Go Back
A warm, bubbly chicken broccoli casserole in a white baking dish.

Classic Creamy Comfort Chicken Broccoli Casserole

This classic creamy chicken and broccoli casserole is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a rich, cheesy sauce, all baked to golden perfection. It's a hearty and satisfying meal perfect for any weeknight.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Pot
  • Large bowl
  • Whisk
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Oven
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 3-4 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced leftover rotisserie chicken is ideal
  • 4-5 cups fresh broccoli florets
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
  • 1/2 cup milk whole milk recommended
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch paprika
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil if cooking fresh chicken

Optional Topping

  • 1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs for topping

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • If using raw chicken, dice or shred 1-1.5 lbs chicken breast/thighs and cook in a skillet with 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat until no longer pink, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Bring lightly salted water to a boil, add broccoli florets, and cook for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain, plunge into an ice bath to stop cooking, then drain thoroughly, pressing out excess water.

Assembly and Baking

  • In a large bowl, whisk cream of chicken soup, milk, and sour cream until smooth, then stir in 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika.
  • Add the cooked chicken and blanched broccoli to the sauce, folding gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
  • Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish and spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over the top, and optionally add crushed crackers or panko breadcrumbs for a crunchy topping.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 25-35 minutes until hot, bubbly, and lightly golden; cover with foil if the top browns too quickly.

Serving

  • Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of dried thyme or a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the creamy sauce. This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. If baking from cold, you may need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.