Modified: May 7, 2025 · Published: Sep 5, 2023 by LaKita · This post may contain affiliate links.

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole (Easy & Freezer-Friendly)

Creamy, cheesy, and cozy. This Chicken and Broccoli Casserole is a weeknight classic that comes together fast and satisfies every time. Made with tender chicken, frozen broccoli, and a creamy sauce, it's perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or gifting as a freezer meal for new parents or friends in recovery.

If you're craving more broccoli-packed meals, try this One Pot Broccoli Mac and Cheese or Oven Roasted Broccoli. Want more casseroles? Check out Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta, a reader favorite!

Before You Bake, Read This!

💬 The Vibe: Creamy and melty with classic casserole nostalgia, just like mom used to make (but easier).

🔑 What You Gotta Know: Use pre-cooked chicken and thawed or steamed broccoli to avoid soggy results. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving to set.

🍴 Best Bite Alert: Scoop it hot from the pan over warm rice or noodles with a side of buttered cornbread!

overhead view of finished casserole in glass baking dish

Why You'll Love It

Quick & Easy: Minimal prep using simple, store-bought shortcuts.
Great for Gifting or Meal Prep: Freezer-friendly and easy to reheat.
Comfort in Every Bite: Creamy, cheesy, hearty, everything you want in a casserole.

Ingredients You'll Need

overhead view of ingredients needed to make casserole in separate bowls on marble surface

Chicken Breasts - Boneless, skinless, diced into bite-sized pieces. Thighs or tenderloins also work.
Broccoli Florets - Frozen is affordable and convenient. Fresh can be used if steamed first.
Cream of Chicken Soup - Or substitute with cream of mushroom, celery, or homemade cream soup.
Mayonnaise - Adds richness and binds everything together.
Cheddar Cheese - Shredded, feel free to swap with mozzarella, Colby-Jack, or a blend.

👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.

How to Make Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Cook the Chicken: Season and cook the chicken, then dice into bite-sized pieces.

overhead view of cooked and cut up chicken in white bowl on marble surface

Prepare the Broccoli: Steam frozen broccoli in a saucepan or microwave until just tender.

Make the Sauce: Stir together cream soup and mayo in a bowl. Mix in the cooked chicken.

chicken, soup, and mayo combined in glass mixing bowl

Assemble the Casserole: Spread the chicken mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with broccoli, then shredded cheese.

chicken mixture added to glass casserole dish

broccoli added to chicken mixture in glass casserole dish

Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F and bake for 20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.

shredded cheese added to casserole with other ingredients in glass baking dish

Serve: Spoon over rice or egg noodles and enjoy!

small bowl of chicken and broccoli casserole with rice beside a fork

Tips & Tricks

Dice chicken evenly for faster cooking and consistent texture.
Use a microwaveable bag of broccoli for fewer dishes.
Boost flavor with garlic powder, red pepper flakes, or parmesan.
Want a homemade version? Use Greek yogurt or sour cream instead of mayo.

Variations

Use rotisserie chicken or leftovers to save time.
Swap chicken with ham or ground turkey.
Add other veggies like cauliflower or carrots.
Try a mix of cheeses for different flavor profiles.

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Storage & Freezer Tips

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in microwave or oven (covered) to prevent drying out.

Freeze Leftovers: Cool completely, then freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen or thaw overnight.

Make as Freezer Meal: Assemble casserole but don’t bake. Cover tightly and freeze up to 4 months. To cook, bake covered at 350°F for 1 hour, then uncover and finish baking until hot and bubbly.

close up view of finished casserole in glass baking dish with a scoop taken out of it

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to use fresh or frozen broccoli in a casserole?

Either works! Frozen is convenient and just as nutritious, just thaw or steam first.

Can you put raw chicken in a casserole?

For this recipe, pre-cooked chicken is best. Raw chicken requires longer cooking and can lead to uneven doneness.

What goes with cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole?

Serve it with rice, noodles, biscuits, or a side salad for a full meal.

Should you thaw the frozen broccoli before using?

Yes, steam or microwave it first so the casserole doesn’t get watery.

front view of finished casserole in glass dish with some taken out of it

More Recipes You'll Love

Have any questions or your own twist on this casserole? Drop a comment below, I’d love to hear it!

📖 Recipe

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

LaKita Anderson

This Chicken and Broccoli Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and comforting. Perfect for a quick dinner, freezer meal, or make-ahead dish everyone will love!

4.85 from 38 votes

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Video

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 315 kcal

Equipment

1 Rectangle 9x13-inch baking dish

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
12 ounces frozen broccoli florets
1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

Prepare 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast first. Season the raw chicken with ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Cook the chicken (using oil as needed) in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Allow it to cool before cutting it into small pieces. Set aside.
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the 12 ounces of frozen broccoli and allow it to cook until no longer frozen, about 5 minutes. You may also use the microwave for faster results if you prefer.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the 1 can (10.5 ounces) of cream of chicken soup and 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise until combined.
Add the prepared chicken to the soup mixture and stir to combine. Grab a 9x13-inch rectangle baking dish and lightly spray with cooking spray before spreading the chicken mixture at the bottom in an even layer.
Top the chicken mixture with the prepared broccoli and spread in an even layer.
Add the 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese on top in an even layer and place into the oven to bake for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese has completely melted and is bubbly and lightly golden.
Carefully remove the chicken casserole from the oven and serve warm with cooked rice or egg noodles. Enjoy!

Notes

Make sure to dice up the chicken into bite-size pieces. They will cook evenly and at the same time, but will also be nice when eating the casserole.
You can use fresh broccoli if you would like. Just make sure to steam it first to better help break down the broccoli and make it a nice addition to the casserole.
You can easily make homemade cream soup if you would prefer to stay away from the canned versions.
For a shortcut option, try using diced rotisserie chicken.
Try swapping the chicken with some diced ham instead for a nice twist of flavor.
Add in other vegetables like carrots and cauliflower, to add more nutrient-rich foods to the casserole.
You can use plain Greek yogurt or even sour cream in place of the mayonnaise in the recipe if you would like.

Calories: 315kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 26gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 790mgPotassium: 511mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 757IUVitamin C: 52mgCalcium: 238mgIron: 1mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.