Creamy Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Ingredients

For the Casserole

2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
4 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen, steamed until tender-crisp
4 ounces egg noodles, cooked according to package directions, optional
1/2 small yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced

For the Creamy Cheese Sauce

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk, whole or 2%
1/2 cup chicken broth
4 ounces cream cheese, softened, cut into cubes
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

For the Topping

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 2 min•🌡️ 375
2
If your chicken is not already cooked, prepare it now. You can boil, bake, or pan-fry chicken breasts until cooked through, then shred or dice them. Steam or blanch the broccoli florets until tender-crisp, about 3-5 minutes. Drain well. If using egg noodles, cook them according to package directions, then drain and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
3
In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min
4
Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
⏱️ 1 min
5
Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth until smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
6
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the softened cream cheese until it's completely melted and smooth. Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until both are melted and the sauce is creamy. Stir in the Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
⏱️ 5 min
7
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, and cooked egg noodles (if using). Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the mixture and stir gently to combine everything evenly.
⏱️ 5 min
8
Transfer the casserole mixture to the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 2 min
9
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter. Sprinkle this topping evenly over the casserole mixture.
⏱️ 2 min
10
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 375
11
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly.
⏱️ 10 min