made ahead, assembled, and refrigerated before baking; add extra baking time if baking cold.
