Description
A comforting Chicken and Broccoli Stuff casserole featuring tender broccoli, shredded chicken, and a creamy cheesy sauce topped with a crispy buttery panko breadcrumb crust. Baked to bubbly perfection, it’s served over hot rice making it a hearty family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound frozen broccoli (thawed)
- 3 cups cooked chicken (chopped or shredded)
- 1 & 1/2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
- cooked rice, for serving
Sauce & Seasoning
- 2 (10 oz) cans cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 & 1/4 cups panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Cook the broccoli: Prepare the broccoli by steaming or microwaving it according to package instructions to retain its nutrients effectively. Once cooked, set it aside to cool slightly.
- Mix the sauce: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, cayenne pepper, lemon pepper, seasoning salt, onion powder, and black pepper. Feel free to adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences.
- Add broccoli and chicken: Fold the cooked broccoli and shredded chicken into the sauce mixture until everything is evenly coated. Transfer this combined mixture into a 9×13 inch baking pan, spreading it out evenly.
- Prepare breadcrumb topping: In a medium bowl, melt the butter and then add the panko bread crumbs. Stir well to coat the crumbs with butter, creating a crunchy topping.
- Bake the casserole: Sprinkle the buttered panko crumbs evenly over the chicken and broccoli mixture. Place the baking dish in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and serve hot over freshly cooked rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Steaming or microwaving frozen broccoli helps retain nutrients better than boiling.
- Seasonings can be adjusted or omitted based on personal preference.
- Using panko crumbs creates a lighter, crunchier topping compared to regular bread crumbs.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly before serving.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or other grains of choice.
