This Baked Potato Chicken and Broccoli Casserole combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and creamy baked potatoes, all topped with a golden, cheesy crust. It’s a comforting, hearty dish that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or casual get-togethers. Easy to make and loaded with flavor, this casserole is sure to become a family favorite.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced

• 1 head broccoli, cut into florets

• 1 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)

• ½ cup milk (or skim milk)

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• Salt and pepper to taste

• ½ cup breadcrumbs

• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Directions

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Cook the potatoes: Boil the cubed potatoes in salted water for about 10 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside.

3. Blanch the broccoli: In the same pot, bring fresh water to a boil and blanch the broccoli florets for about 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.

4. Prepare the sauce: In a large bowl, mix together sour cream, milk, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.

5. Combine ingredients: Add the cooked potatoes, diced chicken, and blanched broccoli to the sauce. Stir gently to coat everything evenly. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

6. Add the topping: Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the casserole, then top with the breadcrumb mixture.

7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.

8. Serve: Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Value (per serving, based on 6 servings):

• Calories: 450 kcal

• Protein: 26g

• Fat: 19g

  • Saturated Fat: 9g

• Carbohydrates: 41g

  • Fiber: 4g

  • Sugar: 5g

• Sodium: 640mg

• Cholesterol: 60mg

These values are approximate and can vary depending on the specific ingredients and portions used.

Why Baked Potato Chicken and Broccoli Casserole Works

This casserole works so well because of its combination of comforting and fresh ingredients. The baked potato is a classic comfort food, and when combined with chicken and broccoli, it transforms into a meal that’s both filling and flavorful. The creamy sauce, made with sour cream or Greek yogurt, milk, and cheddar cheese, binds all the ingredients together and provides a rich and indulgent texture. The addition of garlic and onion powder enhances the savory flavors, while the breadcrumbs on top add a crispy, golden finish that balances the creamy interior.

What makes this casserole even more appealing is its versatility. It’s a great way to use up leftover chicken, and you can easily adjust the recipe to your preferences by swapping out ingredients or adding more vegetables. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner or bringing it to a potluck, this dish is sure to be a hit.

The Potatoes: A Comforting Base

The foundation of this casserole is the potatoes. Russet potatoes, with their starchy, fluffy texture, are perfect for this dish. After being boiled, they absorb the creamy sauce beautifully, adding a comforting, hearty element to the casserole. When combined with the chicken and broccoli, the potatoes form a satisfying base that makes the dish feel both filling and rich.

Peeling and cubing the potatoes before boiling ensures they cook evenly and absorb the flavors of the sauce. The potatoes should be tender but not overcooked, as they will finish cooking in the casserole. They should hold their shape but be soft enough to mix easily with the sauce.

The Chicken: Lean Protein for a Balanced Dish

The chicken in this casserole provides a lean source of protein that pairs perfectly with the creamy potatoes and broccoli. Using cooked, diced chicken breast adds both flavor and substance to the dish without overwhelming it. The chicken helps balance the richness of the cheese and sour cream while adding a savory depth that complements the other ingredients.

If you have leftover rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken from a previous meal, this is an excellent way to repurpose it, making this casserole an efficient and tasty choice for using up leftovers.

The Broccoli: Fresh and Nutritious

Broccoli adds a fresh, slightly crunchy texture to the casserole that contrasts beautifully with the creamy potatoes and melted cheese. Blanching the broccoli before adding it to the casserole ensures that it stays bright green and tender, without becoming too soft during baking. The slight crunch and natural bitterness of the broccoli complement the richness of the cheese and sour cream, creating a well-rounded flavor profile.

Broccoli is also packed with nutrients, adding a healthy and nutritious element to the dish. Its slight bitterness helps balance out the creamy richness of the other ingredients, making it a perfect addition to this casserole.

The Sauce: Creamy and Flavorful

The creamy sauce in this casserole is made from a combination of sour cream (or Greek yogurt), milk, and shredded cheddar cheese. The sour cream provides a tangy creaminess, while the cheddar cheese adds a rich, melty texture and a sharp flavor. The garlic powder and onion powder enhance the savory flavors, and the salt and pepper bring everything together, making the sauce flavorful and indulgent.

Stirring in the cooked potatoes, chicken, and broccoli ensures that every bite is coated in the creamy sauce, resulting in a comforting, velvety texture that makes this casserole so satisfying.

The Topping: Golden and Crispy

The topping of this casserole is what truly elevates it. The shredded cheddar cheese melts beautifully over the top of the casserole, creating a gooey, cheesy layer that’s irresistible. The breadcrumbs, mixed with melted butter, add a crunchy texture that contrasts with the creamy interior and adds a golden, crispy finish to the casserole.

Baking the casserole at 375°F (190°C) allows the cheese to melt and the breadcrumbs to crisp up perfectly, resulting in a beautifully golden top that adds both flavor and texture to the dish.

Baking the Casserole: Easy and Delicious

Baking the casserole is a simple process. After assembling the casserole with the creamy filling and topping, it’s baked in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and the top is golden brown. This final baking step ensures that all the ingredients meld together and that the casserole is thoroughly heated and bubbly.

Letting the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving allows it to set, making it easier to cut into neat portions and ensuring that the filling stays intact.

Serving Suggestions

Baked Potato Chicken and Broccoli Casserole is a meal in itself, but it can be paired with a variety of sides for a well-rounded dinner. For a lighter meal, serve it with a fresh green salad or some sautéed spinach. If you want to make it heartier, pair it with some garlic bread or roasted potatoes.

This casserole is also great for meal prepping, as it stores well in the fridge for a few days and can easily be reheated for lunch or dinner.

Nutritional Breakdown

Each serving of Baked Potato Chicken and Broccoli Casserole contains approximately 450 calories, which makes it a satisfying but not overly indulgent meal. The casserole is rich in protein, with 26g per serving, thanks to the chicken. The 19g of fat, including 9g of saturated fat, comes from the cheese and sour cream, providing a creamy, indulgent texture.

With 5g of carbohydrates and 2g of fiber, this dish is relatively low in carbs, making it suitable for those watching their carbohydrate intake. The sodium content is 640mg per serving, so it’s important to adjust the seasoning if you’re sensitive to salt. The dish is also relatively low in sugar (5g), making it a savory, balanced meal.

Conclusion: A Comforting, Flavorful Meal

In conclusion, Baked Potato Chicken and Broccoli Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish that combines the best flavors of home-cooked meals. With its creamy sauce, tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and golden, cheesy topping, it’s a satisfying dish that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or casual get-togethers. It’s easy to make, full of flavor, and can be customized to suit your tastes. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight meal or a special occasion, this casserole is sure to become a family favorite that everyone will love.