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If You Want Cozy Comfort Food, Make A Chicken Casserole For Dinner Tonight
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If you're wondering what's more popular between casserole recipes and chicken dinners, that would be a very tough call. So why choose? Chicken casseroles offer the best of both worlds. They have all the comforting, family-friendly aspects of a casserole, plus they're loaded with chicken so they're extra hearty. Just ask Ree Drummond, whose chicken spaghetti recipe is legendary in the her household. You'll find her popular dish and so many more family meals to try right here.
If you're looking for dishes that feed a crowd, there's nothing better than a comfort food casserole. In fact, many of the recipes on this list feed upwards of ten people! If you're not feeding a herd of hungry cowboys, don't worry: these casseroles make amazing leftovers, or you can even split them between two baking dishes to share with a neighbor. Who wouldn't love to find Ree's broccoli chicken casserole waiting on their doorstep?
With pot pies, baked pasta recipes, buffalo chicken recipes, and more, you could easily make a different chicken casserole every day of the week. Pull out your pantry staples for nostalgic bakes like chicken noodle casserole topped with crunchy, buttery crackers and a chicken and stuffing casserole that proves stuffing is worth making year-round. Or lean into your Tex-Mex cravings with one of the many enchiladas recipes. Want to make mealtime easy? Pick up a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and these recipes will come together even quicker. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
Marry Me Chicken PastaThis dish is a spinoff of the popular Marry Me Chicken. It has the same creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce, but it's combined with Italian chicken sausage, shell pasta, and lots of cheese.
Get Ree's Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe.
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C.W. Newell
Chicken Enchilada CasseroleIf you love the idea of enchiladas but want to put in a little less work, you can layer everything like lasagna instead. You still get the same creamy, cheesy, chicken-filled goodness.
Get Ree's Chicken Enchilada Casserole recipe.
C.W. Newell
King Ranch ChickenFans of Tex-Mex recipes, this is for you! It's made with shredded chicken, a zesty, creamy sauce, plenty of cheese, and tortillas all layered together.
Get Ree's King Ranch Chicken recipe.
Stacy Allen
Chicken TetrazziniThis is a spin on the turkey tetrazzini that uses Thanksgiving leftovers, but you can make this one any day of the year! You get the same creamy, cheesy filling and buttery, crisp topping.
Get Ree's Chicken Tetrazzini recipe.
Ryan Liebe
Broccoli Chicken CasseroleBeyond its great taste, the great thing about this meal is that you can make it ahead and even freeze it for later. It's filled with chicken, broccoli, rice, a creamy sauce, with a buttery cracker topping.
Get Ree's Broccoli Chicken Casserole recipe.
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Will Dickey
Chicken Cordon Bleu CasseroleGet the flavors of chicken cordon bleu but skip the complicated stuffing part. Chicken, ham, cheese, and a crispy coating are simply layered in a casserole dish for an easy dinner.
Get the Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Chicken Noodle CasseroleThis classic uses staples like cream of chicken soup, frozen veggies, and buttery crackers for the perfect topping. Get a taste of nostalgia in every bite! You can even use rotisserie chicken to speed up the prep.
Get the Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Chicken and Stuffing CasseroleStuffing isn't just for holidays. This recipe jazzes up the store-bought kind with fresh veggies, herbs, and tender chicken for the most comforting weeknight meal the whole family will love.
Get the Chicken and Stuffing Casserole recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Classic Chicken Pot PieChicken pot pie is easier to make than you might think—you can use leftover shredded chicken and a ready-made pie crust. The important thing is that you make it!
Get Ree's Classic Pot Pie recipe.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
White Chicken EnchiladasThe Drummond family is a big fan of these enchiladas, and there's no question why: They're creamy, cheesy, and downright decadent! This recipe uses corn tortillas that get quickly fried before assembly giving the enchiladas great texture.
Get Ree's White Chicken Enchiladas recipe.
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Ralph Smith
Chicken SpaghettiThis make-ahead meal is a hit with everyone on the Drummond ranch—Ladd, the kids, and even the cowboys! It's one of the best Pioneer Woman casserole recipes of all time.
Get Ree's Chicken Spaghetti recipe.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
Chicken Bacon Ranch CasseroleThis all-in-one recipe combines three of our favorite things: chicken, bacon, and ranch. Oh, and pasta! Make that four of our favorite things. 😂
Get the Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Buffalo Chicken DipNo game day spread would be complete without some kind of buffalo chicken recipe. This one makes things easy—just bake it up in a casserole dish!
Get the Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe.
Will Dickey
Chicken EnchiladasYou can use red or green enchilada sauce for this family dinner. But whatever you do, don't forget the toppings: sour cream, cilantro, and diced tomato!
Get Ree's Chicken Enchiladas recipe.
Ralph Smith
French Onion Chicken CasseroleThis twist on the classic French soup has all the same cheesy goodness, plus slices of softened baguette layered throughout.
Get Ree's French Onion Chicken Casserole recipe.
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Ralph Smith
Chicken Alfredo Stuffed ShellsThis rich and creamy pasta recipe comes together in less than an hour. But the best part is—you can assemble it ahead and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to bake.
Get Ree's Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells recipe.
Ralph Smith
Chicken Wild Rice CasseroleWhen the temperatures start to drop, this casserole dish is sure to warm you right up. It's loaded with comforting ingredients like wild rice, melted gruyere cheese, and a buttery crouton topping.
Get the Chicken Wild Rice Casserole recipe.
Brenda Score / The Pioneer Woman
Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Pasta BakeWhy choose between chicken parm and comforting baked pasta when you can have them both in one pan? It's saucy and cheesy in every single bite!
Get the Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Pasta Bake recipe.
Jessica Merchant
Enchiladas VerdesSkip the canned stuff and make homemade tomatillo sauce all on your own! You'll be so glad you did because it perfectly spices up the chicken and cheese filling.
Get the Enchiladas Verdes recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Chicken DivanPrep this easy chicken casserole ahead of time, pop it in the oven for 30 minutes, and dinner is served! With chicken, broccoli, a creamy sauce, and a crispy topping, it's everything you want in a meal.
Get the Chicken Divan recipe at Preppy Kitchen.
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Preppy Kitchen
Creamy Chicken Quinoa and Broccoli CasseroleHealthy meets comforting in this casserole starring broccoli, crispy bacon, quinoa, tender chicken, and cheese.
Get the Creamy Chicken Quinoa and Broccoli Casserole recipe at Pinch of Yum.
Pinch of Yum
Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice CasseroleGive dinnertime some Tex-Mex flair with this tasty spin on chicken and rice. This easy meal has fire-roasted tomatoes, green chiles, warm spices, and plenty of cheese baked right in.
Get the Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice Casserole recipe at Table for Two.
Table for Two
Chicken and Broccoli BakeBroccoli and melty cheddar cheese are a classic combination, and this recipe turns that pairing into the tastiest dinnertime casserole. Plus, it comes together in under an hour!
Get the Chicken and Broccoli Bake at Simply Lakita.
Simply Lakita
Fiesta Chicken CasseroleShortcut ingredients (like jarred salsa, leftover chicken, and canned beans) make this Southwestern dinner super easy.
Get the Fiesta Chicken Casserole recipe at Immaculate Bites.
Immaculate Bites
Spinach Artichoke Chicken CasseroleThis dish has everything you love about creamy spinach artichoke dip, plus the heartiness of rotisserie chicken. It's such an easy weeknight dinner!
Get the Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole recipe at Nibble and Dine.
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Nibble and Dine
Lemon Chicken and Rice CasseroleBright, citrusy chicken thighs and creamy rice make this the perfect one-pot meal any time of year. Serve it up with a side salad or your favorite seasonal veggie.
Get the Lemon Chicken and Rice Casserole recipe at Grandbaby Cakes.
Grandbaby Cakes
Chicken Parmesan CasseroleChicken parmesan takes on a whole new form with this deconstructed casserole. It's loaded with pasta, crispy chicken, marinara sauce, and melty cheese.
Get the Chicken Parmesan Casserole recipe at The Recipe Critic.
The Recipe Critic
Cajun Chicken and Rice BakeThis Cajun casserole recipe is already loaded with flavor but if you want to bring some extra spice, you can always add more cayenne powder.
Get the Cajun Chicken and Rice Bake recipe at The Forked Spoon.
The Forked Spoon
Teriyaki Chicken CasseroleMaking your own teriyaki sauce is easier than you might think. It only takes five ingredients and it adds a load of flavor to this chicken and veggie dish.
Get the Teriyaki Chicken Casserole recipe at Life in the Lofthouse.
Life in the Lofthouse
Chicken Sausage Hash Brown CasseroleLooking for a breakfast casserole for your next family brunch? This easy dish combines tender potato hash browns and chicken sausage for a morning meal that everyone will love.
Get the Chicken Sausage Hash Brown Casserole at Paleo Running Momma.
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Paleo Running Momma
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Well Plated: Lightened Up Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Every now and then, I catch furtive visions of my life as a mother: dragging kids in and out of the mini-van I swore I'd never own; discovering peanut butter smeared in mysterious places; and casseroles. So. Many. Casseroles.
My own mother was the casserole queen. She sported a crown made of Pyrex and carried non-stick baking spray for a scepter. Any leftovers in our house, no matter the form in which they began, she would eventually transform into 9×13 pan of creamy, cheesy mystery. When I would ask her the question all mothers dread ("What's for dinner?), her most common response was, "Don't ask me what it's called — I made it up."
My young brain interpreted her evasive reply to mean that I wouldn't like it and to this day, I still have misgivings about any meal with "casserole" in the title, but when I step back, there is no reason to run and hide my fork. After all, "casserole" is basically a simpler way of expressing "giant pan of gooey, goodness." By taking a new look at this classic dish and cleaning up the ingredients, a casserole can be a healthy, effective way to feed a family or to give yourself easy-to-reheat leftovers all week long.
This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole is a lightened up version of one of the casserole dishes I remember my mom making the most often. It's incredibly versatile and packs just about every healthy food group into a single pan. In one bite, you have lean protein, veggies, whole grains and dairy.
To cut on the prep and cook time, I used instant brown rice, but you could use long-cooking brown rice or even farro or quinoa. As a vegetarian option, the chicken can be replaced withwhite beans, and the broccoli can be substituted with any fresh or frozen vegetables you prefer or have on hand. I foresee a bell pepper cheesy chicken rice casserole happening later thissummer and a sweet butternut squash version in the fall.
RECIPE:
Yield: Serves 6 (prep time: 30 minutes; Cook time: 25 minutes)
Ingredients
· 1 3/4 cups low sodium chicken broth
· 2 cups instant brown rice
· 1 pound broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
· 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
· 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces
· 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
· 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
· 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
· 2 tablespoons flour
· 2 cups milk, divided (I used skim)
· 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
· 1/3 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt
· 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese, divided (about 6 ounces)
Directions
Recipe notes:
This dish can be prepared up to the point of baking two days in advance. Let dish stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, then bake as directed. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Erin Clarke is fearlessly dedicated to wholesome food that tastes incredible. On her blog, Well Plated by Erin, she shares approachable recipes for lightened-up comfort foods, healthier baked treats and seasonal eating. She passionately believes that family dinner can be special without being complicated and that one need not sacrifice taste to enjoy a balanced diet. The Huffington Post named her as a "Best Food Blog for Eating on a Budget," she regularly conducts live cooking demonstrations, and her recipes and photography have been featured on "TODAY," Oprah, Parade, The Kitchn, Cosmopolitan, and more. When she's not making a mess in her Milwaukee kitchen, you'll catch her out running (awkwardly), traveling or sipping a margarita on her back porch.
Ree's Broccoli Chicken Casserole Is Everything You Want In A Meal
I happen to love broccoli-cheese anything (hello, broccoli-cheese soup!), so this chicken casserole is the kind of comfort food that just speaks to my soul. It has everything you could ever want in a family meal: delicious chicken, rice, broccoli, creamy sauce, lots and lots of cheese, and a buttery cracker topping. It's also a dish I can prep ahead and toss in the fridge (or freezer!) for any night of the week. For an easy shortcut, just buy a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store! You'll need about four cups of shredded chicken for this easy casserole. You can also cook the rice a day ahead to make assembly easy. Make it for your family, make it for a neighbor or friend... Just make it. You'll be glad you did.
Can you use frozen broccoli in broccoli chicken casserole?
I tend to like using fresh broccoli because it doesn't turn out as soft and mushy as frozen broccoli. You can use frozen broccoli in a pinch, though. Just be sure to thaw it and pat it dry. If you're using frozen broccoli, there's no need to cook it first (it was blanched before it was frozen!) so you can skip step 2.
Can broccoli chicken casserole be made ahead of time?
Yes, this casserole can be assembled, covered, and stored unbaked in the fridge for up to two days. I like to wait until just before baking to add the cracker mixture on top so it stays crunchy. Pull the casserole out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to bake it so it has a chance to come to room temperature. Then, bake as usual. You may need to add several minutes to the cook time, but just keep an eye on it. Once it's golden brown, bubbly, and heated through, it's ready.
Can you freeze broccoli chicken casserole?
You sure can! This casserole yields up to 12 servings, so if you have a small family, you can easily split the casserole between two baking dishes and freeze one for later. You can freeze the unbaked casserole with the cracker topping already on it if you want, but it's better to wait and add it later. Just let the casserole thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake it for 20 minutes to heat through. Add the cracker topping and pop it back in the oven for another 30 minutes or so until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crunchy.
Yields: 10-12 servings
Prep Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hour 15 mins
Ingredients6 tbsp.
salted butter, plus more for baking dish
8 c.
small broccoli florets
2 tbsp.
olive oil
4
(6-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1
medium yellow onion, finely diced
1
clove garlic, grated on a microplane
1/4 c.
all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp.
dry mustard
1/4 tsp.
cayenne pepper
4 c.
whole milk
4 oz.
cream cheese, cubed, at room temperature
1/2 c.
finely grated parmesan
1/2 tsp.
kosher salt
1 tsp.
black pepper
1/2 tsp.
paprika
8 oz.
processed cheese, such as Velveeta, cubed
1
(8-oz.) block sharp cheddar, freshly grated (about 2 cups)
3 c.
cooked long-grain rice
1 c.
crushed butter crackers, such as Ritz
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 13-by-9-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
Heat a large high-sided skillet over medium-high. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter and the oil to the pan. When the butter has melted and foamed and the oil is shimmering, add the chicken to the pan, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside to cool slightly before shredding. Wipe out the pan and return it to the stove.
Add 2 tablespoons of the butter to the pan set over medium-high heat, and melt. Add the onion and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the flour, dry mustard, and cayenne to the pan and stir to combine. Continue cooking, about 1 minute more. Whisking constantly, slowly add the milk and cook until it begins to thicken, about 4 minutes more. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the cream cheese and parmesan to the pan, whisking until thoroughly combined. Whisk in the salt, black pepper, and paprika. Add the processed cheese, continuing to whisk until completely melted. Add half of the cheddar and whisk until melted. Finally, fold in the broccoli and shredded chicken.
Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and stir into the crushed crackers until well combined.
Spread half of the rice evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish and cover with half of the broccoli-chicken mixture. Repeat the layers once. Top the casserole evenly with the remaining cheddar and the cracker mixture. Bake, rotating once halfway through, until golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
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