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Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

This casserole is a hit with my whole family. Even my children enjoy eating their broccoli with this homemade meal.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 39 minutes
Total Time 54 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6 people
Calories 4624 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot For cooking pasta
  • 1 Saucepan For preparing the cheese sauce
  • 1 Large Skillet For cooking chicken and broccoli
  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish For assembling and broiling the casserole
  • 1 Whisk For smoothly incorporating flour and liquids into the sauce

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 16 ounce package rotini pasta, uncooked
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cups broccoli florets finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • ⅛ teaspoon chipotle chile powder Optional
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese shredded
  • ¼ cup onion finely diced
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 cup sour cream Optional

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook until al dente, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain, cover, and set aside until needed.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat, and stir in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add 1 cup broccoli; toss and cook just until tender, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle broccoli with flour, and cook 1 minute. Stir in the chicken broth, and bring to a boil. Pour in the milk, and stir to blend. Season with salt, pepper, and chipotle pepper powder, if desired. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer mixture until sauce thickens, 8 to 10 minutes. Mix in 1 cup Cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Remove from heat.
  • Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in another large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion, ground chicken, and remaining 1 cup of broccoli. Cook and stir until chicken is evenly browned and no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Reduce heat, and cook until liquid is reduced, about 5 minutes.
  • Preheat oven broiler to High. Lightly grease 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Toss the pasta with the broccoli sauce until evenly blended. Stir in the sour cream, if desired. Stir the broccoli sauce mixture into the chicken mixture. Spoon into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 1 cup Cheddar cheese.
  • Cook under preheated broiler until cheese melts and browns around the edges, 3 to 5 minutes.

Notes

Ensure pasta is cooked truly al dente; it will continue to cook under the broiler, preventing a mushy texture. For an even richer, sharper flavor, use freshly grated sharp Cheddar cheese instead of pre-shredded. To enhance the broccoli's flavor and texture, consider blanching it briefly before adding to the sauce or roasting a portion of it with a touch of garlic powder before combining with the chicken mixture. The chipotle chile powder offers a subtle warmth, but adjust quantity based on preferred spice level or omit for a milder dish. Monitor closely while broiling to achieve golden-brown cheese without burning.