This broccoli casserole would be a great dish for my next potluck party, don’t you think! You can also leave out the chicken and turn it into a fully vegetarian oven bake.
So how about we make a gorgeous broccoli casserole today?
I have to admit that I don’t often prepare or cook with broccoli. The hubs isn’t that overly fond of it to be honest.
Broccoli Fan
He only likes it in crunchy stir fries with oyster sauce or in creamy Thai curries. But as soon as broccoli is cooked just a tad too soft for him, he won’t eat it. Not even if I add it to a potato mash.
But here I am, with a couple of leftovers in the fridge.
And In my kitchen nothing gets thrown out if I can still use it. So I jumped on the brainstorm train to come up with a husband proof broccoli dish he would eat.
I was first going to make a simple broccoli soup with shredded chicken and cheese.
However I make soups quite often as they are a quick and easy lunch idea.
Leftovers
Let’s see what I can find more.
Cooked rice, cooked chicken.
Some steamed (but still crunchy) broccoli florets. A large chunk of red bell pepper and a handful of fresh spring onion. And I just bought a bag of grated cheddar cheese for a bargain.
Perfect opportunity to make a creamy casserole for dinner today!
Creamy Chicken & Cheddar Broccoli Casserole
I whipped up a simple white sauce or bechamel.
It contains butter, flour and milk. I like it because it makes this casserole a bit creamier. I stirred the ingredients all together and then just baked the whole lot in a hot oven.
The broccoli casserole was super creamy and cheesy in the end. I liked the chunky chicken bits in it a lot!
Even the hubs didn’t complain.
Potluck
This broccoli casserole would be a great dish for my next potluck party actually.
Sure you can serve this casserole cold as well. Broccoli, chicken, cheese, rice: even kids will love it! Hey, you can also leave out the chicken and turn it into a vegetarian oven dish if you like.
Are you looking for another vegetable casserole that is totally vegetarian as well?
Then you should also check my sweet potato and feta casserole… I am absolutely certain that you will love that colorful potato bake too!
Try it.
Enjoy!
Easy Broccoli Casserole Recipe with Chicken & Cheddar
Another delicious dish to bring to your next potluck party!
- 10,5 oz broccoli florets (350 g), cooked
- 5,5 oz cheddar cheese (155 g), grated
- 4,5 oz cooked chicken (125 g)
- 3 oz red bell pepper (100 g), chopped
- 7 oz cooked rice (200 g)
- 1 medium spring onion chopped
- 1 medium garlic clove chopped
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 1 ⅓ cups whole milk (320 ml)
- celery salt
- smoked paprika powder
- nutmeg
- pepper
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Cut the broccoli florets and chicken into bite-size bits. Add this to a mixing bowl. Also add the cooked rice, spring onion, bell pepper and garlic. Stir well.
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Add the butter to a small pan. Place it over medium-low heat to melt. Then add the flour. Stir until you get a paste. Cook it for about a minute until it's a little golden. Then add the milk. Turn the heat up. Whisk the mixture firmly while it gets to a boil until it has thickened. Seasoning with a pinch or nutmeg, celery salt, pepper and smoked paprika to taste.
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Add the white sauce to the broccoli mixture. Also add about ¾ of the grated cheddar. Keep a handful aside to sprinkle on top of the broccoli casserole later on.
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Stir to coat everything in sauce. Pour the broccoli mixture in an oven dish. Spread it evenly. Add the remaining cheddar.
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Bake the casserole in a preheated oven at 356°F (180°C) for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted nicely. Divide it over plates. Sprinkle with extra pepper and celery salt. Serve.