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A warm, bubbly chicken broccoli casserole in a white baking dish.

Classic Chicken & Cracker Casserole

This comforting casserole features tender chicken and broccoli in a creamy sauce, topped with a cheesy, buttery cracker crust. Perfect for a weeknight meal, it's easy to assemble and packed with flavor.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Large Pan
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • 9x13 inch Baking Dish
  • Small Bowl
  • Ice Water Bath (optional)

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 2-3 cups cooked chicken shredded or diced
  • 4-5 cups broccoli florets fresh or frozen (blanched if fresh, thawed if frozen)
  • 1 small onion diced (optional)
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded (divided)
  • Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder to taste

Cracker Topping

  • 1 sleeve (about 1.5 cups) butter crackers like Ritz, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) as the first step.
  • If using fresh broccoli, blanch it in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then immediately cool it in ice water; if using frozen, simply thaw and drain it well.
  • If desired, sauté the diced onion until soft, then add minced garlic and cook for one additional minute until fragrant.

Assembly

  • In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, prepared broccoli, sautéed aromatics (if used), cream of chicken soup, milk, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, and seasonings, mixing gently until everything is well coated.
  • Pour this mixture evenly into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole.
  • In a small separate bowl, mix the crushed butter crackers with the melted butter, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the cheese layer.

Baking & Serving

  • Bake the casserole for 25-35 minutes, or until it is bubbling around the edges and the cracker topping is golden brown and crispy.
  • Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to let it set.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the chicken mixture. You can also substitute cream of mushroom soup for cream of chicken if you prefer. This casserole is great for meal prepping and reheats well.