Easy & Delicious Chicken Broccoli Potato Casserole: Your Perfect Weeknight Meal
Searching for a truly satisfying and incredibly easy meal that brings comfort to your table without hours of effort? Look no further than this delightful Chicken Broccoli Potato Casserole! This all-in-one dish features layers of tender potato slices, succulent chicken fillet, and fresh, sweet broccoli, all brought together under a blanket of golden, melted cheese. It’s the kind of hearty, savory bake that warms the soul and delights every palate, making it an absolute ideal recipe for any busy weeknight and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for your entire family.
Why This Chicken and Broccoli Potato Bake is Your New Weeknight Hero
I am always on the hunt for simple yet impressive casserole recipes that can be quickly assembled and popped into the oven, especially for those hectic evenings. It’s essential that these meals are not only convenient but also offer a healthy and wholesome touch. This Potato Casserole with Chicken and Broccoli perfectly fits that description, ticking all the boxes for a balanced and delicious family dinner.
The flavor profile of this casserole is wonderfully savory and rich. The crispy bacon bits introduce a delightful salty and smoky depth, while the tender chicken provides a satisfying protein bite. The broccoli florets add a crucial element of freshness and a subtle sweetness, balancing the richness of the other ingredients. Beneath the golden cheese crust, you’ll find soft, creamy potato slices, which, when combined with the melted cheese on top, create that irresistible crispy and comforting layer everyone loves.
Beyond its incredible taste, this casserole is also highly nutritious. Packed with protein from the chicken, essential vitamins from the broccoli, and energy from the potatoes, it’s a meal that truly nourishes. The combination of easy preparation, fantastic taste, and nutritional benefits makes this broccoli chicken casserole an absolute winner – a dish you’ll undoubtedly want to prepare again and again!
The Comfort and Convenience of Casseroles
Casseroles hold a special place in the culinary world, revered for their ability to deliver hearty, wholesome meals with minimal fuss. They embody comfort food at its best, often requiring just one dish for cooking and serving, which also simplifies cleanup. This particular chicken, broccoli, and potato casserole perfectly exemplifies these qualities. It’s a complete meal in itself, offering a delightful blend of textures and flavors that cater to both adults and children.
The beauty of a casserole lies in its versatility and ease. Ingredients can often be prepped in advance, making it an excellent option for meal planning and busy schedules. For those nights when time is of the essence, a casserole like this one allows you to combine your protein, vegetables, and carbs into a single, delicious bake, freeing up precious evening minutes for family time or relaxation.
Mastering Your Ingredients for the Perfect Casserole
The success of any great casserole often comes down to the quality and preparation of its individual components. For this chicken, broccoli, and potato bake, each ingredient plays a vital role in creating a harmonious and delicious outcome.
Potatoes: The Hearty Foundation
For this casserole, floury potatoes are recommended, as they become wonderfully soft and creamy when boiled, providing a comforting base that absorbs all the savory flavors. When preparing, aim for uniform slices, about ½ inch thick, to ensure even cooking and a beautiful presentation. Pre-boiling the potatoes until tender is key for that melt-in-your-mouth texture in the final bake. If you’re really short on time, store-bought potato slices can be a fantastic shortcut, eliminating the need for peeling, boiling, and slicing!
Chicken: Lean Protein Powerhouse
Chicken breast, cut into 1×1 inch (2×2 cm) cubes, provides lean protein that keeps this casserole healthy and satisfying. Cooking the chicken until golden brown in the bacon drippings adds an incredible depth of flavor. Ensure the chicken pieces are roughly the same size for consistent cooking, preventing some pieces from drying out while others are undercooked.
Broccoli: The Burst of Freshness
Broccoli florets add a vibrant color, a slight sweetness, and a wealth of nutrients to the dish. The trick is to cook them until al dente – tender-crisp, but still retaining a slight bite. This prevents them from becoming mushy when baked in the oven. Aim for about 7-8 minutes of cooking time before combining them with the other ingredients.
Bacon: The Savory Secret
Bacon bits are not just for garnish here; they infuse the entire dish with a salty, smoky flavor that elevates the casserole from good to extraordinary. Frying the bacon until lightly crisp and then using the rendered fat to cook the chicken ensures that none of that delicious flavor is wasted. Always remember to drain the bacon on a paper towel to remove excess grease, keeping the casserole from becoming oily.
Cheese: The Golden Crown
Gouda cheese is specified in the recipe, known for its smooth texture and mild, nutty flavor that melts beautifully. However, this is one area where you can truly personalize your casserole. Mozzarella offers a fantastic stretch, Cheddar brings a sharper, more robust flavor, while Parmesan adds a salty, umami kick. A blend of cheeses can also create a more complex flavor profile. Whichever you choose, a generous layer of grated cheese promises that irresistible golden-brown, bubbly crust.
Customize Your Casserole: Delicious Variations
While this classic Chicken Broccoli Potato Casserole is perfect as is, it’s also wonderfully adaptable! Feel free to get creative and tailor it to your family’s preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand.
- Add More Veggies: Boost the nutritional content and flavor by adding other vegetables. Sautéed mushrooms, diced bell peppers, peas, or corn would all be delicious additions. You could even swap out some of the broccoli for cauliflower.
- Protein Alternatives: Not a fan of chicken or bacon? This recipe works well with other proteins. Ground turkey or even cubed ham could be used in place of the chicken, or omit the bacon if you prefer. For a vegetarian version, consider adding chickpeas or white beans for protein, and using vegetable broth for moisture.
- Creamy Sauce Enhancements: For an extra rich and creamy casserole, you could whip up a simple cheese sauce or béchamel to mix with the chicken and broccoli mixture before layering. A dollop of sour cream or cream cheese stirred into the chicken mixture also adds a lovely tang and creaminess.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, or a dash of your favorite Italian seasoning can elevate the flavors. For a hint of heat, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes would be excellent.
- Topping Variations: Beyond just grated cheese, consider a topping of breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter for extra crunch, or even crushed potato chips for a fun twist!
Experimenting with these variations ensures that this versatile casserole can make a frequent and welcome appearance on your dinner rotation without ever feeling repetitive!
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📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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A conventional oven is used. When using a convection oven (with air fan) decrease the temperature with 30 °F / 20 °C
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Large Casserole Dish
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Large Skillet
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Pot for boiling potatoes and broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ pound potatoes , floury, peeled and boiled
- 2 pounds broccoli , florets only, cooked until al dente
- 4 oz. bacon bits
- ¾ pound chicken breast, cut into cubes 1 x 1 inch (2 x 2 cm)
- ¾ cup Gouda cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper, to taste
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 430 °F (220 °C) for a conventional oven or 390 °F (200 °C) if using a convection (fan-assisted) oven.
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Peel the potatoes and boil them in lightly salted water for about 20 minutes, or until they are tender. Once cooked, drain the water and allow them to cool slightly.1 ¼ pound potatoes
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While the potatoes are cooking, prepare the broccoli. Boil the broccoli florets until they are just tender-crisp (al dente), which usually takes about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain thoroughly.2 pounds broccoli
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In a large skillet, fry the bacon bits until they are lightly crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and place it on a kitchen towel to drain excess fat. Leave the bacon fat in the skillet.4 oz. bacon bits
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Add the cubed chicken breast to the same skillet with the bacon drippings. Sauté until the chicken is cooked through and beautifully golden brown on all sides. Season with salt and pepper to taste.¾ pound chicken breast
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Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the crisp bacon bits and the drained broccoli florets to the chicken. Gently mix everything together until well combined.
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Once the boiled potatoes have cooled slightly, slice them into ½ inch (about 1.25 cm) thick rounds.
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Arrange half of the sliced potatoes evenly across the bottom of your casserole dish.
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Spoon the chicken and broccoli mixture over the potato layer. Then, arrange the remaining potato slices on top, completely covering the chicken and broccoli layer.
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Evenly sprinkle the grated Gouda cheese over the top of the casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beautifully golden brown. Serve hot and enjoy!¾ cup Gouda cheese
Notes
2. Cooking broccoli to perfection: The key to delicious broccoli in a casserole is to cook it until it’s ‘al dente’ – tender yet still firm to the bite. Overcooked broccoli can become mushy in the oven. Aim for around 7-8 minutes of boiling or steaming so it retains its texture and vibrant color.
3. Cheese choice matters: While Gouda cheese is a fantastic choice for its melt and mild flavor, don’t hesitate to experiment! Mozzarella for a stringy melt, sharp Cheddar for a more pronounced flavor, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan for a salty kick can all elevate this dish. A blend of your favorite melting cheeses works wonderfully too!
4. Storage & Meal Prep Tips
- Refrigerator: This chicken broccoli casserole is excellent for meal prep! Once cooled, cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. This makes it perfect for preparing ahead of a busy week.
- Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze this casserole. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight, freezer-safe container or wrap the entire casserole dish tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. It will stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat: To reheat, remove the cover (or foil if frozen). If reheating from the fridge, cover the casserole dish loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese from browning too much. Heat in a preheated oven at 350 °F (180 °C) for about 20 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through. Check the internal temperature, and if needed, continue baking in 5-minute increments until piping hot. If reheating from frozen, it may take longer – around 45-60 minutes, still covered with foil.
Nutrition
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Explore More Delicious Casserole Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and comfort of this Chicken Broccoli Potato Casserole, you’re in for a treat! Casseroles are truly a go-to for hearty, family-friendly meals. Discover more delicious bakes from my collection:
- Traditional Greek Eggplant Moussaka
- Ovenschotel Aardappel Anders (Dutch Cream Potato Casserole) with Ground Beef
- Beef Nacho Casserole