Description
Hearty chicken and broccoli casserole delivers comfort on cold nights with creamy layers of potato, tender chicken, and crisp broccoli. Rich cheese sauce and golden breadcrumb topping complete this satisfying midweek meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (about 450 g/16 oz) cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- 3 cups (about 450 g/16 oz) baked potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 cups (about 200 g/7 oz) broccoli florets, steamed until just tender
- 1 cup (about 100 g/3.5 oz) shredded cheddar cheese (plus more for topping)
- ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) sour cream
- ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) milk
- ¼ cup (60 g/2 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp (15 ml/0.5 fl oz) olive oil or butter (for sauteing garlic)
- Optional toppings: cooked bacon bits, green onions, extra cheese
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Ignite the kitchen oven to a steady 375°F (190°C), establishing the perfect thermal canvas for culinary magic.
- Baking Vessel Setup: Delicately brush the baking dish with a gossamer layer of cooking spray, creating a non-adhesive sanctuary for the impending flavor fusion.
- Aromatic Foundation: In a skillet, coax olive oil or butter into a fragrant ballet with minced garlic, allowing its essence to bloom for 1-2 minutes until a rich, golden whisper emerges.
- Creamy Orchestration: Whisk together the garlic-infused base with sour cream, milk, cream cheese, onion powder, salt, and pepper, transforming the ingredients into a silken symphony of flavors.
- Ingredient Harmony: Gently incorporate chicken, baked potatoes, broccoli, and cheddar cheese into the creamy canvas, ensuring each element is tenderly embraced by the luxurious sauce.
- Baking Performance: Transfer the melodious mixture to the prepared dish, leveling it into a tempting landscape of comfort. Adorn with an additional cheddar cheese cascade and optional bacon confetti for heightened indulgence.
- Culinary Transformation: Nestle the dish into the preheated oven, allowing it to evolve for 20-25 minutes until the surface achieves a golden-brown crescendo and the interior bubbles with anticipatory enthusiasm.
Notes
- Prevent Overcooking Broccoli: Steam broccoli briefly before adding to casserole to maintain vibrant green color and crisp texture, avoiding mushy vegetables that lose nutritional value.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Grate cheese fresh for optimal melting and smoother sauce consistency, avoiding pre-shredded varieties which contain anti-caking agents that inhibit creamy texture.
- Potato Preparation Hack: Par-bake potatoes beforehand to ensure even cooking and prevent excess moisture, guaranteeing a perfectly tender potato texture without making the casserole watery.
- Diet Modification Strategy: Swap full-fat dairy with Greek yogurt and low-fat cheese for a lighter version, and use grilled chicken breast for a protein-packed, lower-calorie alternative that maintains delicious flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 415
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg