Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole for the Freezer
This Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish that's perfect for meal prep. Packed with tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and a luscious, creamy sauce, this recipe is not only delicious but also freezer-friendly, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights. You'll love the blend of flavors and textures in each bite! Easy to prepare, this casserole can be made in advance and stored in the freezer, ready to be reheated whenever hunger strikes. Ideal for family dinners or potlucks, this dish serves up to 12 satisfying portions.
N/A
Servings
240
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
chopped fresh broccoli
6 cups (chopped)
cubed cooked chicken
6 cups (cooked and cubed)
condensed cream of chicken soup
3 (10 3/4 ounce) cans (canned)
mayonnaise
3/4 cup (none)
lemon juice
3 tablespoons (none)
grated cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups (grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Line two Corningware casseroles (2½ qt and 3 qt) with aluminum foil and lightly spray them with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3
In a large pot of boiling water, cook the chopped broccoli for about 2-3 minutes until bright green and tender, then immediately drain and set aside.
4
Distribute the cooked broccoli evenly in the bottom of each prepared baking dish.
5
Layer the cubed, cooked chicken evenly over the broccoli in both casseroles.
6
In a medium bowl, mix together the three cans of condensed cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, and lemon juice until well combined.
7
Spread the creamy mixture over the chicken layers in each casserole, ensuring an even coverage.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until bubbling.
9
After baking, allow the casseroles to cool for about 10 minutes, then carefully flash freeze them for 2-3 hours until solid.
10
Once frozen, remove the casseroles from the freezer, place them in freezer bags, label them, and pack with grated cheddar cheese in separate containers or bags.
11
Return the casseroles to the freezer for long-term storage.
12
To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then sprinkle the top with cheddar cheese and bake at 375°F (190°C) for an additional 10 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is melted.
Nutrition Information
14g
Fat
10g
Carbs
18g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole?
It is a comforting and hearty dish made with chicken, broccoli, and a creamy sauce, designed specifically to be freezer-friendly.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe serves up to 12 satisfying portions.
What are the primary ingredients?
The main ingredients are chopped fresh broccoli, cubed cooked chicken, condensed cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and grated cheddar cheese.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 240 calories.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 18 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 14 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 10 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How much broccoli do I need?
You will need 6 cups of chopped fresh broccoli.
Does the chicken need to be cooked before assembly?
Yes, the recipe requires 6 cups of cubed, cooked chicken.
How do I prepare the broccoli?
The broccoli should be cooked in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until bright green and tender, then drained.
What size baking dishes are used?
The recipe uses two Corningware casseroles, one 2.5 quart and one 3 quart.
How do I prevent the casserole from sticking to the dish?
Line the casseroles with aluminum foil and lightly spray them with cooking spray.
What goes into the creamy sauce?
The sauce is a mixture of three cans of condensed cream of chicken soup, 3/4 cup of mayonnaise, and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice.
How long is the initial baking time?
Bake the casseroles for 25 minutes or until they are bubbling.
What is the process for freezing the casserole?
After baking, cool for 10 minutes, flash freeze for 2-3 hours until solid, then transfer to freezer bags.
How should I store the cheese for the freezer?
Pack the grated cheddar cheese in separate containers or bags to be added later.
How do I reheat the frozen casserole?
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, sprinkle with cheese, and bake at 375°F for 10 minutes.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, it is an ideal choice for meal prep as it can be made in advance and stored in the freezer.
What kind of cheese is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1.5 cups of grated cheddar cheese.
How much mayonnaise is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of mayonnaise.
How much lemon juice is needed?
You will need 3 tablespoons of lemon juice.
What type of soup is required?
The recipe requires three 10.75-ounce cans of condensed cream of chicken soup.
Is this dish suitable for potlucks?
Yes, its large serving size and ease of preparation make it ideal for family dinners or potlucks.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
How long should the casseroles cool before flash freezing?
They should cool for approximately 10 minutes.
How long do you flash freeze the dishes?
Flash freeze the casseroles for 2 to 3 hours until they are solid.
Can I store this long-term?
Yes, once flash-frozen and bagged, they can be returned to the freezer for long-term storage.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include casserole, chicken, broccoli, freezer-friendly, meal prep, one dish meal, comfort food, and family dinner.
How do I know when the reheating is finished?
Reheating is done when the casserole is heated through and the cheese on top is melted.