This creamy chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is a great dump and bake solution for a busy weeknight. Save time by doing the dishes while this delectable dinner bakes in the oven.
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Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped
- ½ cup celery, sliced
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 4 cups dry egg noodles, or other dry pasta
- 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk
- Optional: Parmesan cheese, or other cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Put broccoli and celery to a 9×13 casserole dish. Set aside.
- Cook chicken in a large skillet on medium heat until thoroughly cooked.
- While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add your noodles of choice and cook until they're almost al dente. Drain and remove from heat.
- Add the milk and condensed cream of chicken soup to the chicken skillet and mix well. Stir in the noodles, broccoli, and celery to this skillet as well. Mix until everything is coated with the sauce.
- Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Stir halfway through cooking time.
- Optional: Top with parmesan cheese. If you're using shredded cheese, you can also bake it for the last 5 minutes of the cooking time so it gets extra gooey.
Notes
Tips and Tricks: Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
During my research, I was amazed at how many tips and tricks I found for creating casseroles. I always find cooking and baking so incredible because a few simple swaps and tricks can make a world of difference.
Undercook the Pasta
You’ll want to cook the pasta just before it is al dente. Overcooking the pasta will result in a mushy final product.
Dry Your Veggies
Too much moisture could mean extra, unwanted liquids in your casserole.
If your vegetables are wet from washing, dry them with a paper towel. If you’re using frozen vegetables, thaw them in a colander before using them.
The Topper – The Showstopper!
Adding a crunchy topping can be a game changer. Try toasted breadcrumbs or crushed crackers for extra texture and flavour.
You can also add parmesan or shredded cheese as a delicious topping. I like to add the cheese in the last 5 minutes of the cook time and then bake it into ooey-gooey deliciousness.
Decide on a Baking Dish
Every baking dish has its pros and cons. Glass is a classic, and it’s usually what most people use. My personal favourite is a ceramic baking dish because it keeps the casserole hotter for longer. If you’re using ceramic, you will have to cook your dish a bit longer as ceramic takes longer to heat.
Freeze Leftover Portions
Casserole recipes are extremely freezer friendly. These are great to cook in advance and then reheat for a quick dinner.
For more information on freezing, check out my other handy dandy guide.
The Side Pieces for Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Most casserole recipes, in my opinion, are quite filling on their own. If you’d like to add some side dishes, here is a quick list of suggestions.
- Biscuits
- Brussel Sprouts (roasted)
- Buttery dinner rolls
- Cornbread
- Corn on the cob
- Garlic bread
- Salad (Cesar, garden, quinoa, etc.)
- Tomato soup
Chicken and Broccoli Casserole Substitutions (Vegetarian Options)
This recipe has great options for vegetarians. You can replace the condensed cream of chicken soup with either cream of broccoli soup or cream of mushroom soup. Switch out the chicken for mushrooms or another vegetable of your choosing.
For pasta substitutions, any dry noodles will work fine. You can also use gluten-free pasta.
You can also use any vegetables that you’d like as well. Casseroles are quite versatile. Try this recipe with peas, zucchini, or even green beans.
Other Casserole Variations
Once you get the hang of making casseroles, you’ll love how quick and easy they are. Casseroles are versatile, delicious, and can be thrown together with most things in your fridge or pantry.
Here’s a quick link with a formula that’ll ensure you have the perfect casserole every time.
Experiment with different flavours. I’d love to see what you come up with! Send me a photo and tell me about your creations.
Had to try this recipe when I saw pasta in it as well. Glad I did! I was not disappointed, it made a classic even better.
Super easy to make. And extremely delicious meal. And even taste great the next day. If there’s left overs. But with something this good there usually isn’t.