Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
This Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for family dinners. Combining tender shredded chicken (or canned tuna for a twist), creamy soup, and a medley of macaroni, broccoli, and seasonings, it melts together into a delicious, cheesy bake. With just a handful of ingredients, this casserole is simple to make and can easily become a weeknight favorite. Serve it up hot, and watch everyone come back for seconds!
4-6
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken breasts (or canned tuna)
1 (Cooked and shredded)
Cooked macaroni
2 1/2 cups (Fully cooked)
Cheddar cheese
1 cup (Shredded (reserve 1/3 for topping))
Cream of mushroom soup
3/4 of a 10.5 oz can (No preparation needed)
Cooked broccoli
3/4 cup (Cut into small pieces)
Celery ribs
2 (Sliced finely)
Diced onion
1/3 cup (Diced)
Garlic cloves
2 (Minced)
Oil
1 tablespoon (For sautéing)
Jhonny's seasoning salt
To taste (For seasoning)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts (or alternative) and cook until fully done, about 6-8 minutes per side.
3
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet, shredding it into bite-sized pieces with a spatula or fork.
4
In the same skillet, add the diced onion, minced garlic, and celery. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, 2/3 of the shredded cheese, cream of mushroom soup, cooked and chopped broccoli, and the sautéed chicken and vegetable mixture.
6
Season the mixture with Jhonny's seasoning salt or your preferred spices, stirring until everything is well combined.
7
Pour the mixture into a greased pie pan or a suitable baking dish.
8
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.
9
After 10 minutes, remove it from the oven, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, and return it to the oven for another 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
10
Once done, let it cool for a few minutes before serving, and enjoy your delicious cheesy casserole.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole?
It is a hearty, comforting dish combining tender shredded chicken or canned tuna with macaroni, broccoli, creamy soup, and cheese.
What are the main ingredients for this casserole?
The main ingredients include chicken breasts, cooked macaroni, cheddar cheese, cream of mushroom soup, and cooked broccoli.
Can I substitute the chicken with anything else?
Yes, you can use canned tuna as a twist instead of shredded chicken.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 4 to 6 servings.
What temperature should I preheat my oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How long does it take to cook the chicken breasts?
Cook the chicken in a skillet for about 6-8 minutes per side until fully done.
How should I prepare the chicken after cooking?
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and shred it into bite-sized pieces using a spatula or fork.
What vegetables are sautéed in this recipe?
Diced onion, minced garlic, and sliced celery are sautéed until the onion is translucent.
How much macaroni is needed?
The recipe requires 2 and 1/2 cups of fully cooked macaroni.
What type of cheese is recommended?
Cheddar cheese is recommended, specifically 1 cup, shredded.
How do I split the cheese during the cooking process?
Use 2/3 of the shredded cheese in the main mixture and reserve the remaining 1/3 for the topping.
What kind of soup is used in the mixture?
The recipe uses 3/4 of a 10.5 oz can of cream of mushroom soup.
How should the broccoli be prepared?
The broccoli should be cooked and cut into small pieces before being added to the mixture.
What seasoning is suggested for this dish?
Jhonny's seasoning salt is suggested, or you can use your preferred spices to taste.
What type of dish should I bake the casserole in?
You can use a greased pie pan or any suitable baking dish.
How long is the initial baking time?
Bake the casserole initially for 10 minutes.
When do I add the remaining cheese on top?
Remove the casserole after the first 10 minutes of baking, sprinkle the remaining cheese, and return it to the oven.
How much longer do I bake it after adding the topping cheese?
Bake it for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Should I let the casserole cool before serving?
Yes, let it cool for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven before serving.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe calls for 2 minced garlic cloves.
How much oil is used for sautéing?
Use 1 tablespoon of oil to sauté the chicken and vegetables.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is described as a simple recipe with just a handful of ingredients, perfect for a weeknight favorite.
What is the description of the casserole's texture?
It is described as a delicious, cheesy bake where all the ingredients melt together into a creamy dish.
How many celery ribs are needed?
The recipe requires 2 celery ribs, finely sliced.
Can I use a different type of soup?
While the recipe calls for cream of mushroom, you could likely experiment with other cream-based soups.
What is the total baking time?
The total baking time is 20 minutes (10 minutes before adding the topping and 10 minutes after).
How much onion should be used?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of diced onion.
Is the macaroni cooked before or during the baking?
The macaroni must be fully cooked before being mixed into the casserole ingredients.
What should I do if the cheese isn't bubbly after the second 10 minutes?
You can leave it in for an extra minute or two until it reaches a bubbly and golden consistency.
Is this a good meal for kids?
Yes, its cheesy, comforting nature makes it a popular choice for family dinners and kids.