The BEST Broccoli, Chicken & Cheese Casserole

The savoury flavours of bacon, chicken, broccoli, and cheese are combined to create this mouth-watering casserole. Simple to make and yet sure to impress. Enjoy warm, gooey, cheesy goodness with every bite.

Your New Favourite Casserole Recipe

Give this Broccoli, Chicken & Cheese Casserole recipe a try, and it will soon become a staple in your household. It’s easy to prepare yet perfect for occasions like date nights and dinner parties. This dish is not only sure to impress your guests but also packed with nutrient-rich chicken and broccoli, making it both satisfying and delicious. Get ready to indulge in the best casserole recipe that will leave you wanting more.

Picky Eater Approved

If you don’t like broccoli, think again. Even the pickiest of eaters will learn to love this green vegetable. This isn’t your average broccoli; it’s the kind that practically melts in your mouth, complemented by a generous helping of cheesy goodness. Sometimes I make this recipe with double the broccoli so I can heap my bowl full of it. It’s that good!

Ingredients

• 1 onion, diced
• 3 tbsp bacon grease (or olive oil, or butter)
• 1 broccoli, florets (3-4 cups)
• 4 potatoes (3 cups, peeled and chopped)
• 2 chicken breasts (4 cups, chopped)
• 1/3 cup broth (vegetable or chicken)
• 2 tsp garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup half & half cream (or whipping cream, or milk)
• 2.5 cups shredded cheeses (mostly cheddar, but I also add some mozzarella and parmesan)
• 2 cups crackers, or 4 slices bread (to make crumbly topping)
• 4 tbsp butter

The BEST Broccoli, Chicken & Cheese Casserole – Instructions:

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350F. Start by adding diced onion to a pan, along with 3 tbsp of bacon grease. Cook for 5 minutes until onions are lightly browned.

Note: I usually have a jar of bacon grease on the counter ready to use from cooking bacon beforehand. It adds great flavour and I love utilizing an ingredient that might otherwise go to waste. But you can also just use butter or olive oil. Whatever floats your boat.

Step 2

Pour in broccoli, chicken, potatoes and broth. Cover with a lid and continue cooking for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 3

Remove lid. Add shredded cheeses.

Note: Even though this is mostly a cheddar casserole, I like to add some mozzarella and a bit of parmesan as well. It’s a yummy way to use up extra cheeses and gives it a rich flavour. For a total of 2 1/2 cups of shredded cheese, I usually use about 1 1/2 cups of cheddar, 3/4 cup of mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of parmesan. But you can be flexible and use whatever cheeses you have. I’m sure any combination will taste delicious!

Step 4

Add diced bacon to pan.

Note: I love pre-cooking the bacon so that it’s ready to go. You can either prepare it right before making this casserole, and then leave the grease in the pan to add extra flavour. Or you can cook the bacon a day before and keep it in the fridge. I usually have some on hand already because my fiancés favourite breakfast is a Bacon, Cheddar & Lettuce Sourdough Bagel!

Step 5

Add cream, italian seasoning, salt and minced garlic. Stir to combine. Continue cooking for 5 minutes, until some of the liquid has evaporated and mixture thickens.

Step 6

While the chicken mixture is cooking, you can make a crispy topping with crackers (like I did in these photos) or breadcrumbs. I had some leftover crackers from a party, so I decided to use them. But if you don’t have any, you can also use sourdough sandwich bread. Both taste delicious and are perfect for this casserole!

For crackers: Add roughly 2 cups to a plastic bag and smash with wooden spoon. For bread: Add 3-4 slices to a blender and blend on low until a crumby texture is created.

Afterwards, melt 4 tbsp of butter and pour into a small bowl along with the smashed crackers or breadcrumbs. Stir to combine.

Note: The topping is totally optional! I made this casserole for months before I started adding it. Both ways taste amazing.

Step 7

Lightly grease a 9×12″ casserole dish (this is another great way to use up some extra bacon grease). Pour chicken mixture into pan and cover evenly with breadcrumb or cracker topping.

Step 8

Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Print Recipe

The BEST Broccoli, Chicken & Cheese Casserole

The savoury flavours of bacon, chicken, broccoli, and cheese are combined to create this mouth-watering casserole. Simple to make and yet sure to impress. Enjoy warm, gooey, cheesy goodness with every bite.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time45 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 onion diced
• 3 tbsp bacon grease or olive oil, or butter
• 1 broccoli florets (3-4 cups)
• 4 potatoes 3 cups, peeled and chopped
• 2 chicken breasts 4 cups, chopped
• 1/3 cup broth vegetable or chicken
• 2 tsp garlic minced
• 1 tbsp italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup half & half cream or whipping cream, or milk
• 2.5 cups shredded cheeses mostly cheddar, but I also add some mozzarella and parmesan
• 2 cups crackers or 4 slices bread (to make crumbly topping)
• 4 tbsp butter

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Start by adding diced onion to a pan, along with 3 tbsp of bacon grease. Cook for 5 minutes until onions are lightly browned. (See Note 1)
• Pour in broccoli, chicken, potatoes and broth. Cover with a lid and continue cooking for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove lid. Add shredded cheeses. (See Note 2)
• Add diced bacon to pan. (See Note 3)
• Add cream, italian seasoning, salt and minced garlic. Stir to combine. Continue cooking for 5 minutes, until some of the liquid has evaporated and mixture thickens.
• While the chicken mixture is cooking, you can make a crispy topping with crackers (like I did in these photos) or breadcrumbs. For crackers: Add roughly 2 cups to a plastic bag and smash with wooden spoon. For bread: Add 3-4 slices to a blender and blend on low until a crumby texture is created. Afterwards, melt 4 tbsp of butter and pour into a small bowl along with the smashed crackers or breadcrumbs. Stir to combine.
• Lightly grease a 9×12 casserole dish. Pour chicken mixture into pan and cover evenly with breadcrumb or cracker topping.
• Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes

Note 1: I usually have a jar of bacon grease on the counter ready to use from cooking bacon beforehand. It adds great flavour and I love utilizing an ingredient that might otherwise go to waste. But you can also just use butter or olive oil. Whatever floats your boat.

Note 2: Even though this is a cheddar casserole, I like to add some mozzarella and a bit of parmesan as well. It’s a yummy way to use up extra cheeses and gives it a rich flavour. For a total of 2 1/2 cups of shredded cheese, I usually use about 1 1/2 cups of cheddar, 3/4 cup of mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of parmesan. But you can be flexible and use whatever shredded cheeses you have. I’m sure any combination will taste delicious!

Note 3: I love pre-cooking the bacon so that it’s ready to go. You can either prepare it right before making this casserole, and then leave the grease in the pan to add extra flavour. Or you can cook the bacon a day before and keep it in the fridge. I usually have some on hand already because my fiancés favourite breakfast is a Bacon, Cheddar & Lettuce Sourdough Bagel.

 

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Let me know if you give this Broccoli, Chicken & Cheese Casserole a try! I’d love to see how it turns out. Tag me on instagram @gwenthemilkmaid or leave a comment below.

It’s even cat approved!

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