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Creamy Chicken Broccoli Bake

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A comforting and creamy chicken broccoli casserole perfect for quick family dinners, featuring a rich sauce with cream cheese, sour cream, and melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 4 cups broccoli florets (fresh preferred)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
  • 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper and cook 6-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Remove and let rest 5 minutes, then shred or dice.
  3. Steam broccoli florets until just tender, about 4-5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  5. Whisk in flour and cook 1-2 minutes to form a roux, stirring constantly.
  6. Gradually whisk in milk and cook 4-5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  7. Lower heat and stir in cream cheese and sour cream until melted and combined. Add onion powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  8. In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, steamed broccoli, and creamy sauce. Stir in half of the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
  9. Pour mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Top evenly with remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Optionally broil 2-3 minutes for a crispier top, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  11. Let rest about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of milk to loosen. Do not overcook broccoli to keep a slight crunch. Resting the bake before serving helps flavors deepen. For a crunchy topping, sprinkle panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter before baking. Can be prepared ahead and refrigerated up to 24 hours before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken broccoli bake, chicken casserole, comfort food, family dinner, easy chicken bake, cheesy chicken broccoli

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/creamy-chicken-broccoli-bake-recipe-5-easy-steps-for-comforting-family-dinner/