
Chicken and broccoli casserole is a rich and cheesy casserole with chicken and broccoli in a quick sauce. This tasty casserole is pure comfort food!

This Chicken and Broccoli Casserole is a creamy comfort food classic that’s perfect for busy weeknights or for a cozy family dinner.
This casserole is packed with chicken and broccoli in a creamy, cheesy sauce. It's topped with a buttery Ritz cracker topping for a bit of crunch.
This casserole is a crowd-pleaser that comes together in no time! I love that I can make this casserole the night before and have it ready to go into the oven. It's a lifesaver on busy nights.
I've included tips below to help you make the casserole ahead of time or freeze it so it can be ready for dinner when you are.
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Chicken: You can use shredded rotisserie chicken in place of the chicken breast. If using rotisserie chicken, skip steps 2-4.
- Cream of mushroom soup: Use another can of cream of chicken soup if preferred.
- Cream of chicken soup: You can make a homemade cream of chicken substitute with this recipe.
- Mayonnaise: Substitute with sour cream or Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor.
- Broccoli: To use fresh broccoli, steam or blanch fresh broccoli until slightly tender before adding it to the casserole.
- Ritz crackers: Swap with crushed cornflakes or panko breadcrumbs for a different texture.
- Cheddar cheese: Try sharp cheddar or Colby Jack for a twist.
How to make chicken and broccoli casserole
Here you'll find step-by-step photos showing how to make this recipe. The full recipe, including ingredients, is given below.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish. Set aside.
Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 3: Season chicken pieces with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.
Step 4: Once oil is hot, add chicken pieces without overcrowding, and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside.
Step 5: Microwave frozen broccoli according to package directions. Drain well to remove any excess moisture.
Step 6: In a large bowl, mix soups, mayonnaise, milk, and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.
Step 7: Fold in the cooked chicken and broccoli.
Step 8: Pour into prepared baking dish.
Step 9: In a small bowl, mix crushed crackers with melted butter until well combined.
Step 10: Sprinkle 1 cup of the remaining cheddar cheese over the casserole, and then top with the cracker mixture.
Step 11: Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until bubbly and top is golden brown.
Tips
- Make ahead: To make ahead, assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Remove from the fridge and let sit at room temperature while you preheat the oven. Add the cracker topping just before baking.
- To freeze: Cool completely, then cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Serving suggestions
Serve with with a fresh green salad, fruit salad, steamed or roasted vegetables and garlic bread or rolls to round out the meal.
Storage
Store any leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The casserole will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored in the fridge.
More chicken casserole recipes!
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Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Equipment
- 9x13 baking dish
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2-12.6 ounce bags frozen baby broccoli florets
- 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers about 1 sleeve
- ¼ cup butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish. Set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken pieces with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.
- Once oil is hot, add chicken pieces without overcrowding, and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside.
- Microwave frozen broccoli according to package directions. Drain well to remove any excess moisture.
- In a large bowl, mix soups, mayonnaise, milk, and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.
- Fold in the cooked chicken and broccoli.
- Pour into prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix crushed crackers with melted butter until well combined.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of the remaining cheddar cheese over the casserole, and then top with the cracker mixture.
- Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until bubbly and top is golden brown.
Notes
- Chicken: You can use shredded rotisserie chicken in place of the chicken breast. If using rotisserie chicken, skip steps 2-4.
- Cream of mushroom soup: Use another can of cream of chicken soup if preferred.
- Cream of chicken soup: You can make a homemade cream of chicken substitute with this recipe.
- Mayonnaise: Substitute with sour cream or Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor.
- Broccoli: To use fresh broccoli, steam or blanch fresh broccoli until slightly tender before adding it to the casserole.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Alexis
Is there anything I can use to substitute for the mayonnaise? I hate mayonnaise, miracle whip and sour cream. I'll try anything else though. Thanks 🙂
Kate Dean
Hi! Unfortunately, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt is the closest substitute for mayonnaise. You could try mixing softened cream cheese in for the sauce. It's thicker than mayo, so you would probably need to add a bit more milk, but it may work.
NC reams
Too many calories.
Kate Dean
Hi! The nutrition values are calculated using full-fat products. I listed a few changes that you could make to make it lighter, like using nonfat Greek yogurt in place of the mayonnaise. You could also use skim or 1% milk, use less cheese, and omit the cracker topping. I hope that helps!
Sharon Friedman
Easy to make and delicious. Feeds a crowd. Great dish!
Kate Dean
Thank you!
Katie Sheller
Can I add rice to this dish?
Kate Dean
Hi! Were you thinking of adding cooked or uncooked rice to the recipe?