Here's a timeless and comforting recipe that brings the wholesome goodness of grandma's kitchen right into your home. My Grandma's Chicken And Broccoli Bake recipe combines tender chicken, nutritious broccoli, and carrots in a creamy, cheesy sauce, topped with crispy breadcrumbs. Baked Chicken And Broccoli is a hearty dish that's perfect for family dinners or potluck gatherings.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Comforting Flavor: Grandma's Chicken and Broccoli Bake offers a comforting blend of cheesy goodness, tender chicken, and nutritious broccoli that tantalizes your taste buds with every bite.
- Family Recipe Heritage: This Grandma's Broccoli Cheese Chicken Bake carries the legacy of a cherished family recipe passed down through generations, adding a touch of nostalgia and love to your dining experience.
- Easy Preparation: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, Grandma's Broccoli Chicken Bake makes cooking a breeze, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family gatherings.
🥘 Ingredients
- Whole Chicken: Provides rich, tender protein that absorbs flavors well.
- Fresh Broccoli: Adds crunch and vitamins, offering a fresh contrast.
- Carrots: Sweeten and add color, softening nicely when cooked.
- Sour Cream: Creates a creamy, tangy sauce base.
- Lemon Juice: Brightens the dish with a touch of acidity.
- Chicken Soup: Enhances chicken flavor and helps bind the sauce.
- Breadcrumbs: Offer a crispy topping for texture contrast.
- Cheddar Cheese: Gives a gooey, flavorful finish and golden color.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Creamy Pesto Chicken Casserole: Creamy chicken, broccoli, and a pesto-laced combination of melted butter, pine nuts, and basil for a vibrant twist.
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole: Combine shredded rotisserie chicken with cooked rice, broccoli florets, and a creamy mushroom soup mixture seasoned with onion powder and garlic powder for a comforting twist on the classic bake.
- Buttery Chicken and Broccoli Casserole: Combine tender chicken breasts and broccoli all drenched in a luscious sauce crafted from rich melted butter, complemented by flavorful chicken broth and a touch of thyme for a truly indulgent experience.
🔪 How To Make grandma's chicken and broccoli bake?
Step One: Start by boiling the whole chicken for about 35 minutes until fully cooked. Once done, remove it from the pot, discard the bones, and shred the meat. Place the shredded chicken in your casserole dish. Chop the broccoli and carrots, and optionally add mushrooms. Mix these with the chicken. In a separate bowl, combine the chicken soup, sour cream, and lemon juice until well mixed.
Step Two: Grate a slice of bread for fresh breadcrumbs and grate the cheese. Pour the soup mix over the chicken and vegetables in the casserole dish, ensuring even coverage. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the sauce and top with grated cheese. Bake in a preheated oven for 25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, creating a crispy topping for your chicken casserole.
Step Three: Once the chicken broccoli casserole is baked to perfection, remove it from the oven. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.
Step Four: Scoop generous portions onto plates and enjoy this savory, cheesy Grandma's Chicken and Broccoli Bake with your favorite sides for a complete meal experience.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Season at Every Stage: Seasoning throughout the cooking process layers flavors. Add salt and other seasonings incrementally as you cook to develop a well-balanced dish.
- Taste as You Go: Regularly taste your dishes while cooking. Adjust seasoning and flavors as needed to achieve the perfect taste profile.
💭 FAQs
Yes, frozen broccoli can be used in place of fresh broccoli. Ensure you thaw and drain it thoroughly before adding it to the casserole to prevent excess moisture
You can assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. When ready to cook, bake it at the recommended temperature, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time to ensure it's heated through.
This hearty casserole pairs well with crusty bread, a fresh green salad, steamed vegetables like carrots or green beans, or roasted potatoes. These sides complement the creamy and savory flavors of the bake.
Yes, you can substitute the chicken with firm tofu or additional vegetables such as mushrooms or bell peppers to create a vegetarian-friendly casserole.
Place Grandma's Chicken and Broccoli bake in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to store them for a longer period, freezing is ideal. Wrap the baked chicken and broccoli individually or together in foil or freezer-safe bags. Make sure to remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When ready to consume, thaw frozen broccoli and chicken bake overnight in the refrigerator.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Pair Grandma's Chicken and Broccoli Bake With These:
- Fresh Garden Salad: A crisp and refreshing salad with a tangy vinaigrette dressing provides a light contrast to the richness of the cheesy chicken broccoli.
- Russian Tarragon Soda (Yoda Soda): Quench your thirst with the unique and refreshing flavors of Russian Tarragon Soda, also known as Yoda Soda, adding a touch of novelty to grandma's chicken and broccoli bake.
- Guacamole: Serve up some creamy and zesty guacamole alongside grandma's chicken and broccoli bake for a burst of fresh avocado goodness, balanced with tangy lime and flavorful spices.
- Quinoa Salad: A refreshing quinoa salad with diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and a lemon vinaigrette adds a light and nutritious element to grandma's chicken and broccoli bake.
- Warm Dinner Rolls with Herb Butter: Soft, warm dinner rolls slathered with herb-infused butter provide a comforting and indulgent addition to your dinner spread.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Grandma's Chicken And Broccoli Bake
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Chicken
- 1 Broccoli
- 3 medium Carrots
- 5 Tablespoons Sour Cream
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 can Chicken Soup
- 1 slice of bread made into Breadcrumbs
- 150 g grated Chedder Cheese
Instructions
- Begin by cooking the whole chicken in a pot of boiling water for about 35 minutes until fully cooked.
- After the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the pot, discard the bones, and shred the meat. Place the shredded chicken into your casserole dish.
- Chop the broccoli and carrots, and optionally add mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrients. Combine these vegetables with the shredded chicken in the casserole dish.
- In a separate bowl, mix the can of chicken soup with sour cream and lemon juice until well combined.
- Grate a slice of bread to make fresh breadcrumbs and grate the cheese.
- Pour the prepared soup mixture over the chicken and vegetables in the casserole dish, ensuring even distribution. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the sauce, then top with the grated cheese.
- Bake the prepared baking dish in a preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown, creating a deliciously crispy topping for your wholesome chicken casserole.
- Once the chicken broccoli casserole is baked to perfection, remove it from the oven. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.
- Scoop generous portions onto plates and enjoy this savory, cheesy Grandma's Chicken and Broccoli Bake with your favorite sides or a fresh salad for a complete meal experience.
