This easy chicken casserole is one of our favorite weeknight dinners, a cheesy, comforting bake of chicken and broccoli that comes together in about thirty minutes. For us that kind of easy, satisfying comfort food is exactly what real food for real life is about. It is the kind of dinner that comes together with whatever you have on hand, turning cooked chicken and broccoli into a cheesy, bubbly bake that feels like comfort food with almost no effort.
Cooked chicken, broccoli, and crumbled turkey bacon are tossed with ranch and plenty of cheese, then baked until hot and bubbly. This easy chicken casserole is a hearty, low fuss meal that uses simple ingredients and is easy to make ahead. Tossing cooked chicken, broccoli, and crumbled turkey bacon with ranch and plenty of cheese, then baking until hot and bubbly, makes a hearty, low fuss meal from simple ingredients.
Cheesy, hearty, and quick, this easy chicken casserole bakes chicken and broccoli into a bubbly, comforting dinner.
Why You Will Love This Easy Chicken Casserole
- Quick and easy. With cooked chicken on hand, it bakes in about fifteen minutes.
- Cheesy and comforting. Mozzarella and cheddar make it rich, melty, and satisfying.
- Hearty and filling. Chicken, broccoli, and turkey bacon make a complete, protein packed meal.
- Great for leftovers. A delicious way to use up cooked chicken.
- Make ahead friendly. Assemble it ahead and bake when you are ready to eat.
What Makes This Easy Chicken Casserole So Good
A great easy chicken casserole starts with cooked chicken, which makes assembly fast. Combining it with broccoli, crumbled turkey bacon, and garlic builds a hearty, savory base before any cheese goes in. Starting with cooked chicken makes assembly fast, and combining it with broccoli, crumbled turkey bacon, and garlic builds a hearty, savory base before any cheese goes in.
Tossing everything with ranch and shredded cheese binds the casserole and adds creamy, tangy richness. The ranch keeps it moist while the cheese melts into every bite. Tossing everything with ranch and shredded cheese binds the casserole together and adds a creamy, tangy richness, with the ranch keeping it moist as the cheese melts.
Topping this easy chicken casserole with more mozzarella and cheddar and baking until hot and bubbly is what gives it that irresistible golden, cheesy finish. A short bake is all it needs since the chicken is already cooked. A generous topping of mozzarella and cheddar baked until hot and bubbly gives it that irresistible golden, cheesy finish, and a short bake is all it needs since the chicken is already cooked.
Optional Pro Tip: Use Pre Cooked Chicken
Using leftover or rotisserie chicken makes this dish come together in minutes, since you are mainly heating and melting. For the best easy chicken casserole, pat any watery vegetables dry first so the casserole stays creamy rather than turning watery. Using leftover or rotisserie chicken brings this together in minutes, since you are mainly heating and melting, and patting any watery vegetables dry first keeps the casserole creamy rather than watery.
Tips for the Best Easy Chicken Casserole
Use cooked chicken and dry your broccoli well so the easy chicken casserole does not turn watery, and cut everything into even, bite sized pieces. Using cooked chicken and drying the broccoli well keeps the casserole from turning watery, and cutting everything into even, bite sized pieces helps it heat through evenly.
Spread it evenly in the dish and top generously with cheese. Bake just until hot and bubbly, then let it rest a few minutes before serving. Spreading it evenly and topping generously with cheese sets up a golden finish, and a short rest after baking lets it settle so it scoops neatly.
Variations and Add Ins
- Low carb. Skip any starch and load up on broccoli and cheese for a keto friendly bake.
- Spicy. Add diced jalapenos or a dash of hot sauce.
- Different veggies. Use cauliflower, spinach, or green beans in place of broccoli.
- Extra cheesy. Add a layer of cream cheese for an even richer casserole.
- Crunchy top. Sprinkle crushed crackers or panko over the cheese before baking.
How to Store and Make Ahead
Store leftover easy chicken casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. It reheats well and the flavor holds up nicely. Stored airtight, it reheats well and the flavor holds up nicely, making it an easy, satisfying meal to enjoy again as a quick lunch.
Reheat in the oven or microwave until hot throughout. You can also assemble it ahead and refrigerate unbaked, then bake when ready, adding a few extra minutes. It reheats well in the oven or microwave, and you can also assemble it ahead and refrigerate it unbaked, then bake when ready, adding a few extra minutes.
Serving Suggestions for Easy Chicken Casserole
Serve this on its own as a hearty meal, or with rice, a side salad, or warm bread. A squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of fresh herbs brightens it up. It is hearty on its own, but rice, a side salad, or warm bread round it out, and a squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of fresh herbs brightens it up.
A casserole is a baked, one dish meal that combines protein, vegetables, and a binder, as described in this overview of the casserole. That all in one approach is exactly what makes this easy chicken casserole so easy and satisfying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes. Leftover or rotisserie chicken is perfect and makes the casserole come together in minutes. Leftover or rotisserie chicken is perfect here, making the casserole come together in minutes since the meat is already cooked.
What temperature do I bake it at?
Around 375 F works well. Since the chicken is cooked, you are mainly heating it through and melting the cheese. Since the chicken is already cooked, you are mainly heating it through and melting the cheese, so a moderate oven gets it hot and bubbly without drying it out.
How long does it take?
About fifteen minutes at 375 F, until the top is hot and bubbly. Let it rest a few minutes before serving. A short bake is all it needs to turn hot and bubbly on top, and a few minutes of rest afterward lets it settle so it serves neatly.
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes. Thaw it and pat it dry first so the casserole does not turn watery. Frozen broccoli works well, just thaw it and pat it dry first so the casserole stays creamy rather than turning watery.
Is this casserole low carb?
It can be. Skip any starchy add ins and stick to chicken, broccoli, and cheese for a low carb, high protein bake. It can easily be low carb, so skip any starchy add ins and stick to chicken, broccoli, and cheese for a satisfying, high protein bake.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Assemble it, refrigerate unbaked, and bake when ready, adding a few extra minutes. Because it assembles so easily, you can put it together ahead, refrigerate it unbaked, and bake it fresh when you need it, adding a few extra minutes.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, though cheese and dairy can change texture slightly. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat until hot throughout. It freezes reasonably well, though cheese and dairy can shift in texture, so thaw it in the refrigerator and reheat until hot all the way through.
What cheese works best?
A mix of mozzarella and cheddar melts well and adds great flavor. Use what you like. A mix of mozzarella and cheddar melts beautifully and adds great flavor, so use whatever blend you like best for a gooey, golden top.
How do I keep it from being watery?
Dry the broccoli well and use cooked, not raw, chicken so no extra liquid is released. Drying the broccoli well and using cooked rather than raw chicken keeps extra liquid from being released, which is the simple key to a creamy, not watery, bake.
What can I serve with it?
Rice, a salad, or warm bread all pair nicely, though it is hearty enough to stand alone. Rice, a crisp salad, or warm bread all pair nicely, though the casserole is hearty enough to stand on its own.
A Cheesy Comfort Bake for Busy Nights
This easy chicken casserole turns simple ingredients into a hearty, cheesy dinner with very little effort. Chicken, broccoli, and plenty of melted cheese make it pure comfort food. It turns simple ingredients into a hearty, cheesy dinner with very little effort, with chicken, broccoli, and plenty of melted cheese making it pure comfort food.
Assemble it ahead for busy nights, and swap in different vegetables or add a crunchy topping to make it your own. It is an easy, crowd pleasing bake the whole family enjoys. Assemble it ahead for busy nights, and swap in different vegetables or add a crunchy topping to make it your own for a crowd pleasing bake the whole family enjoys.
If you love cheesy, comforting bakes like this, you will also enjoy our cheesy gnocchi bake, another favorite from our kitchen.
Results vary by ingredients, equipment, and cooking conditions. Always taste and adjust seasoning as you go.
Easy Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375 F. If using frozen spinach, thaw completely and squeeze out excess water. If using fresh broccoli, boil for 1 to 2 minutes until bright green, then drain.
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, turkey bacon, prepared vegetables, minced garlic, ranch dressing, and the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Mix well. Add optional ranch seasoning if desired.
- Transfer mixture to a 9 by 13 inch casserole dish.
- Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the top.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the top is hot and bubbly. Remove from oven, let cool slightly, then serve.
Nutrition
Notes
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