Baked Broccoli and Chicken

Delicious chicken and broccoli baked casserole with rich, gooey cheesy sauce and aromatic seasoning blend. Easy and quick comforting weeknight dinner!

My best tip to make baked broccoli and chicken casserole is to make the double cheese sauce with condensed cream of cheddar cheese soup and extra shredded cheddar cheese – this sauce just smothers chicken and sticks to it, and the top is bubbly and has that perfect cheese crust.

If you love broccoli, you should try these smashed broccoli, broccoli cheddar soup (Instant pot), and this super simple broccoli pasta.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A naturally healthy, low carb meal! Plus I don’t use any oils at all (you can, although, use olive oil if you wish).
• It is such a yummy recipe, even picky eaters have no argument against it.
• One-pan meal for a family. No mess, less cleaning, no cooking skills required to master it.
• I love both flavors and texture: tender chicken, crunchy juicy broccoli, cheese, and more cheese. You can tell I love cheese sauces.
• Super freezer-friendly so I recommend making a double batch for meal prep and simply freeze it.

Ingredients Notes

• Chicken: use your favorite part of the chicken, like chicken breasts or skinless chicken thighs (tenderer meat). You can use any leftover cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken is perfect). I prefer cutting the chicken breasts in cubes, but it is totally fine to use shredded chicken. I don’t recommend using frozen chicken. Fresh doesn’t contain as much liquid and won’t make the dish soggy and mushy.
• Broccoli florets – fresh or frozen (do not use frozen broccoli cuts). I prefer fresh broccoli as they stay firm and don’t make the dish watery as frozen broccoli sometimes does.
• Seasoning blend: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, coarse kosher salt, black pepper. If you want bolder flavors, use minced garlic instead of the powder.
• Condensed cheddar soup for extra cheesy flavor and keeping the chicken moist, and really infuse it with savory flavors.
• Shredded cheddar cheese. Buy a block and shred it at home to avoid all those anti-caking unhealthy additives in the store-bought packets.
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Kitchen Equipment

• 1.5-quart baking or casserole dish
• Spoon
• Spatula
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Measuring spoons and cup 
• Aluminum foil

How To Make Baked Broccoli Chicken Casserole

Prep work: Preheat the oven to 400° F. Spray a 1.5-quart baking dish with cooking oil or nonstick cooking spray.

Cut chicken in bite-sized pieces and wash the broccoli.

1: Load The Ingredients

1. Add the chicken and broccoli to the greased dish.
2. Top with the dried seasonings.
3. Add half of the cheddar soup. (you can use the whole can if you want it extra cheesy and more sauce)

2: Bake

1. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven.
2. Remove the foil. Add the shredded cheddar cheese.
3. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, uncovered, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. The chicken should be fork tender and cooked through.
4. Garnish with parsley when serving – optional.
5. Serving suggestions: Serve immediately over your favorite pasta, roasted potatoes, white rice, brown rice, or riced cauliflower. Cornbread and savory muffins go well with the cheese sauce too!
6. If you love bright flavors, you can squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the chicken.

Storage

You can keep chicken broccoli bake leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in a microwave for about 30 seconds.

How To Freeze Broccoli Chicken Casserole?

You can freeze leftovers, once the food has cooled completely. Transfer to a container, wrap into foil, and store in the freezer for 3 months.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven, microwave, or an air fryer.

However, if using frozen veggies or chicken, I don’t recommend freezing the baked dish.

Substitutions & Variations

• Cheddar cheese soup can be substituted with cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth or condensed soup. Any canned soup you like to use will work in a pinch. Homemade cream of chicken soup works amazingly too.
• Meat. Instead of using boneless skinless chicken breasts, you can also use turkey or pork chops.
• Cheese. While my recipe calls for cheddar, you can also use Parmesan cheese, Mozzarella, Colby, or Monterey Jack. You can swap it with nutritional yeast as well to keep the recipe dairy-free.
• Not a fan of broccoli? Use cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, mushrooms, green beans, or bell peppers.
• Make creamy sauce. Use mayo, sour cream, cream cheese, or coconut milk to cook a cream sauce with cheese.
• You can add any other seasonings, to adjust the taste, make it spicy or use smoked paprika for a smokey flavor, add dry ranch seasoning mix, or Italian spices for more herbs and aromas. Mustard adds a really nice pungent kick.
• Add crunchy topping: use panko breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers mixed with melted butter to cover the whole dish.

Popular Questions

How Long Do You Cook Chicken Broccoli Bake?

Chicken and broccoli bake is typically cooked for about 35 minutes. First, you bake it covered with foil for 25 minutes, then uncover it to add cheese and bake for an additional 10 minutes. This ensures the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is perfectly melted.

Is Baked Chicken And Broccoli Good For You?

Yes, baked chicken and broccoli is good for a healthy diet! Chicken provides lean protein, which is essential for building muscles, and broccoli offers vitamins and fiber that help keep your gut healthy. Plus, baking is a healthier cooking method because it uses less oil.

Can I Cook Chicken And Broccoli In The Same Pan?

Yes, you can cook chicken and broccoli in the same pan. This is a great way to save time and make the clean up easier. Just make sure to cut the chicken pieces into small cubes, similar size to broccoli florets, or shred it, so it cooks evenly.

If you love this baked chicken dinner recipe, you’re going to love these other baked chicken meals too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

More Great Cheesy Broccoli Dishes

Cheesy Broccoli Rice

Smashed Broccoli

Cheesy Broccoli Sausage Skillet Dinner

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

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