Cheesy Chicken And Broccoli Casserole (No Condensed Soup!)

This cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole is the easiest way to turn leftover chicken into a creamy, satisfying dinner. Loaded with tender broccoli florets and sweet carrots, it's a high protein family meal everyone will actually ask for again. No condensed soup, no rice, just a silky homemade sauce that makes every bite completely irresistible.

🥘A Creamy Homemade Sauce (No Condensed Soup!)

Forget salty, processed canned soup--just like our Turkey Tetrazzini, this cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole gets its creamy texture from a simple homemade sauce you'll want to make again and again. A quick butter and flour roux gets a subtle kick from curry and onion powder, then chicken broth and evaporated milk. The result is a silky, velvety sauce that coats every bite in rich, cheesy flavor that makes this casserole kid-approved and incredibly delicious.

🥦Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor

This easy casserole recipe keeps things simple by using leftover chicken, defrosted broccoli florets, and canned carrots for a fuss-free dinner. You can use pre-shredded cheese to save time, but shredding it yourself creates an even creamier, more melty texture. It's proof that a handful of simple ingredients can still deliver serious comfort food flavor!

☑️Freezer-Friendly and Totally Customizable

Just like Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole, this cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole is family friendly. It also freezes beautifully for an easy make-ahead dinner option on busy weeknights. Swap in your favorite cheese (Monterey Jack and Sharp Cheddar are good choices), toss in canned mushrooms, or use whatever frozen veggies you have on hand. You can even switch up the protein, making this recipe endlessly adaptable to whatever your family loves.

🥘Just Pantry Ingredients Needed

• Butter: Forms the base of the roux, giving the sauce a rich, silky foundation.
• Flour: Thickens the roux so the sauce turns silky and coats every bite instead of running thin.
• Onion powder: Adds savory depth of flavor without the extra prep of chopping fresh onion.
• Curry powder: Brings a subtle warmth and complexity that takes the sauce beyond basic cheese sauce.
• Salt and pepper: Season and balance all the other flavors in the dish.
• Canned carrots: Offers convenient sweetness and color without any extra prep or cook time.
• Evaporated milk: Creates a rich, creamy texture in the sauce without the heaviness of heavy cream.
• Low sodium chicken broth: Thins the sauce to the perfect consistency while giving you control over the final salt level.
• Defrosted frozen broccoli florets: Adds a hearty, nutritious veggie component that's ready to go with no chopping required.
• Leftover chicken: Turns extra chicken into a high protein, no-waste dinner in minutes.
• Colby jack cheese: Melts into a gooey, creamy layer that ties the whole casserole together.

See recipe card for quantities.

🔪How To Make Cheesy Chicken And Broccoli Casserole

Step 1: Melt butter; stir in flour and seasonings to make a simple roux. Then add the milk, broth, and carrots.

Step 2: Once the mixture has thickened, add the chicken and half of the cheese; stir until cheese melts.

Step 3: Add the broccoli; mix well.

Step 4: Transfer mixture to oven-safe casserole dish.* Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake until bubbly.

For step-by-step instructions, see the printable recipe card below.

*Hint: I like to make this cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole in my 5 quart, oven-safe nonstick copper saucepan. That way, I can use one pan for the entire recipe. If you don't have this option, bake your casserole in a greased 13x9 or 4 quart casserole dish

🌿Ingredient Substitutions

• Rotisserie chicken instead of leftover chicken: A quick, flavorful swap when you don't have leftovers on hand, and it shreds easily right into the casserole.
• Fresh broccoli instead of frozen: Steam or blanch fresh florets until just tender for a brighter color and slightly firmer bite.
• Half-and-half instead of evaporated milk: Delivers a similarly rich, creamy texture if evaporated milk isn't in your pantry. Bring close to room temperature before adding to prevent curdling.

📖Easy Recipe Variations

• Broccoli Cheddar Twist: Swap the Colby jack for sharp cheddar and add a pinch of nutmeg (instead of the curry) for a broccoli cheddar soup-inspired flavor.
• Loaded Veggie Version: Stir in drained, canned mushrooms, defrosted frozen peas, or precooked diced bell peppers for extra texture and nutrition.
• Turkey & Stuffing Swap: Use leftover turkey instead of chicken and top with crushed stuffing mix instead of cheese for a post-Thanksgiving spin.

Be sure to check out our extensive leftover chicken recipe collection! Click HERE for Part 1 and HERE for Part 2!

🍽Essential Equipment Needed

• large, nonstick saucepan
• 4-5 quart casserole dish OR 13x9 pan, lightly greased
• cheese grater

🍶Storing Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Allow to completely cool, then store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Can also be frozen for up to 2 months in freezer-safe packaging (when ready to enjoy, simply defrost overnight in the fridge).

To reheat, add a splash or two of extra chicken broth to thin the sauce and break up clumps. Cover with foil and bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until heated through.

❓Cheesy Chicken And Broccoli Casserole FAQ

🥄More Casserole Recipes

Looking for other easy casserole recipes like this? Try these, or head over to our Casseroles page:

🍴Pairing With this Meal

These are my favorite side dishes to serve with Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole:

📋Recipe With Step-By-Step Instructions

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Kitchen Ready Betty

This cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole is the easiest way to turn leftover chicken into a creamy, comforting dinner. Made without rice or canned condensed soup, it features tender vegetables tossed in a silky, homemade cheese sauce that everyone will love.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Rest Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Casserole, Main Dishes

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 437 kcal

Equipment

• cutting board
• chef's knife
• large, nonstick saucepan
• 4 quart casserole dish OR 13 x 9 baking pan (well greased)
• box grater

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Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ¼ cup (½ stick) butter
• ¼ cup flour
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon curry powder
• dash ground pepper
• 12 oz evaporated milk
• ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
• 8 oz canned sodium-free carrot slices drained
• 3 cups precooked chicken cut into bite sized pieces
• 8 oz Colby Jack cheese shredded; divided
• 12 oz frozen broccoli florets defrosted and patted dry

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375℉.
• Melt butter in large saucepan. Add flour, onion powder, salt, curry powder, and pepper. Stir over low heat until a thin paste forms.
• Slowly add milk and chicken broth; blend until smooth. Add carrots. Cook and stir over medium heat until sauce begins to thicken.
• Remove from heat. Stir in the precooked chicken and 4 oz of the cheese. Blend until cheese is melted, then add broccoli. Mix well.
• Transfer mixture to casserole dish. Top with remaining 4 oz shredded cheese.
• Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes or until casserole is bubbling and slightly browned on top. Allow to stand 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

I like to make this cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole in a 5 quart, oven-safe nonstick saucepan. That way, I can use one pan for the entire recipe.

Allow to completely cool, then store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Can also be frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat, add a splash or two of extra chicken broth to thin the sauce and break up clumps. Cover with foil and bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until heated through.

For the creamiest, most velvety sauce, skip the pre-shredded bag and shred your cheese yourself. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in anti-caking agents that can make sauces grainy instead of smooth.

Nutrition

Calories: 437kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 32gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 875mgPotassium: 826mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 7440IUVitamin C: 55mgCalcium: 455mgIron: 1mg

Keyword cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole, chicken broccoli casserole no rice, chicken casserole without soup, creamy chicken and broccoli, easy chicken broccoli bake, frozen broccoli casserole, homemade cheese sauce casserole, leftover chicken casserole, no rice chicken casserole, weeknight chicken dinner

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_{Please note that nutritional information is provided by a third party service and is intended for guidance purposes only. KitchenReadyBetty.com makes no claims to its accuracy.}