Creamy, cheesy, and cozy. This Chicken and Broccoli Casserole recipe is the ultimate comfort food. Made with tender chunks of chicken, melty cheese, and broccoli tucked into a rich, savory sauce, it's the kind of easy weeknight dinner that brings everyone to the table.
Updated July 31, 2026: I've refreshed this post with new tips, expanded FAQs, and helpful make-ahead instructions based on your questions and feedback. Same delicious recipe, even more helpful! Originally posted July 2013 and photos updated on July 1, 2025.
Watch this quick video tutorial!
Here's what readers have to say about this recipe:
Reader Kate, commented: "My chicken and broccoli casserole turned out so delicious! You just made my weeknight dinners better! ★★★★★"
Another reader Alexi, commented: "I meal prepped this recipe for my family this week and it turned out very delicious. I love how easy it was to make and very convenient for busy weeknights. My toddler crushed it so it's definitely family friendly as well. ★★★★★"
Chicken and broccoli casserole is the dinner I reach for when the week gets away from me and I still want everyone gathered around the table. I've been making this one since 2013, back when it was one of the very first recipes I ever shared on this blog, and it's still the dish my family requests when the weather turns cool. There's just something about tender chicken and broccoli tucked under a blanket of melted cheddar that makes the whole house smell like comfort.
Over the years I've made this casserole more times than I can count. For weeknight dinners, potlucks, and freezer meals dropped off to friends and new mamas. Along the way I've tested every shortcut and substitution you can think of, and this post has been updated with everything I've learned, plus answers to the questions y'all ask most in the comments.
The secret to the silky sauce is a few tablespoons of mayonnaise stirred into cream of chicken soup. It's an old Southern trick that keeps the casserole rich and creamy without getting heavy. Grab your baking dish and let's get started!
Jump to:
- Watch this quick video tutorial!
- Why You'll Love This Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
- Ingredients You'll Need
- How to Make Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
- LaKita's Expert Tips
- Variations & Substitutions
- Make-Ahead & Storage
- What to Serve with Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 📖 Recipe
- Did You Make This Recipe?
Why You'll Love This Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
- Quick to Prepare - With pre-cooked chicken and just 5 main ingredients, dinner is in the oven in about 15 minutes.
- The Creamiest Sauce - A little mayonnaise whisked into the soup keeps every bite silky and rich, never gluey.
- Versatile - Serve it on its own, over rice or noodles, at a potluck, or stash one in the freezer for later.
- Family-Approved Comfort - Cheesy, cozy, and mild enough that even the pickiest little eaters clean their plates.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's everything you'll need to make this recipe.
- Chicken Breasts - Boneless, skinless breasts diced small for even bites. Thighs work too, and rotisserie chicken is my favorite shortcut on busy nights. Here's how I make Cast Iron Chicken Breast if you want to cook it fresh.
- Broccoli Florets - Frozen or fresh both work beautifully. Just steam or thaw first so the casserole doesn't turn watery.
- Cream of Chicken Soup - The savory base of the sauce. Cream of mushroom is an easy swap.
- Mayonnaise - This is the ingredient that makes my version special. Just a few tablespoons adds richness and keeps the sauce smooth and silky as it bakes. Sour cream or Greek yogurt also work if you prefer a tangier flavor.
- Cheddar Cheese - Sharp cheddar for bold flavor. Shred it yourself if you can, it melts smoother than pre-shredded.
👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.
How to Make Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Here's a quick overview of the process. Full step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Cook and Dice the Chicken
Season the chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then cook it in a skillet over medium-high heat until done. Let it cool before dicing, warm chicken shreds instead of cutting cleanly. Small, even pieces mean every forkful gets chicken, broccoli, and cheese together.
Step 2: Thaw the Broccoli
Warm frozen broccoli in a saucepan or microwave just until it's no longer frozen, you're not cooking it through. The broccoli finishes in the oven, and starting it barely tender is what keeps it bright green instead of mushy.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce
Stir the cream of chicken soup and mayonnaise together until completely smooth, then fold in the chicken. Take a few extra seconds here. A fully blended sauce is what coats every piece evenly and bakes up silky instead of streaky.
Step 4: Layer the Casserole
Spread the chicken mixture in a greased 9x13-inch dish, top with the broccoli in an even layer, then finish with cheddar edge to edge. Layering (instead of mixing everything together) keeps the broccoli from sinking and gives you that gorgeous golden cheese top.
Step 5: Bake Until Bubbly
Bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly at the edges, and lightly golden. Since everything going in is already cooked, you're really just heating it through and melting that cheese. Don't overbake or the sauce will tighten up.
LaKita's Expert Tips
Here are my best tips for making this recipe turn out perfectly every time.
- Let it rest 5 minutes before serving. The sauce thickens as it sits, so each scoop holds together instead of running.
- Pat the broccoli dry after thawing or steaming. Extra water is the number one cause of a runny casserole.
- Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheddar is coated in anti-caking starch that can make the top grainy instead of glossy.
- Don't skip the mayo, and don't worry, you can't taste it. It melts into the soup and simply makes everything creamier. If you've been skeptical, this is the recipe that will convert you.
- Doubling for a crowd? Use two 9x13 dishes rather than one deep dish so the center heats through in the same bake time.
- For a golden-brown top, slide the finished casserole under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, watch it closely.
- Rotisserie shortcut: one average rotisserie chicken yields right around the amount of cooked chicken this recipe needs.
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Variations & Substitutions
This recipe is flexible, here are some easy ways to make it your own.
- Crunchy topping - Scatter crushed buttery crackers or panko tossed with a little melted butter over the cheese for the last 10 to 15 minutes of baking.
- Swap the protein - Cooked ham, shredded turkey, or ground turkey all work in place of chicken (great for Thanksgiving leftovers).
- More veggies - Mix in steamed cauliflower, peas, or shredded carrots for extra color and nutrition.
- Change the cheese - Colby-Jack melts beautifully. Mozzarella gives you those cheese pulls; a little Parmesan adds a salty edge.
- Tangier sauce - Use sour cream or Greek yogurt in place of the mayonnaise.
- A little heat - A pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce in the sauce wakes everything up without making it spicy.
Make-Ahead & Storage
Make-Ahead
Assemble the entire casserole (unbaked), cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking. You can also freeze the unbaked casserole in a foil pan for up to 3 months, it's one of my favorite meals to gift. If baking straight from the fridge, add about 5 to 10 extra minutes.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze fully cooked portions for up to 3 months. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through. The foil keeps the moisture in so the chicken doesn't dry out. The microwave works for single portions. To bake an unbaked casserole from frozen, bake covered at 350°F for 45 to 60 minutes, then uncover and bake until bubbly.
What to Serve with Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Here are some of my favorite ways to serve this dish.
- Spoon it over fluffy rice - Try it with Instant Pot Brown Rice.
- Serve with a skillet of Southern Cornbread to soak up every bit of the sauce.
- Add warm, buttery Old-Fashioned Yeast Rolls for a Sunday-dinner feel.
- Balance the richness with a pot of Southern Collard Greens or a crisp garden salad.
- Ladle it over egg noodles or baked potatoes for the coziest weeknight plate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both work great. Frozen broccoli just needs to be thawed, and fresh broccoli should be steamed briefly until barely tender. Either way, make sure it's not waterlogged before it goes in the dish. That's what keeps the casserole from turning soggy.
Mayonnaise is the old Southern secret to a silky casserole sauce. It melts into the cream of chicken soup and adds richness and body, so the sauce bakes up smooth and creamy instead of thick and pasty. You can't taste it in the finished dish, it just makes everything better.
Not for this version. The bake time is only 20 to 25 minutes. Just enough to melt the cheese and heat everything through, which isn't long enough to safely cook raw chicken. Cook the chicken first, or use rotisserie or leftover chicken.
This recipe is intentionally made without rice, which makes it lower-carb and keeps the sauce extra creamy. If you'd like a rice version, serve it over cooked rice, or check out my Chicken and Rice Casserole, which is built for rice from the start.
Yes! Assemble it unbaked, cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 days, or freeze it unbaked for up to 3 months. It's a lifesaver for busy weeks and one of my go-to freezer meals for gifting.
Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt are the best swaps, in the same amount. Both give the sauce a slightly tangier flavor while keeping it creamy.
Almost always, it's water hiding in the broccoli. Thaw or steam it first and pat it dry before layering. Letting the baked casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving also gives the sauce time to set.
Sharp cheddar is my pick for bold flavor, but Colby-Jack, mild cheddar, and mozzarella all melt beautifully. Whatever you choose, shredding it yourself gives you the smoothest, glossiest melt.
Absolutely, it's a one-for-one swap with a slightly earthier flavor. If you prefer to skip canned soup altogether, a homemade condensed cream soup (a simple butter, flour, and broth mixture) works in the same amount.
Double every ingredient and divide it between two 9x13-inch baking dishes rather than piling it into one deep dish. Two shallow casseroles heat through evenly in the same 20 to 25 minutes.
📖 Recipe
Chicken and Broccoli Casserole Recipe
Video
Equipment
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 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!
Did You Make This Recipe?
If you give this chicken and broccoli casserole a try, I'd love to know what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating below, share a photo on Instagram and tag @SimplyLaKita, or save it on Pinterest for later. And if you have a question I didn't answer here, drop it in the comments. I read every single one.
Looking for more comfort food with soul? Try my Hashbrown Casserole Recipe next.
Greg Gannaway says
I like meal receipts such as stews, etc. I have ordered a 4gal. Skillet with a lid. It will be here Friday. The first receipt of yours that I will make is the chicken thighs, carrots & potatoes. I wondered if there is a way to make it all in one where it would cook in some gravy or sauce.
LaKita says
Thank you so much! It shouldn't be a problem to add a sauce of gravy in at the same time as the other ingredients. Also congrats on your new skillet 🙂
Jazz says
This casserole reminded me of home! And surprisingly simple to make, which was very much appreciated. Thank you!
LaKita says
Awesome! Thank you so much Jazz!!
Kate says
My chicken and broccoli casserole turned out so delicious! You just made my weeknight dinners better!
LaKita says
Thank you Kate! Glad to hear that you enjoyed the casserole recipe!
Alexi says
I meal prepped this recipe for my family this week and it turned out very delicious. I love how easy it was to make and very convenient for busy weeknights. My toddler crushed it so it’s definitely family friendly as well.
LaKita says
Thank you Alexi! I'm happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed the casserole recipe 🙂
Veronika says
Loved this casserole! Such an easy dinner! Using frozen broccoli saved a lot of time. Cutting up raw broccoli always ends up being so messy.
LaKita says
Thank you so much Veronika!!
CJ Leigh says
Thank you for sharing this fantastic recipe! It was scrumptious!
LaKita says
Thank you, I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed the casserole recipe 🙂
Veronika says
Made this recipe yesterday and it came out amazing! So easy to prep and great flavor!
LaKita says
Thank you Veronika, happy to hear the recipe came out amazing for you 🙂
Jacqueline Debono says
I served this chicken and broccoli cassserole with mashed potatoes for lunch today. Everybody loved it and it was so easy to make.
LaKita says
Thank you Jacqueline and mashed potatoes sound like another great pairing option!!!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Such a classic comforting recipe! So easy yet full of so much flavor! We loved it!
LaKita says
Thank you so much Lori, happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe!
Leslie says
This is a fantastic recipe! I also love your idea of pairing this with rice or noodles! YUM!!
LaKita says
Thank you Leslie! It definitely pairs well with rice or noodles!
Hannah says
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for! My family just got done eating it. Served with egg noodles. And the table was so quiet other than the munching. Haha thank you! Also, can this be prepped and stored /frozen? Didn’t know about the soup and cheese. I would imagine it would be alright. TIA
LaKita says
Thank you Hannah! Glad to hear that you and your family enjoyed the recipe! It can definitely be prepped (unbaked) in advance and stored in the freezer for 1 to 3 months.
Pete says
This easy casserole was the perfect recipe to introduce our kids to broccoli! Creamy and cheesy, it was a winner!
LaKita says
Thank you Pete, I certainly agree, very kid friendly!
Amanda Mason says
I've never made a broccoli casserole without noodles or rice! This is a great Keto recipe, perfect for dinner any night of the week! It was so good!
LaKita says
Thank you Amanda! This recipe certainly can be served alone or with whatever carb you prefer 🙂
Heather says
Super easy and delicious! Do you think this would work with adding in some cooked rice or orzo? Might try that next time… overall super tasty!
LaKita says
Thank you Heather! Yes, it should definitely work with parboiled rice or orzo.
Tina says
I was just wondering why I wouldn't be able to add fully cooked rice or noodles what would happen? Thanks
LaKita says
Hi Tina! I haven't tried adding cooked rice or noodles to this casserole recipe, so I can't guarantee if it will work or not.
Amanda says
We just loved how this casserole turned out! It was nice and hearty, and I love how our whole dinner baked in one dish. Really made it convenient for a weeknight.
LaKita says
Thank you Amanda! Love a good casserole/one dish meal!
admin says
Awesome! It is so quick and easy to make...my family loves it each time I make it.
Stephanie says
This looks SO delicious I love chicken and broccoli! Im going to pin this to make later.