Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe
If you’re craving cozy comfort food but want to skip the heavy calories, this Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole is destined to become your new go-to. Packed with lean chicken, vibrant broccoli, and a lighter creamy base featuring Greek yogurt, every forkful feels indulgent but keeps your health goals in check. Even better, it comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. You won’t believe something this easy and nutritious can taste so good!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole comes from a handful of simple and wholesome ingredients, each playing an important role. From the juicy chicken to the reduced-fat cheeses and whole wheat breadcrumbs, every item brings either flavor, creamy texture, or satisfying crunch.
- Cooked Chicken Breast: Lean protein that turns this from a side into a hearty main course; shredding makes for the best texture.
- Fresh Broccoli Florets: Lightly steamed for just-tender bite, broccoli adds color, nutrition, and freshness.
- Olive Oil: Used to sauté the onion and garlic and to toss the breadcrumbs, adding richness with a heart-healthy fat.
- Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and savoriness that builds flavor at the base.
- Garlic: A little bit goes a long way — brings a deep aromatic note to the casserole.
- Low-Sodium Cream of Chicken Soup: Delivers creaminess and ties everything together, but keeps salt in check.
- Plain Greek Yogurt: Gives a protein boost and silky texture, lightening up the usual heavy casseroles.
- Low-Fat Milk: Helps make the sauce pourable and creamy, without unnecessary fat.
- Reduced-Fat Cheddar Cheese: Adds that melty, cheesy goodness we all crave, but in a lighter way.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, nutty flavor for a savory finish.
- Dijon Mustard: A spoonful brings just the right pop of tangy depth to balance the rich sauce.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning, but kept to a minimum thanks to flavorful add-ins.
- Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and brightens up the overall flavor.
- Paprika: Not just for color — it imparts a subtle warmth throughout the casserole.
- Whole Wheat Breadcrumbs Tossed with Olive Oil: The crowning touch — these get golden and crispy, adding crave-worthy crunch to every bite.
How to Make Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Set your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. This ensures nothing sticks later, and the casserole will release in perfect, picture-worthy squares every time!
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Toss in the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté for about 3 minutes. You’re looking for soft and fragrant aromatics — they’ll deepen the base flavor of your Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole beautifully.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Mixture
In a big mixing bowl, combine the low-sodium cream of chicken soup, Greek yogurt, low-fat milk, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir until the sauce is smooth and free of lumps. This mixture keeps the casserole creamy without being heavy.
Step 4: Combine With Chicken, Broccoli, and Cheese
Add the cooked shredded chicken, lightly steamed broccoli florets, sautéed onion and garlic, cheddar cheese, and parmesan cheese right into the creamy base. Gently stir everything together — you want every veggie and chicken bite nestled in that luscious sauce.
Step 5: Assemble in the Baking Dish
Transfer your mixture to the prepped baking dish, spreading evenly from corner to corner. This ensures every serving is packed with both protein and veggies, so no one ends up with a bland scoop.
Step 6: Add That Crunchy Topping
Take your whole wheat breadcrumbs tossed with a teaspoon of olive oil and scatter them evenly over the top. This creates a crispy, toasty finish that elevates the Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole from good to absolutely craveable.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pop your casserole into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s hot, bubbly at the edges, and the topping turns a gorgeous golden brown. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
How to Serve Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or even thinly sliced green onions on top right before serving adds a fresh pop of color and flavor that makes each serving feel special. For a little extra zing, a squeeze of lemon can brighten the entire dish without overpowering it.
Side Dishes
This Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole is a meal on its own, but if you want to round out dinner, serve with a crisp green salad, roasted sweet potatoes, or lightly buttered whole grain rolls. A side of fruit salad is also perfect to complement its savory notes with a burst of freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Transform leftovers by scooping portions into ramekins for personalized mini-casseroles. These can be packed for lunches or served at brunch. Or, stuff the mixture into baked bell peppers for an eye-catching party appetizer that highlights all the flavors of the original dish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let any remaining Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to four days — it stays moist and flavorful even after a few days, making it a weeknight lifesaver!
Freezing
This casserole freezes beautifully. Simply wrap the cooled casserole (whole or in individual portions) in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, place your portion in the oven at 350°F, covered lightly with foil, until warmed through (about 20 minutes if reheating multiple servings). The microwave works for quick lunches, but the oven preserves that delightful crunchy topping you worked so hard for.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this casserole?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver, letting you skip the step of cooking chicken from scratch. Just shred it and proceed with the recipe as written for perfectly tender results.
Is there a way to make this casserole dairy free?
For a dairy-free version, opt for dairy-free yogurt, non-dairy milk, vegan cheese shreds, and use a dairy-free cream of chicken soup alternative. The Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole will still be creamy and satisfying!
What other vegetables work well in this casserole?
Add-ins like cauliflower florets, peas, or spinach blend beautifully into the dish. Just make sure any additional veggies are lightly cooked so they retain some texture without releasing too much water during baking.
Can I assemble this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the casserole completely up to the point of adding breadcrumbs, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add the breadcrumbs and pop it right into the oven — super convenient for meal prep or entertaining!
How do I make the casserole even lighter?
Try substituting half the chicken with cooked brown rice or quinoa and use part-skim cheeses. With all the flavor and half the calories, your Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole will be even more weeknight-friendly.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for a dish that’s wholesome, comforting, and crowd-pleasing, this Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole truly hits the spot. Give it a try — it might just become your new weeknight staple and a family favorite in no time!
Print
Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole is a comforting and nutritious dish that is perfect for a family dinner. Creamy and cheesy with the goodness of broccoli and tender chicken, this casserole is a wholesome meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, lightly steamed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10 oz) low-sodium cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup low-fat milk
- 1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs tossed with 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Mix Casserole Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine cream of chicken soup, Greek yogurt, milk, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir in chicken, broccoli, cheddar, and Parmesan.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Add Breadcrumb Topping: Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes until hot and bubbly with a golden topping.
- Serve: Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- To make it even lighter, substitute brown rice or quinoa for half of the chicken.
- Leftovers reheat well and make a great meal prep option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
