Description
Broccoli chicken casserole brings comfort right to your dinner table with wholesome ingredients that make weeknight meals a breeze. Packed with tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a creamy sauce, this simple dish delivers satisfying flavors your family will absolutely adore.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups chicken breast, shredded or cubed
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1.5 cups brown rice or quinoa
Protein and Dairy Ingredients:
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Topping Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 0.5 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with 1 teaspoon olive oil at 375F. Your cooking surface needs an even coating to prevent sticking.
- Boil 3 cups fresh broccoli florets for exactly 2 minutes. Immediately drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process.
- Combine 1 cup Greek yogurt, ½ cup chicken broth, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon paprika in a mixing bowl. Whisk until your sauce becomes completely smooth.
- Spread 2 cups shredded chicken across the greased baking dish. Add blanched broccoli and 1 ½ cups cooked brown rice.
- Pour creamy sauce over chicken and vegetables. Gently stir to ensure every ingredient gets coated evenly.
- Distribute 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese across the casserole’s surface. Create crispy topping by mixing ½ cup breadcrumbs with ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
- Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over cheese layer. Ensure your topping covers the entire casserole evenly.
- Bake at 375F for precisely 25 minutes. Your casserole should look golden brown with bubbling cheese edges.
- Remove from oven and rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps your casserole set and makes cutting easier.
Notes
- Fresh broccoli works best when barely cooked, keeping its bright green color and crisp texture for maximum nutrition and flavor.
- Greek yogurt creates a creamy sauce with less fat than traditional cream-based alternatives, boosting the dish’s health profile.
- For gluten-free adaptation, swap breadcrumbs with crushed almond flour or gluten-free panko to maintain the crispy topping.
- When preparing chicken, ensure it’s fully cooked to 165°F and cut into uniform bite-sized pieces for even heating and consistent texture throughout the casserole.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 305 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg