Name: Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Brown Rice: 2 cups cooked, Chicken Breast: 2 cups cooked and shredded, Broccoli Florets: 3 cups fresh, Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon, Yellow Onion: 1 small, diced, Garlic: 2 cloves, minced, Greek Yogurt: 1 cup plain, Low-Fat Milk: ½ cup, Sharp Cheddar Cheese: ¾ cup shredded, Parmesan Cheese: ¼ cup grated, Dijon Mustard: ½ teaspoon, Salt: ½ teaspoon, Black Pepper: ¼ teaspoon, Paprika: ¼ teaspoon, Whole Wheat Breadcrumbs: ¼ cup (optional)

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If you’re searching for a creamy, comforting dish that leaves you feeling good from the inside out, look no further than this Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe. It features wholesome ingredients like brown rice, fresh broccoli, lean chicken, and a velvety sauce made with Greek yogurt for a nutritious twist. Each bite is savory, cheesy, and perfectly satisfying—proof that comforting classics can be both nourishing and absolutely delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is delightfully straightforward, but every ingredient pulls its weight in making the casserole wholesome, vibrant, and rich with flavor. Here’s what you’ll need, and why each one matters for the perfect Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe.

Cooked brown rice: Adds hearty texture and a nutty flavor, while packing in more fiber and nutrients than white rice.
Cooked and shredded chicken breast: Lean protein that turns the casserole into a filling and satisfying main course.
Fresh broccoli florets: Infuses the dish with color, crunch, and a burst of veggie goodness.
Olive oil: Used to sauté the onions and garlic, giving depth of flavor and richness without heaviness.
Yellow onion, diced: Provides a sweet aromatic base that elevates every bite.
Garlic, minced: For that essential punch of savory warmth that ties the sauce together.
Plain Greek yogurt: Creamy, tangy, and high in protein, this is the secret to a healthier sauce.
Low-fat milk: Keeps the sauce light, creamy, and just the right consistency.
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully into the sauce and adds irresistible richness.
Grated Parmesan cheese: A touch of salty umami flavor that deepens the cheesy goodness.
Dijon mustard: Brightens and balances the casserole with a bit of tang.
Salt, pepper, and paprika: The essential trio to season, enhance, and bring subtle warmth to every forkful.
Whole wheat breadcrumbs (optional): For a crunchy, golden topping—use gluten-free if needed.

How to Make Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Bakeware and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This ensures nothing sticks, and you get those wonderful crispy edges everyone loves in a casserole.

Step 2: Precook the Broccoli

Steam or blanch the broccoli florets for about 2 to 3 minutes—just until they’re bright green and slightly tender. This way, they stay vibrant and hold their texture once baked in the Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe.

Step 3: Sauté the Onion and Garlic

In a skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil and sauté the diced onion for 4 to 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and let it cook for just one more minute to release its fragrance, making the casserole wonderfully aromatic.

Step 4: Mix Everything Together

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine your cooked brown rice, shredded chicken, steamed broccoli, sautéed onion, and garlic. Add in the Greek yogurt, low-fat milk, shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir everything together until it’s fully mixed and looking colorful and creamy.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Spread the mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. If you love a crunchy top, sprinkle on whole wheat breadcrumbs. Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until it’s heated through and bubbling with melted cheese.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Let your Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe sit for about 5 minutes before serving. This makes it easier to cut and allows all the flavors to settle together in every delicious bite.

How to Serve Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

Brighten things up with a handful of freshly chopped parsley or a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese on top for a pop of color and flavor. A few turns of cracked black pepper over each serving bring out the cheesy aroma, making your Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe look as irresistible as it tastes.

Side Dishes

Serve with a simple side salad of baby greens and a citrusy vinaigrette to contrast the creamy casserole, or pair it with roasted carrots for extra color on your plate. Fresh fruit or a slice of crusty whole grain bread can round out the meal without overpowering all the savory, cheesy goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

For family dinners, serve this casserole straight from the oven in its bubbly baking dish. If you’re entertaining, try scooping portions into individual ramekins for a fun and elegant twist. You can even serve leftovers wrapped in whole grain tortillas for power-packed lunch wraps the next day!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Transfer any leftover Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe to airtight containers and keep it in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors mingle nicely, making reheated portions just as delicious as the day you baked it.

Freezing

This casserole freezes beautifully. Cool it completely, then cut into portions and wrap tightly or store in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to three months, and you’ll always have a healthy homemade meal ready to go when life gets busy.

Reheating

To reheat, simply place a portion in the microwave or the oven until it’s piping hot throughout. If reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator first. Add a splash of milk before reheating to restore creaminess if needed.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Absolutely! If you’re tight on time, frozen broccoli florets work well—just thaw and drain them thoroughly before adding to the casserole so you don’t get excess moisture.

Is there a way to make this casserole dairy-free?

Yes, you can substitute the Greek yogurt and milk with your favorite unsweetened dairy-free alternatives, like coconut yogurt and almond milk, and use a plant-based cheese to make the recipe fully dairy-free.

Can I substitute the brown rice with quinoa?

Definitely! Cooked quinoa is a fantastic swap and gives the casserole a slightly nuttier flavor while still keeping it filling and hearty.

Will this casserole work with other vegetables?

Of course—it’s very versatile. Try it with cauliflower, zucchini, or even sweet potato cubes. Just make sure to steam or sauté firmer veggies a bit first so they bake up tender.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

To make a gluten-free version of this Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe, simply skip the breadcrumbs or use a gluten-free alternative—everything else is naturally gluten-free!

Final Thoughts

Food that’s nourishing, easy, and absolutely crave-worthy deserves a permanent spot in your recipe collection, and that’s why I can’t recommend this Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe enough. Each pan is a celebration of wholesome ingredients and rich, cheesy flavor. Give it a try and make dinnertime something everyone at your table looks forward to all week!

Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 5 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole recipe is a delicious and nutritious twist on a classic comfort dish. Packed with protein from chicken and Greek yogurt, this casserole is a satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Brown Rice:

2 cups cooked,

Chicken Breast:

2 cups cooked and shredded,

Broccoli Florets:

3 cups fresh,

Olive Oil:

1 tablespoon,

Yellow Onion:

1 small, diced,

Garlic:

2 cloves, minced,

Greek Yogurt:

1 cup plain,

Low-Fat Milk:

½ cup,

Sharp Cheddar Cheese:

¾ cup shredded,

Parmesan Cheese:

¼ cup grated,

Dijon Mustard:

½ teaspoon,

Salt:

½ teaspoon,

Black Pepper:

¼ teaspoon,

Paprika:

¼ teaspoon,

Whole Wheat Breadcrumbs:

¼ cup (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Prepare broccoli: Steam or blanch broccoli until tender, then set aside.
Sauté onion and garlic: Heat olive oil in a skillet, sauté onion until soft, then add garlic.
Mix ingredients: In a bowl, combine rice, chicken, broccoli, onion mixture, yogurt, milk, cheeses, mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika.
Bake: Transfer mixture to baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, bake for 20–25 minutes.
Rest and serve: Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.