Cheesy Swiss Chicken & Broccoli Bake
This Cheesy Swiss Chicken & Broccoli Bake is a comforting and hearty dish that's perfect for busy nights or potluck gatherings. Originally inspired by my brother's cooking adventures, this recipe mixes tender chicken pieces with fresh broccoli, savory mushrooms, and a creamy Swiss cheese sauce, all enveloped in perfectly cooked egg noodles or penne pasta. It’s a one-pan wonder that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a group, this dish is both satisfying and easy to prepare, making it a staple in any home kitchen.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Butter
6 tablespoons (Melted)
Boneless skinless chicken breasts
3-4 (Cut into bite-sized pieces)
Onion
1 tablespoon (Minced)
Lemon juice
1 teaspoon (Freshly squeezed)
Sliced mushrooms
1 cup (Fresh)
Flour
3 tablespoons (All-purpose)
Milk
2 cups (Whole or low-fat)
Thyme
1/2 teaspoon (Dried)
Basil
1/4 teaspoon (Dried)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (Ground)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (To taste)
Swiss cheese
1 cup (Shredded, divided)
Broccoli
2 cups (Blanched for 2 minutes)
Egg noodles or penne pasta
4 cups (Cooked)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain well and lightly butter to prevent sticking. Set aside.
3
Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
4
In a large frying pan, melt 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add minced onion and chicken pieces, cooking until the chicken turns white on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
5
Sprinkle the chicken with lemon juice, then add sliced mushrooms. Continue to cook for another 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are tender. Remove the chicken and mushrooms from the pan and keep warm.
6
In the same pan, add flour to the remaining juices, stirring continuously for about 2 minutes.
7
Gradually whisk in the milk and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
8
Stir in thyme, basil, pepper, and half of the shredded Swiss cheese into the thickened sauce. Allow to simmer for another 5 minutes.
9
In the pot used to cook the pasta, add the creamy sauce and gently stir in the noodles until they are well coated.
10
Fold in the blanched broccoli, chicken, and mushrooms until evenly distributed throughout the pasta.
11
Transfer the mixture to a greased 2-quart baking pan and sprinkle the remaining Swiss cheese on top.
12
Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Swiss Chicken & Broccoli Bake?
It is a comforting and hearty one-pan casserole featuring tender chicken pieces, fresh broccoli, mushrooms, and egg noodles or penne pasta in a creamy Swiss cheese sauce.
What kind of pasta should I use for this recipe?
You can use either 4 cups of cooked egg noodles or penne pasta.
How many chicken breasts are needed?
The recipe calls for 3 to 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How do I prepare the chicken?
Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season them with salt and pepper before cooking.
What is the first step in making the sauce?
In a large frying pan, melt 6 tablespoons of butter and cook minced onion and chicken pieces until the chicken turns white.
How long do I cook the mushrooms?
Add sliced mushrooms to the pan and cook for another 6 minutes until they are tender.
Do I need to blanch the broccoli?
Yes, the recipe suggests using 2 cups of broccoli that has been blanched for 2 minutes.
How do I keep the pasta from sticking?
After draining the cooked pasta, lightly butter it to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
How much Swiss cheese is used in the recipe?
A total of 1 cup of shredded Swiss cheese is required, which is divided during the assembly.
What type of milk is recommended?
You can use 2 cups of either whole or low-fat milk for the sauce.
What spices and herbs are used for seasoning?
The sauce is seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon dried basil, and 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper.
How much flour is needed for the roux?
Use 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to thicken the remaining juices in the pan.
When do I add the cheese to the sauce?
Add half of the shredded Swiss cheese into the thickened sauce and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes.
What size baking pan is required?
A greased 2-quart baking pan is perfect for this casserole.
How long does the bake need to stay in the oven?
Bake the dish for 35 to 40 minutes.
Should I cover the pan while baking?
Yes, cover the baking pan with aluminum foil before putting it in the oven.
What is the indicator that the bake is done?
The dish is ready when the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
How much lemon juice is used?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Can I use fresh mushrooms?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 1 cup of fresh sliced mushrooms.
How much onion is needed?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of minced onion.
When do I add the broccoli to the dish?
Fold in the blanched broccoli, chicken, and mushrooms after the noodles have been coated in the creamy sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for a crowd?
Yes, it is described as a great dish for feeding a group or for potluck gatherings.
How long should I simmer the sauce after adding milk?
Simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes until it thickens.
How much butter is used in total?
6 tablespoons of butter are used for cooking the chicken and making the sauce, plus a little extra for the pasta.
How much salt is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of salt, or you can add it to taste.
Do I remove the chicken from the pan at any point?
Yes, once the chicken and mushrooms are tender, remove them from the pan and keep them warm while you make the sauce.
What kind of flour should I use?
Standard all-purpose flour works best for this recipe.
Can I use frozen broccoli?
While the recipe suggests blanched fresh broccoli, you can substitute frozen broccoli that has been thawed and drained.
Is this a one-pan meal?
Yes, once everything is combined and baked, it serves as a complete one-pan meal.