Looking for a cozy, easy dinner idea that’s packed with flavor and nutrition? This Chicken Potato Broccoli Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and wholesome one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights, weekend gatherings, or meal prep. Combining tender chunks of chicken, hearty potatoes, fresh broccoli, and melty cheese, it’s a comfort food classic that satisfies everyone at the table. Whether you’re craving a quick dinner, hearty lunch, or looking for make-ahead food ideas, this easy recipe fits the bill—perfect for families, kids, and healthy snack lovers alike!
What makes this chicken casserole special is its delightful combination of textures and flavors. The crispy top layer of cheese contrasts beautifully with the creamy filling beneath, making each bite a heavenly experience. You also get the richness from the cream of chicken soup, contributing both flavor and moisture that binds all the ingredients together harmoniously. Plus, it’s a versatile dish that allows for endless variations through the addition of other veggies or seasonings!
You can’t go wrong with a dish like this, especially when it’s so simple to prepare. All it takes is some boiling, chopping, and mixing before it goes into the oven. In around 50 minutes, you can have a delicious homemade meal that will delight your family and friends.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Potato Broccoli Casserole
- Flavorful: The combination of chicken, cheese, and vegetables creates a rich and satisfying taste.
- Easy to Prepare: This is a one-dish recipe that requires minimal clean-up.
- Healthy Ingredients: Packed with protein and fiber from chicken, broccoli, and potatoes.
- Customizable: Add different vegetables or spices to suit your preference.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make it ahead of time and enjoy throughout the week!
Preparation Phase & Tools to Use
Before diving into this delicious recipe, it’s essential to prepare your kitchen and gather all necessary tools. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Greasing your 9×13-inch baking dish is crucial to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving. Also, having a good-quality skillet for sautéing your onions and garlic will make a significant difference in flavor; a non-stick skillet is ideal.
Make sure you have a large mixing bowl for combining all the ingredients. In addition, have a pot ready for boiling your potatoes and a knife for chopping your veggies. Gather your utensils like a spatula for mixing, and a ladle for serving. Having everything prepared will streamline the cooking process, making it smoother and more enjoyable.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- 3 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or thawed if frozen)
- 1 cup green peas (optional)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 0.5 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 0.5 cup milk
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step is crucial as it ensures that your casserole cooks evenly once it’s ready to go in the oven. While your oven is heating up, take your 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a good grease with olive oil or butter to prevent your delicious casserole from sticking.
Step 2: Boil the Potatoes
Place the peeled and cubed potatoes into a pot of salted water and bring it to a boil. Cook the potatoes for about 8–10 minutes until they are just tender; you want them firm enough to hold their shape in the casserole. After they’re done, drain them and set them aside to cool slightly before mixing with the other ingredients.
Step 3: Sauté the Onion and Garlic
In a skillet over medium heat, add your olive oil or butter, heating it until shimmering. Toss in the finely chopped onion and let it sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent. The aroma of the cooking onion will begin to fill your kitchen, adding a beautiful base flavor to the dish. Following that, add in the minced garlic and continue to sauté for another minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Step 4: Combine the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, boiled potatoes, fresh broccoli florets, and optional green peas. Add the sautéed onion and garlic mixture, along with 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese. Pour in the sour cream, milk, and the can of cream of chicken soup. Sprinkle in the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Use a spatula to gently stir everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated and mixed.
Step 5: Assemble the Casserole
Spread the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish, ensuring it is evenly distributed. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 0.5 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and then add the mozzarella cheese for an extra creamy topping.
Step 6: Bake Until Golden
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. Keep an eye on it, and look for a bubbling mixture and a beautiful golden-brown cheese top. If you like a crunchier texture up top, you can broil it for an additional 2-3 minutes, but watch closely to prevent burning.
Step 7: Let it Rest
Once it’s out of the oven, allow the casserole to rest for about 5–10 minutes before serving. This helps to set the casserole and allows for easier slicing. For a pop of color, you can garnish your dish with freshly chopped parsley right before serving.
Variations
- Protein: Substitute chicken with turkey, ham, or even a plant-based protein for a vegetarian option.
- Vegetables: Incorporate additional vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or corn for added flavor and nutrition.
- Spices: Experiment with different herbs such as thyme, basil, or rosemary to elevate the flavor profile.
Cooking Notes
- Roasting the broccoli and potatoes before assembling the casserole can add extra flavor and reduce moisture.
- If you prefer a lighter version, swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure you use certified gluten-free cream of chicken soup and seasonings.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.
- Pair with crusty bread for a hearty companion.
Tips
- Ensure even cooking by cutting chicken and potatoes into similar-sized pieces.
- For extra creaminess, consider adding cream cheese to the mixture.
- Feel free to use leftover rotisserie chicken for quicker preparation.
- Adjust spices based on individual taste preferences, increasing or decreasing as needed.
Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 350 per serving
- Protein: 25g
- Sodium: 800mg
FAQs
How can I store leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the casserole for longer storage, up to 3 months.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the casserole in advance and keep it in the refrigerator before baking. Just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if it’s coming straight from the fridge.
What can I serve with this casserole?
This casserole pairs wonderfully with a fresh salad, crusty bread, or even steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Can I use frozen broccoli and potatoes?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli, but it’s better to avoid frozen potatoes as they may affect the texture of the casserole. Fresh potatoes are preferred.
Conclusion
This Chicken Potato Broccoli Casserole embodies the essence of comfort food—delicious, filling, and easy to make. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want to whip up something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. The beautiful combination of chicken, potatoes, broccoli, and cheese is not only delightful but also packed with nutrients. Feel free to customize this recipe with various vegetables and proteins to suit your tastes or dietary needs. We’d love for you to give this casserole a try! If you enjoyed making it, please leave a comment, share your experience, and let us know your favorite variations. Cooking should be a joyous journey, and your feedback can inspire others to create their own culinary delights!
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Chicken Potato Broccoli Casserole
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This Chicken Potato Broccoli Casserole embodies the essence of comfort food—delicious, filling, and easy to make.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- 3 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or thawed if frozen)
- 1 cup green peas (optional)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 0.5 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 0.5 cup milk
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This step is crucial as it ensures that your casserole cooks evenly once it’s ready to go in the oven. While your oven is heating up, take your 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a good grease with olive oil or butter to prevent your delicious casserole from sticking.
- Place the peeled and cubed potatoes into a pot of salted water and bring it to a boil. Cook the potatoes for about 8–10 minutes until they are just tender; you want them firm enough to hold their shape in the casserole. After they’re done, drain them and set them aside to cool slightly before mixing with the other ingredients.
- In a skillet over medium heat, add your olive oil or butter, heating it until shimmering. Toss in the finely chopped onion and let it sauté for about 3-4 minutes until translucent. The aroma of the cooking onion will begin to fill your kitchen, adding a beautiful base flavor to the dish. Following that, add in the minced garlic and continue to sauté for another minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, boiled potatoes, fresh broccoli florets, and optional green peas. Add the sautéed onion and garlic mixture, along with 1.5 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese. Pour in the sour cream, milk, and the can of cream of chicken soup. Sprinkle in the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Use a spatula to gently stir everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated and mixed.
- Spread the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish, ensuring it is evenly distributed. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 0.5 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and then add the mozzarella cheese for an extra creamy topping.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. Keep an eye on it, and look for a bubbling mixture and a beautiful golden-brown cheese top. If you like a crunchier texture up top, you can broil it for an additional 2-3 minutes, but watch closely to prevent burning.
- Once it’s out of the oven, allow the casserole to rest for about 5–10 minutes before serving. This helps to set the casserole and allows for easier slicing. For a pop of color, you can garnish your dish with freshly chopped parsley right before serving.
Notes
Ensure even cooking by cutting chicken and potatoes into similar-sized pieces. For extra creaminess, consider adding cream cheese to the mixture. Feel free to use leftover rotisserie chicken for quicker preparation. Adjust spices based on individual taste preferences, increasing or decreasing as needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Protein: 25 g