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Chicken Broccoli Potato Casserole

Chicken, broccoli, potato casserole in a round dish, baked, with cheese and toasted breadcrumbs.
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Perfect for transforming leftover chicken into a fresh meal, this chicken broccoli potato casserole is comforting, hearty, and great for preparing in advance! Featuring a rich and creamy homemade cheese sauce that’s far better than anything canned, it’s a satisfying meal delivering classic flavors with a made-from-scratch twist!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound cooked chicken breast - chopped or shredded
  • 4 cups peeled and chopped (into cubes) white potatoes
  • 2 large heads of broccoli - chopped, florets only
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1/2 cup minced white onion
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth/stock
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (white or orange) - divided
  • 1 teaspoon smooth Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F, bring a large saucepan of water to a boil, and get a large casserole dish out and ready to use. I've made this recipe in a standard-size lasagna pan and also a round, 3.8-quart casserole dish, and both worked great! 
  2. Once the water is boiling, add the peeled and chopped potatoes and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until they easily pierce with a fork. 
  3. Once cooked, remove them from the boiling water using a slotted spoon and place them in your large casserole dish along with the cooked chicken breast. Don't drain the boiling water!
  4. Add the chopped broccoli florets to the boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Now, you can drain the water and then transfer the cooked florets to your casserole dish. 
  5. Return the saucepan to the stove and add the butter. Melt over medium-low heat.
  6. Once melted, add the minced onion and cook until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. 
  7. Add the flour and stir the butter, onion, and flour into a paste. Cook for 1 minute. 
  8. Pour in the chicken broth and milk. Increase the heat to medium and whisk continuously until the mixture has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. 
  9. Once thickened, stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese until melted. 
  10. Turn off the heat and stir in the Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  11. Pour the cheese sauce over the chicken, broccoli, and potatoes and stir until well combined.  
  12. Cover your casserole dish tightly with foil, transfer it into your preheated oven, and bake for 20 minutes. 
  13. While it's baking, combine the olive oil and panko breadcrumbs in a small bowl. 
  14. After 20 minutes, remove the casserole from the oven, uncover it, and sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheddar and panko breadcrumbs. 
  15. Return the casserole to the oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. 
  16. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Your baking dish options are flexible. A standard lasagna pan or a 3.8-quart round casserole dish both work well. Just note that a long, shallow pan cooks faster, while a deeper dish may take longer to heat through.
  • Use slightly warm chicken broth and milk to help the sauce thicken faster. To warm, heat them in the microwave for a minute or two before adding them to the saucepan.
  • For extra toasty breadcrumbs, pre-toast them in a skillet before adding them to the top of the casserole. Simply toss the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil and then toast over low heat until golden. This only takes a minute or two, so keep an eye on them so they don't burn!
  • Let the casserole sit for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and makes it easier to portion.
  • To make ahead: Assemble the casserole through step #11, listed in the recipe card above. Cover it with foil or a tight-fitting lid and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to bake, let the casserole sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, give it a good stir, and then bake as instructed.  Since it's starting out cold, you might need to add several minutes to the overall baking time to ensure it's heated through.
  • The nutrition information shown below is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.  It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.

Nutrition

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