Baked Potato Chicken Broccoli Casserole (Print Version)

Comforting baked dish combining tender chicken, potatoes, and broccoli in a creamy cheesy sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, cubed or shredded

→ Vegetables

02 - 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
03 - 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy & Eggs

06 - 1 cup sour cream
07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus ½ cup for topping)
08 - ½ cup milk
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Pantry & Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
12 - ½ teaspoon paprika
13 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add diced potatoes and cook for 8–10 minutes until fork-tender. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - While potatoes cook, steam broccoli florets for 3–4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Do not overcook.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked potatoes, steamed broccoli, chicken, onion, and garlic. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
05 - In a separate bowl, whisk together sour cream, milk, melted butter, 1 cup cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme until smooth and well combined.
06 - Pour the creamy sauce over the potato, chicken, and broccoli mixture. Fold gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
07 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly across the top.
08 - Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown, and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
09 - Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set for easier scooping.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This is the kind of dinner that makes people feel instantly at home, like a warm hug after a long day.
  • Everything bakes together in one dish, meaning less cleanup and more time to actually relax.
  • The creamy cheesy sauce binds everything together so every bite feels complete and satisfying.
02 -
  • Overcooking the broccoli during prep is the biggest mistake, they finish cooking in the oven and nobody likes mushy forest green broccoli.
  • The resting period seems unnecessary but cutting into this straight from the oven sends the sauce running everywhere.
  • This reheats beautifully for lunch the next day, maybe add a splash of milk before warming it up.
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese from blocks instead of buying pre-shredded, the anti-caking coating prevents proper melting.
  • Use a paper towel to blot excess moisture from the broccoli after steaming, this keeps the casserole from becoming watery.

Go Back