This Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Recipe is a creamy and comforting recipe, which uses crunchy Ritz crackers and savory cheddar cheese soup. It’s an easy family casserole, ready in about 55 minutes.
Jump to RecipeBroccoli Cheddar Chicken Recipe Ingredients
- 2½ lbs chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 can (10.75 oz) cheddar cheese soup
- 1½ cups milk
- ½ tsp seasoned salt
- 8 oz broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1½ cups Ritz crackers, crushed
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
How To Make Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Recipe
- Prep the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Get a 9×13-inch baking dish ready; you can lightly spray it with non-stick spray if desired for easier cleanup.
- Whisk the sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the can of cheddar cheese soup and the milk until the mixture is completely smooth and combined.
- Layer the chicken: Trim the chicken breasts and place them in a single layer in the bottom of the baking dish. Season them lightly with the seasoned salt.
- Add sauce and broccoli: Pour approximately ¾ of the soup mixture over the chicken breasts. Scatter the broccoli florets evenly over the top of the chicken and sauce. If using large florets, chop them down to bite-sized pieces first.
- Make the cracker topping: In a small bowl (or a ziploc bag), combine the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter. Toss until the crumbs are coated and resemble wet sand. Sprinkle this mixture over the broccoli layer.
- Finish the pour: Drizzle the remaining soup mixture over the cracker topping. Do not soak the crackers entirely; just drizzle enough to moisten them so they bake into a golden crust.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F) and the sauce is bubbly.
- Add cheese: Remove the dish from the oven. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Let it sit for a few minutes to melt the cheese before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Broccoli Prep: If using frozen broccoli, thaw it and pat it dry with paper towels to prevent the casserole from becoming watery. If using fresh broccoli, you can blanch it for 2 minutes first if you prefer very soft veggies, though 45 minutes in the oven is usually enough to tenderize raw florets.
- Chicken Thickness: If your chicken breasts are very thick, slice them horizontally into cutlets or pound them to an even thickness. This ensures they cook through in the 45-minute window without drying out the edges.
- Soup Substitution: If you cannot find cheddar cheese soup, a can of “Cream of Chicken” or “Cream of Mushroom” soup works as a base, but you may want to add extra shredded cheese to the sauce mix to maintain the cheddar flavor.
- Crushing Crackers: The easiest way to crush Ritz crackers is to leave them in the sleeve, seal the end with your hand, and crush them gently on the counter.
What To Serve With Broccoli Cheddar Chicken
This is a rich, saucy main dish that pairs well with simple starches.
- White Rice: The classic pairing to soak up the cheese sauce.
- Egg Noodles: Buttered wide egg noodles work perfectly.
- Mashed Potatoes: For a hearty, comfort-food meal.
- Green Salad: A crisp salad with vinaigrette cuts through the rich cheese sauce.
How To Store Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Recipe
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave, or cover the dish with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes.
- Freeze: You can freeze the baked casserole. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. Note that the cracker topping will lose its crunch after freezing.
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Recipe Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 480
- Total Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
- Sodium: 850mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 25g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 45g
Nutrition information is estimated per serving.
FAQs
Yes, you can use cooked rotisserie chicken to speed up the process. Reduce the baking time to about 25-30 minutes, just long enough to cook the broccoli and bubble the sauce.
As written, no (due to the soup and crackers). To make it gluten-free, use a certified gluten-free cream soup (or homemade cheese sauce) and gluten-free cracker crumbs or crushed gluten-free cornflakes.
Sauce can become runny if the chicken releases a lot of water or if frozen broccoli wasn’t drained. Letting the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking allows the juices to redistribute and the sauce to thicken slightly.
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings10
minutes45
minutes480
kcalA nostalgic, creamy chicken casserole topped with buttery Ritz crackers and cheddar cheese, perfect for a fuss-free family dinner.
Ingredients
2.5 lbs chicken breasts
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1.5 cups milk
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
8 oz broccoli florets
1.5 cups Ritz crackers, crushed
4 tbsp butter, melted
4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Whisk soup and milk until smooth.
- Pour 3/4 of sauce over chicken. Top with broccoli.
- Mix cracker crumbs with melted butter; sprinkle over broccoli.
- Drizzle remaining sauce over crumbs.
- Bake uncovered for 45 minutes.
- Bake uncovered for 45 minutes.
- Top with shredded cheese; let melt and serve.
Notes
- Seasoning: Seasoned salt (like Lawry’s) adds more depth than plain salt, but plain salt works if that’s all you have.
- Texture: For a crispier top, do not drizzle the remaining soup over the crackers in step 6; instead, pour all the soup over the chicken in step 4.
