Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Casserole is so simple to make even on the busiest of nights. You family will love this casserole for the taste, you will love it for the simplicity!
Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Casserole only has a few ingredients. What is really great is they are mostly items you can find in your pantry or in your fridge.
Gotta love that, wouldn't you say??
As I have mentioned before, I live with a family of meatatarians. (As with this ever popular Hamburger Casserole recipe.)
The combination of the pasta shells, soup and chicken, topped with melted shredded cheese is warm and comforting. This casserole recipe can even be adapted to your family's specific tastes!
Ingredients
- diced chicken - cooked diced chicken
- pasta shells - any type of pasta will work, but I prefer the shells with this recipe. The pasta will be cooked to al dente before putting it in the casserole
- cheddar cheese - a Colby cheese would work too
- broccoli - fresh or frozen
- cream of chicken soup - from the can
- milk - or water
- butter - melted
This casserole has all the yummy ingredients you would want such as chicken, broccoli, cheddar cheese, pasta shells, cream of chicken soup. I also add milk but if your family is allergic, I would add water instead.
How to make cheesy broccoli cheesy casserole
To make this casserole, cook and drain the pasta. Then mix the cooked chicken, pasta, broccoli and soup in a large bowl. Then spread on the bottom of a greased 9x13 casserole dish.
Bake
Sprinkle the cheese on top. If you want to be a little more generous with the cheese, no harm in that!
This chicken casserole bakes up in about 30 minutes in a 375 degree oven. I like to cover it with foil for the first 20 minutes, then take the foil off and cook for the remaining 10 minutes.
How can I cook chicken ahead of time?
I like having already cooked and cut up chicken in the freezer so making meals like this is quick and simple. This Chicken Noodle Casserole and Chicken Parmesan Roll Ups also uses cooked chicken.
After buying chicken breasts, immediately put them in the crock pot on high for 4-5 hours or until the juices run clear and the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
Then, let the chicken cool for about 15 minutes and cut up as desired. Place in a freezer bag or airtight freezer container. The chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months. Make sure to mark the bag with the date so you know when it was cooked.
FAQ & Tips
I don't recommend it. If you can't have milk (like I can't), just replace the milk for water.
Yes! The chicken does need to be fully cooked when it is placed in the casserole. I like to have chicken already cooked and in the freezer for future recipes. It makes prepping meals like this so much quicker and easier.
You can place any leftovers in an airtight container and place in the fridge. Be sure to eat any leftovers up within 48 hours. Chicken shouldn't be left in the fridge longer than 48 hours.
📖 Recipe
Easy Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Casserole
Print PinIngredients
- 1 lb pasta shells
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 ½ cups cooked chicken cubed or shredded
- 1 cup broccoli chopped, fresh or frozen
- ½ cup milk or water
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine
Instructions
- Grease 9x13 baking dish and preheat oven to 375*
- Cook pasta shells according to package directions. Drain
- Combine pasta shells, cream of chicken soup, cooked chicken, broccoli, milk, melted butter and ½ cup cheese in a greased 9x13 baking dish
- Sprinkle with remaining cheese and cover with foil
- Place in a 375* oven and bake for 30 minutes
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Serve
Nutrition
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Kathi
Kim,
When is it best to freeze this casserole? Before or after it’s baked?
Kim
Either will work. To freeze before it is baked, cover with plastic wrap and foil and freeze. It will take longer to bake if frozen. (Be sure to remove the plastic wrap, but keep it covered with foil.) To freeze after it has been baked, cover with plastic wrap and foil. Reheat when ready.
Erin
Couple of questions…
1. The 1.5 cups of chopped chicken equals approximately how many chicken breasts to set out to thaw?
2. Does the fresh broccoli need to be cooked prior to mixing in to bake the dish?
Thank you!
Kim
The chicken amount is extremely forgiving, so it really is up to you how much you put in. Personally, we like a little more meat in our meals, so 2 cooked chicken breasts would be perfect for us.
No, the broccoli can be added in without being cooked first. I hope that helps!
TinkerBell
The recipe never mentions adding the broccoli. And why is there a picture of chicken stock in the picture of the finished dish? There is no chicken stock in the ingredient list.
Kim
The broccoli is in the ingredient list, but was omitted from the instructions. Thanks for the heads up! It is fixed now. As far as the chicken stock, there isn't any in the recipe. The wrong picture got pulled and that isn't this recipe. I put the correct picture in. It might have been a recipe card error (or my own!).
Kay
This was EXTREMELY dry. Will not be making this again
Kim
I have been making this recipe for years and it is never dry. I would be happy to help you trouble shoot if you want!