Easy Chicken Broccoli Casserole

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Hearty Casseroles – do you love them or what? Well if it is a yes like me then this Creamy Chicken Broccoli Casserole recipe is the kind of recipe you’ll want to make sure you always have the ingredients on hand for. 

I mean, what’s not to love about broccoli layered with chicken and cheese and a creamy, flavorful sauce so even picky eaters will enjoy this casserole. And the smell in your kitchen while this bakes is heavenly! #bestthingever

It’s easy to make when you’re busy or don’t feel 100% and it’s the kind of family favorite that your kiddoes will make in their own homes one day. 

Why You’ll ♡ It

• This recipe is made with ingredients you already have in your pantry.
• You can prep this recipe very quickly.
• Several ingredients are easy to substitute.
• This casserole is comforting and filling.

Pantry Staples You Will Need

• Broccoli
• Chicken
• Canned mushrooms
• Water chestnuts
• Cheddar cheese
• Cream soup
• Mayonnaise
• Lemon juice
• Curry powder
• Croutons

How To Make Chicken Broccoli Casserole

1. Preheat the oven to 350F / 176C.
2. Cook the chicken (or use a pre-made rotisserie chicken) and shred, or chop four cups of the meat and then set it aside.
3. To make the sauce, combine the cream soup, mayo, lemon juice, and curry powder in a large mixing bowl.
4. Add in the broccoli, chicken, mushrooms, water chestnuts, and cheese. Then stir to combine. 
5. Pour into a casserole dish and top with croutons.
6. Bake for 45 minutes. 

Chicken And Broccoli Casserole Tips

Preparing the Chicken:

Chicken is a vital part of this recipe, but don’t stress over it. You can easily use leftover chicken or prepare the chicken in one of several ways:

• Boiled Chicken – Boil the chicken breasts until cooked through. Shred or chop the chicken and add it to the recipe.
• Baked Chicken – Season chicken with salt and pepper and bake in the oven until it is done.
• Rotisserie Chicken – Grab a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from your local market. Remove the skin and pick the chicken off the bones. Chop or shred before adding to the recipe. 

Preparing the sauce:

• Mayonnaise is not a common casserole ingredient, but the combination of the mayo, cream soup, lemon juice, and curry creates a delectable sauce that makes this recipe oh-so-tasty.
• If you are completely opposed to using mayonnaise, you can substitute sour cream. I wouldn’t recommend Miracle Whip though.

Preparing the Broccoli:

• If you are using frozen broccoli (which is totally okay!), be sure to defrost it completely and then drain any excess water before adding to the casserole mixture. 
• If using fresh broccoli, I recommend steaming it before adding to the casserole so that the pieces are nice and tender. 

Variations and Substitutions

The best thing about pantry meals is that it’s easy to substitute other ingredients. Here are a few suggestions:

• Broccoli: use frozen or fresh, whatever you happen to have.
• Cream Soup: Any flavor will do! I have made this with cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, and even cream of broccoli soup. The flavors are slightly different with each, but still SO yummy!
• Cheese: Cheddar cheese is classic in this dish, but you could substitute white cheddar, Colby, or a Monterey Jack blend. 
• Croutons: Croutons add a layer of crunch to this recipe. If you don’t have croutons on hand you can cube up some toasted bread and toss it with a bit of melted butter before topping the casserole. Swapping in crushed crackers or potato chips will totally work too. Get creative!

Prep Ahead And Meal Prep

Prep ahead – This broccoli chicken casserole is perfect for family gatherings, and making it in advance will give you more time to spend with your family. 

Although this casserole is easy to prepare, you can prep the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and store it in your refrigerator until you are ready to bake it.

Freeze – Casseroles are so easy to freeze and this one is no exception! I like to make a double batch and then freeze one casserole for even easier meal prep in the future. For smaller families, you can divide this casserole recipe in two and freeze half for another meal. 

To store in the freezer, just follow these steps:

• Simply wrap the casserole tightly with plastic wrap and foil before freezing. 
• Don’t forget to label the package with the contents, date, and cooking times. 
• When you are ready to use your frozen casserole, place in the fridge to thaw 12-24 hours in advance before baking as instructed. 

Serving Suggestions

Here are a few things you can pair with this Broccoli Chicken Casserole to make a complete meal. 

• Instant Pot Brown Rice.
• Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.
• Corn Tortillas.
• Instant Pot Butternut Squash Mash.

Other Casserole Recipes You Might Like

• Tater Tot Casserole.
• Corn Pudding Casserole.
• Southern Squash Casserole.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 6 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Thank you for reading my Broccoli Chicken Casserole recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans, and much more for you. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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