{"id":40349,"date":"2021-09-25T12:28:28","date_gmt":"2021-09-25T17:28:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greatgrubdelicioustreats.com\/?p=40349"},"modified":"2022-12-13T14:52:30","modified_gmt":"2022-12-13T20:52:30","slug":"easy-cheesy-chicken-and-broccoli-casserole","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greatgrubdelicioustreats.com\/easy-cheesy-chicken-and-broccoli-casserole\/","title":{"rendered":"Easy Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole is filled with delicious, tender white meat chicken, perfectly cooked broccoli, tender pasta, and of course, loads of cheese. It’s the perfect family meal or addition to any potluck, and it’s always cheese-tacular. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know that casseroles are my jam. I love making them. They’re just so easy and so full of flavor and are the perfect comfort food. What other dishes can combine so many flavors into recipes that are just ridiculously easy. The answer is not many. When I was younger, I made casseroles so I could eat leftovers for a couple of days. Later, after I became a mom, I made them because I could feed a literal army with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These days, I make casseroles like this cheesy chicken broccoli casserole because I always have something on hand when I’m busy with the blog or if my kids happen to stop by – which is often. I also love making them for potlucks and holiday get-togethers. I guess casseroles are always a great option for any occasion, which is really what it boils down to. One of my favorite casseroles is this chicken and broccoli number, and I’m so happy to share it with all of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This cheesy chicken broccoli casserole is everything all of us have ever loved in a casserole. It’s filled with simple ingredients that come together so easily, and when they combine, they produce an absolute truckload of flavor. This recipe is easy. It’s super easy. BUT it doesn’t taste easy. It’s loaded with flavor, and it’s all so rich and creamy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This casserole features a combination of tender chicken, perfectly cooked broccoli, al-dente pasta, mushrooms, flavorful spices, and just so much cheese. It’s a complete meal in and of itself, which makes it the perfect weeknight meal for busy families. Also, it is an excellent dish to bring to any potluck or get-together. It’s a super versatile dish that everyone always loves, which always makes it the perfect choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This recipe is so ridiculously simple, there aren’t many tips to be had for it. It’s not involved, it doesn’t have a lot of ingredients, and there aren’t a lot of steps. That being said, I do have a few things to remember to ensure that your cheesy chicken broccoli casserole is as absolutely delicious as it can possibly be. These are simple tips that make a big difference, so be sure not to skip them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al Dente Pasta<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Be sure you cook your pasta until al dente and only al dente. That might seem a little firm to some people, but this dish will be baked in the oven, which will further cook the pasta. If you start out with soft pasta, you’ll end up with a messy casserole full of mushy noodles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finely Chopped Onions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When chopping your onions for this dish, keep the chops small. The onions are meant to be about their flavor, not the texture of chewing them. Finely chopped onions will deliver an excellent flavor without a chunky onion texture that some people might not enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Variations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like any casserole, it’s easy to change up this chicken broccoli casserole. All it takes are a few simple tweaks to make it the tastiest version for your family or to simply make it feel fresh again after eating it the same way over and over – which I’m certain you will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different Pasta<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I like to use rigatoni for this casserole, but you can use any short noodle that you like or have on hand. I don’t recommend using spaghetti, fettuccini, or similar pastas, as they will simply clump up when you try to eat the dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different Meat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chicken is perfect in this dish, but you could also use leftover turkey, beef, or even pork. Any of those work well with the vegetables and cheese in this dish. It’s a great way to use up your leftover meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different Cheese<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can drastically change the feel of this cheesy chicken broccoli casserole by changing the kind of cheese you use. Rather than sharp cheddar cheese, you can opt for almost any shredded cheese you enjoy. Yellow or white – they all work well. For example, mozzarella is an excellent option. For a southwest feel, try a Mexican or taco blend. The sky’s the limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veggies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This recipe calls for mushrooms and broccoli, but if you’re a veggie lover, feel free to add anything. Really pile it on. It’s a great way to get in extra fiber, minerals, and vitamins. You can add in anything you like because this casserole is basically just a chicken and broccoli dinner in one container. So get creative!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other additions to use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n