Chicken With Broccoli Bake
A creamy, cheesy chicken and broccoli bake with a crispy topping, perfect for comforting family dinners and easy to prepare ahead of time.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked, diced chicken ⓘ
- 1/4 cup margarine ⓘ
- 1/4 cup flour ⓘ
- 1 can cream of chicken soup ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons crumbled Blue Cheese or Cheddar cheese ⓘ
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 1 package frozen broccoli, chopped, cooked and drained ⓘ
- 1 cup sour cream ⓘ
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs ⓘ
- paprika ⓘ
- salt ⓘ
- pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Melt margarine in a saucepan; add flour, cream of chicken soup, crumbled Blue Cheese or Cheddar cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Cook until smooth.
- Add cooked, chopped broccoli and diced chicken to the sauce. Heat just until boiling, then remove from heat.
- Stir in sour cream into the sauce mixture.
- Pour the mixture into a greased casserole dish.
- Top with the remaining Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve hot over rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier dish, consider adding a splash of chicken broth or milk to the sauce mixture. If you prefer a lighter option, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream. You can also swap the Blue Cheese for Feta or omit it entirely for a milder flavor. For a crunchier topping, try adding crushed crackers or using panko instead of regular bread crumbs.
Serving Suggestions
This Chicken With Broccoli Bake pairs beautifully with Microbaked Brown Rice for a wholesome meal. Serve alongside a fresh salad or roasted vegetables to add color and nutrition. For a heartier option, consider serving it with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions on medium power, stirring occasionally, until warm.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken With Broccoli Bake contains roughly 881 calories, with 23g protein, 77g carbohydrates, and 55g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (51% of the Daily Value), iron (48% of the Daily Value), and protein (47% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2514mg per serving (109% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh broccoli instead of frozen?
Yes, fresh broccoli works well! Just steam it until tender before adding it to the sauce. This will enhance the texture and flavor of your dish. Make sure to chop it into small pieces for even cooking.
Is there a way to make this dish gluten-free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend and use gluten-free breadcrumbs for the topping. Ensure the cream of chicken soup is also gluten-free, or make your own if necessary.
Can this recipe be made ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole in advance and refrigerate it before baking. Just cover it tightly with foil. When ready to serve, bake it straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure it's heated through.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).