Broccoli and Cheesy Chicken Casserole

Components:

1. Two cups of cooked chicken, roughly two medium chicken breasts, either shredded or diced
2. Four cups of blanched or cooked broccoli florets
3. One can (10.5 oz) of cream of chicken soup (or, for a variation, cream of mushroom soup)
4. One cup of sour cream
5. 1 1/2 cups of split, shredded cheddar cheese
6. Half a cup of Parmesan cheese, grated
7. One teaspoon of powdered garlic
8. Half a teaspoon of onion powder
9. To taste, add salt and pepper.
10. Half a cup of optional bread crumbs for garnish
11. Two tablespoons of butter (for topping, if desired)

Directions:

1. Get the ingredients ready:

• Set the oven temperature to 175°C (350°F).
• If the chicken isn’t already cooked, cook it. Chicken breasts can be baked in the oven or rapidly cooked in a skillet. After cooking, chop or shred the chicken into small pieces.
• Rinse the broccoli florets carefully and leave aside after steaming or blanching them for 3–4 minutes in boiling water until they are soft but still crisp.

2. Prepare the cheese sauce:

• Combine 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup in a large bowl. Add the onion and garlic powders, salt, and pepper to taste.
• Stir together the cooked chicken and broccoli with the cheese sauce mixture. The mixture need to be well-coated and creamy.

3. Put the casserole together:

• Evenly distribute the chicken, broccoli, and cheese mixture in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish that has been oiled.
• Evenly distribute the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan and cheddar cheese shreds on top.

4. Choosing to Top:

• Melt the butter and combine it with the breadcrumbs if you prefer a crunchy topping. For a golden, crispy finish, scatter the breadcrumb mixture on top of the dish.

5. Cook:

• The casserole should be hot and bubbling after 20 to 25 minutes in a preheated oven, and the top should be brown and crispy if breadcrumbs are being used.

6. Offer:

• Before serving, take the casserole out of the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
• If preferred, garnish with more freshly cut parsley.

Advice:

• Make-Ahead: The casserole can be put together the day before baking and kept in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake it. If it’s cold out of the refrigerator, simply extend the baking time by a few minutes.
• Add More Vegetables: For added taste and nutrients, feel free to add additional vegetables like carrots, peas, or mushrooms.
• Variation: You may use low-fat cheese and Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream for a lighter version.

The ideal evening supper is this Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole, which is filling, simple to prepare, and bursting with flavor!