Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole is filled with delicious, tender white meat chicken, perfectly cooked broccoli, tender pasta, and of course, loads of cheese. It’s the perfect family meal or addition to any potluck, and it’s always cheese-tacular.
If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know that casseroles are my jam. I love making them. They’re just so easy and so full of flavor and are the perfect comfort food. What other dishes can combine so many flavors into recipes that are just ridiculously easy. The answer is not many. When I was younger, I made casseroles so I could eat leftovers for a couple of days. Later, after I became a mom, I made them because I could feed a literal army with them.
These days, I make casseroles like this cheesy chicken broccoli casserole because I always have something on hand when I’m busy with the blog or if my kids happen to stop by – which is often. I also love making them for potlucks and holiday get-togethers. I guess casseroles are always a great option for any occasion, which is really what it boils down to. One of my favorite casseroles is this chicken and broccoli number, and I’m so happy to share it with all of you.
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole
This cheesy chicken broccoli casserole is everything all of us have ever loved in a casserole. It’s filled with simple ingredients that come together so easily, and when they combine, they produce an absolute truckload of flavor. This recipe is easy. It’s super easy. BUT it doesn’t taste easy. It’s loaded with flavor, and it’s all so rich and creamy.
This casserole features a combination of tender chicken, perfectly cooked broccoli, al-dente pasta, mushrooms, flavorful spices, and just so much cheese. It’s a complete meal in and of itself, which makes it the perfect weeknight meal for busy families. Also, it is an excellent dish to bring to any potluck or get-together. It’s a super versatile dish that everyone always loves, which always makes it the perfect choice.
Tips
This recipe is so ridiculously simple, there aren’t many tips to be had for it. It’s not involved, it doesn’t have a lot of ingredients, and there aren’t a lot of steps. That being said, I do have a few things to remember to ensure that your cheesy chicken broccoli casserole is as absolutely delicious as it can possibly be. These are simple tips that make a big difference, so be sure not to skip them.
Al Dente Pasta
Be sure you cook your pasta until al dente and only al dente. That might seem a little firm to some people, but this dish will be baked in the oven, which will further cook the pasta. If you start out with soft pasta, you’ll end up with a messy casserole full of mushy noodles.
Finely Chopped Onions
When chopping your onions for this dish, keep the chops small. The onions are meant to be about their flavor, not the texture of chewing them. Finely chopped onions will deliver an excellent flavor without a chunky onion texture that some people might not enjoy.
Variations
Like any casserole, it’s easy to change up this chicken broccoli casserole. All it takes are a few simple tweaks to make it the tastiest version for your family or to simply make it feel fresh again after eating it the same way over and over – which I’m certain you will.
Different Pasta
I like to use rigatoni for this casserole, but you can use any short noodle that you like or have on hand. I don’t recommend using spaghetti, fettuccini, or similar pastas, as they will simply clump up when you try to eat the dish.
Different Meat
Chicken is perfect in this dish, but you could also use leftover turkey, beef, or even pork. Any of those work well with the vegetables and cheese in this dish. It’s a great way to use up your leftover meat.
Different Cheese
You can drastically change the feel of this cheesy chicken broccoli casserole by changing the kind of cheese you use. Rather than sharp cheddar cheese, you can opt for almost any shredded cheese you enjoy. Yellow or white – they all work well. For example, mozzarella is an excellent option. For a southwest feel, try a Mexican or taco blend. The sky’s the limit.
Veggies
This recipe calls for mushrooms and broccoli, but if you’re a veggie lover, feel free to add anything. Really pile it on. It’s a great way to get in extra fiber, minerals, and vitamins. You can add in anything you like because this casserole is basically just a chicken and broccoli dinner in one container. So get creative!
Other additions to use
- Potatoes – Add cooked, diced potatoes in place of the pasta.
- Rice – Use rice instead of pasta for a delicious chicken broccoli rice casserole the family will enjoy too!
What Goes Good with Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole?
A side salad and garlic cheese toast is always a favorite at our house. A side of corn, green beans or your favorite vegetable pairs nicely with this recipe as well. This is such a hearty casserole recipe that it can stand alone on the dinner table.
Serving Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole
All you need to serve this delicious dish is a plate and a fork! It’s an all-in-one meal, so the only thing I might recommend adding is a salad. The real thing to remember is where to serve this casserole. The answer to that is everywhere! This is perfect for a weeknight meal because it’s so easy to put together. That same ease makes it the perfect, stress-free dish to bring to any potluck, especially if you’re pressed for time and need a last minute option.
How To Store Leftovers
You can store this cheesy chicken broccoli casserole in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage, you can freeze this casserole in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to three months.
Give This Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole a Try
This cheesy chicken broccoli casserole is the perfect dish for an easy weeknight meal or as an addition to any potluck or get-together. It’s so easy to make and so full of flavor, there’s no reason not to try is. Give this one a whirl, and I know you’ll enjoy it as much as my family and friends do. In fact, you’ll probably find that it becomes a dish that’s heavily in your recipe rotation.
Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole Ingredients
- Chicken Breast, cooked, diced (or can use rotisserie chicken)
- Olive oil or butter
- Slap Ya Mama
- Garlic Salt
- Pepper
- Onion
- Garlic
- Flour
- Mushrooms
- Chicken Broth
- Milk
- Mustard
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Fresh broccoli Florets
- Rigatoni Pasta
How to Make Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1 – Preheat oven to 400° and spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2 – In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Add broccoli and boil for an additional 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Step 3 – In a large saucepan or skillet, heat butter or oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3-5 minutes or until onions become translucent. Add in garlic and mushrooms and cook for and additional 4-5 minutes. Stir frequently.
Step 4 – Sprinkle flour over onions and mushroom mixture. Stir for approximately 1-2 minutes.
Step 5 – Add chicken broth, stir until combined, then pour milk, mustard, salt, pepper, Slap Ya Mama. Stir until fully combined.
Step 6 – Continue cooking until it reaches simmer the remove from heat. sprinkle with 1½ cups of shredded cheese. Stir.
Step 7 – Add pasta, broccoli, and chicken to sauce, stir to combine the add to prepared baking dish.
Step 8 – Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil, top with remaining cheese, and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 9 – To serve, add a serving to a bowl, top with sour cream and sliced green onions, if desired.
More Favorite Casserole Recipes To Try
Also, try this delicious Crockpot Chicken Broccoli and Rice from Deliciously Seasoned.
Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts, cooked, diced (can use rotisserie chicken)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 8 ounce cremini mushrooms, sliced thin
- 1¼ cups chicken broth
- 1¼ cups milk
- 1 teaspoon yellow or Dijon mustard
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 12 ounce bag broccoli florets
- 16 ounce box rigatoni pasta, al dente
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° and spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Add broccoli to water and boil for an additional 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pan, heat oil or butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3-5 minutes or until onions become translucent. Add garlic and mushrooms and cook for and additional 4-5 minutes. Stir frequently.
- Sprinkle flour over onions and mushrooms. Stir for approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Add chicken broth, stirring constantly until combined, then add milk, mustard, Slap Ya Mama, garlic salt, pepper. Stir until fully combined.
- Continue cooking until it reaches a simmer the remove from heat. sprinkle with 1½ cups of shredded cheese. Stir.
- Add pasta, broccoli, and cooked chicken, stir to combine the place in prepared baking dish.
- Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil, top with remaining cheese, and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
Nutrition
Here are a few pics that are the perfect size for pinning to your favorite Pinterest boards.
Is that fresh broccoli?
Hi Sadie, yes it is. I hope you enjoy this recipe. :)
Hello,
What exactly is ‘Slap Yo Mama’??
Recipe looks delicious. Hoping to make this weekend.
Hi Anna-Maria, it is a delicious Cajun seasoning that is not too spicy, has lots of flavor and is my favorite seasoning. The ingredients are salt, red Pepper, black Pepper, garlic. :)
Never heard of Slap ya Mama! What is it?
Hi Flora, it’s a Cajun spice and you can find it at Walmart and most groceries stores. It’s my absolute favorite seasoning. :)