This chicken and broccoli casserole is a great way to get dinner on the table quickly. It is a perfect way to use leftover chicken or turkey as well!
Dinner is served and it’s delicious! Grandma’s chicken and broccoli bake has so many of our favorite foods in it, pasta, chicken, broccoli and cheese.
It is a hit every time I make it. It is also a great way to use up some leftover chicken or turkey. It comes together quickly and bakes to perfection. Serve some to your family today!
Table of Contents
Grandma’s Recipe
My husband’s grandma sent me this recipe as a response to the original email I sent out that started this wild ride, learn more on that on my about page. I had some leftover turkey breast from when I made homemade turkey and egg noodles.
This recipe seemed like a great way to use it up. Obviously you can used leftover roast chicken, chicken breasts or you could pick up a rotisserie chicken at the store.
I knew I would be on the road, so I made the casserole the night before up until the point you put the cheese on it. Then I put it in the refrigerator.
When I got home from work, all I had to do was pull it out of the fridge and preheat the oven. I added a few minutes to the bake time because the casserole started cold. Everyone was a fan of this one.
The first time we had it everyone raved about it. Now I keep it in my back pocket for whenever I have some leftover poultry. So I pull it out a few times a year.
I think the boys in this house have limited memory, so they act like it is the first time they see it ever time. But they love it every time!
If you are looking for a quick and tasty way to change up leftovers, this is the recipe for you. But don’t let lack of leftovers get in your way. It is definitely worth cooking up some chicken breasts too.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes
If you like tasty and comforting meals like this one, you may also enjoy creamy one pot chicken and noodles. It is a stovetop meal that all comes together in one pot.
Or you could try MiMi’s creamy chicken pot pie. My siblings request that one for their birthday dinner and our friends always ask for it too!
Cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole is another all in one meal. We sure do love our cheesy chicken dishes.
Grandma was definitely on the right track sending us this one! I need to ask her if she has any more like this in her recipe box! What are some of your favorite ways to use up leftover chicken and turkey?
More Great Casserole Recipes
If you love a good casserole as much as we do, be sure to check out these recipes as well. They are all warm, filling and easy to throw together.
Pork chops and cheesy potato casserole make two of our favorites at once and they are even better together. All you need to do is make a vegetable and dinner is done!
No boil baked ziti is all of the flavor of the classic pasta main dish without the prep. You don’t have to boil the noodles or brown the meat, just put it all in the pan and let it bake to perfection.
Cheesy Alfredo stuffed shells are filled with lots of vegetables and topped with three cheeses to make creamy and delicious vegetarian meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh broccoli in this recipe?
Yes! If you prefer to use fresh broccoli instead of frozen broccoli florets, you can certainly do that. Fresh broccoli takes a little bit longer to cook though.
So if you want tender broccoli you may want to partially cook it before you add it to the casserole. You can steam it for a few minutes or put it in the microwave for a minute or two and then add it to the recipe.
Can I assemble this casserole ahead of time?
Of course. If you want to prepare the recipe ahead of time, just follow the instructions in the recipe card up until it goes in the oven. Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate.
Chill for up to two days. When ready to bake, take the casserole out of the refrigerator while preheating the oven to take the chill off.
Bake for 10 minutes with the foil on and then remove the foil from the baking dish and cook another 20 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
Love this recipe? Give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review in the recipe card below!
Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Ingredients
- 8 ounces egg noodles
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 1 onion chopped
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup milk
- 4 cups shredded chicken or turkey!
- 12 ounce package frozen broccoli thawed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cook egg noodles according to package directions to al dente. Drain and place in a greased 9×13" pan.8 ounces egg noodles
- Melt butter in a saucepan. Cook chopped onions in the melted butter until tender.3 Tablespoons butter, 1 onion
- Add flour and cook for about a minute, stirring frequently.¼ cup all purpose flour
- Pour in the chicken broth while stirring. Once the flour is incorporated into the broth, add milk and cook over medium heat until it begins to thicken, stirring frequently.1½ cups chicken broth, ¾ cup milk
- Distribute the cooked chicken and broccoli over noodles. Pour the creamy sauce over the top of the casserole.4 cups shredded chicken, 12 ounce package frozen broccoli
- Mix cheese together and sprinkle over the casserole.1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the sauce is bubble and the cheese is melted.
Laurie
Friday 25th of November 2022
I did not have success with this recipe. I made a half recipe but after it was cooked there was absolutely no sauce. Very dry and not much flavor. I will go back to my original Chicken Divan recipe.
Joan L Edwards
Tuesday 29th of March 2022
May you use Fettuccine instead of egg noodles?
Carlee
Tuesday 29th of March 2022
Sure! My mom has made this recipe with several different kinds of pasta.
Tillie
Tuesday 8th of March 2022
Excellent recipe! Hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed this. No modifications needed. Very tasty and flavorful! Yum!
Carlee
Wednesday 9th of March 2022
I am so glad you liked it!
Eyrica Abelovsky
Sunday 8th of August 2021
if using fresh broccoli does it need to be cooked first??
also looking at adding this to a freezer meal list im putting together for once the new baby is here> have you prepared and froze before ? any tips if you have ?
Carlee
Monday 9th of August 2021
It depends on what texture you like your broccoli to be. The bake time is long enough to cook it, but if you like your broccoli super soft you could pre-cook it a bit. Steam it for a few minutes on the stove or in the microwave then add it to the casserole.
Karen
Thursday 29th of July 2021
I just made this using fresh broccoli instead of thawed frozen. Here’s hoping!
Marie
Friday 29th of September 2023
@Karen, I added the fresh broccoli in the pot I was cooking my noodles in for about the last 3 minutes, I would then chop it up to the pieces I liked, I also added a little more chicken broth, added minced garlic to the onions also. It was very good.
Carlee
Thursday 29th of July 2021
I hope you enjoyed it!