Creamy Chicken Bake Supreme: 5 star comfort

Hey there, friends! Jordan Bell here, coming to you from Asheville, North Carolina. You know, I used to think comfort food meant piling on the pounds. After losing a good 80 pounds myself, I learned that wasn’t true at all! That’s how my blog, Easy Detox Recipes, was born – I wanted to show everyone that we can absolutely enjoy those delicious, soulful Southern dishes we love, but in a way that feels good for our bodies. And today, I’m so excited to share a dish that perfectly embodies that philosophy: the Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme. It’s got all that rich, cheesy goodness you crave, but with a lighter touch that’ll leave you feeling satisfied, not stuffed. Get ready to meet your new favorite weeknight dinner!

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme

Seriously, this casserole is a winner for so many reasons! It’s incredibly easy to throw together, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when you just want something delicious on the table without a fuss. Plus, it’s packed with flavor that’ll make your taste buds sing – tender chicken, crisp-tender broccoli, and that dreamy, cheesy sauce? Oh my. And the buttery cracker topping? Pure magic!

• Super easy to make – weeknight friendly!
• Packed with satisfying, classic comfort food flavors.
• A lighter take on a beloved American classic.
• Perfect for feeding the whole family or for meal prep.

A Taste of Southern Comfort, Made Healthier

Growing up in the South, I learned to love food that warms you from the inside out. Those rich, comforting dishes are part of my heritage! But after my own journey to a healthier lifestyle, I knew I had to find a way to enjoy those flavors without the heaviness. That’s where my passion for taking traditional recipes and giving them a clean, lighter makeover really shines. The Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme is a perfect example. I’ve tweaked it just enough so you get all that decadent, soul-satisfying taste you expect, but you’ll feel fantastic after eating it. It’s about enjoying the best of both worlds – incredible flavor and feeling great!

Gather Your Ingredients for Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme

Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready for this amazing Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme! Having everything prepped and ready to go is half the battle, and it makes the whole cooking process so much smoother. You’ll want to grab these goodies:

Ingredient	Quantity	Preparation
Fresh broccoli	1 lb	Cut into bite-sized florets
Cooked chicken	3 cups	Cubed or shredded
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese	3 cups, divided
Butter (for sauce)	⅓ cup
Cornstarch	¼ cup
Cold water	½ cup
Milk	2 cups
Chicken broth	⅓ cup
Salt	¼ tsp
Black pepper	¼ tsp
Ritz crackers	2 sleeves	Crushed
Butter (for topping)	½ cup (1 stick)	Melted
Poppy seeds (optional)	1 tbsp

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Now, let’s chat about a few of these ingredients. For the broccoli, fresh is best here for that perfect crisp-tender bite, but if you’re in a pinch, you can use about 1 ½ pounds of frozen broccoli florets – just make sure to thaw and drain them really well. As for the chicken, a rotisserie chicken is a lifesaver for this dish! For the crackers, if Ritz aren’t your jam or you can’t find them, buttery crackers like saltines or even some whole wheat crackers will work in a pinch, just crush ’em up good. And when it comes to milk, any kind works, but I prefer whole milk or 2% for that extra creaminess. You can even use unsweetened almond or soy milk if you need to keep it dairy-free, though the sauce might not be quite as rich.

Crafting Your Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme: Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get this party started! Making this Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme is a breeze, and honestly, it’s pretty fun. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a bubbling, cheesy masterpiece ready in no time.

Preparing the Broccoli and Chicken Base

First things first, let’s get that oven preheated to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grab your 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a good grease. Now, for the broccoli. You want to steam those florets for just about 2 minutes – you’re aiming for “crisp-tender,” not mushy! A quick steam keeps them bright green and gives them just the right amount of bite. Drain them really well; nobody likes a watery casserole. Once drained, spread the steamed broccoli and your cooked chicken evenly across the bottom of that prepared dish. This is the delicious foundation of our bake!

Creating the Rich Cheese Sauce

Time to make the magic happen! In a medium saucepan, melt that ⅓ cup of butter over medium heat. While it’s melting, grab a small bowl and whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until you have a smooth slurry. This is key to getting a nice, thick sauce without lumps. Pour that slurry into the melted butter, then whisk in the milk, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Keep whisking constantly! You’ll see it start to thicken up beautifully in about 5–7 minutes. Once it’s nice and thick, turn the heat down to low and stir in 1 ½ cups of that sharp cheddar cheese. Keep stirring until it’s all melted and you’ve got a super smooth, creamy cheese sauce. Mmm, smells good already!

Assembling the Bake Supreme

Now for the fun part – putting it all together! Carefully pour that glorious, cheesy sauce evenly over the chicken and broccoli layer in your baking dish. Make sure it coats everything nicely. Then, sprinkle the remaining 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese all over the top. This layer is going to get all melty and delicious under that crunchy topping!

Topping and Baking to Golden Perfection

For that irresistible crunch, let’s make the topping. In a bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted ½ cup of butter. If you’re feeling fancy, toss in those optional poppy seeds too! Mix it all up until those crumbs are fully coated in buttery goodness. Sprinkle this glorious mixture evenly over the cheese layer. Now, pop that dish into your preheated oven. Bake it uncovered for about 25–30 minutes. You’re looking for it to be hot, bubbly around the edges, and that cracker topping should be a lovely golden brown. That’s your cue it’s ready!

The Importance of Resting

Almost there! Once it comes out of the oven, resist the urge to dig in immediately (I know, it’s tough!). Let the casserole rest for a few minutes, maybe 5 to 10. This little bit of patience allows the sauce to set up a bit more, making it easier to serve and preventing everything from sliding apart. Trust me, it’s worth the wait for that perfect slice!

Essential Equipment for Your Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme

You don’t need a whole lot of fancy gadgets for this Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme, but having the right tools makes the job so much easier! Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

• A good 9×13 inch baking dish – this is your casserole MVP!
• A medium saucepan for whipping up that dreamy cheese sauce.
• A small bowl for making that cornstarch slurry.
• A whisk – essential for a smooth sauce!
• A sturdy spoon for stirring and mixing.
• A measuring cup set and spoons for accuracy.
• A knife and cutting board for prepping your broccoli.
• A steamer basket or method for cooking your broccoli crisp-tender.
• A separate bowl for crushing your crackers and mixing the topping.

Frequently Asked Questions about Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme

Got questions about this amazing Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme? I’ve got answers! This dish is pretty forgiving, but here are a few things folks often wonder about:

Q: Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Absolutely! If you’re short on time or fresh broccoli isn’t available, frozen works great. Just make sure you thaw it completely and drain off *all* the excess water. Squeeze it gently if you have to! You might need to steam it for a minute or two longer than fresh, but aim for that same crisp-tender texture.

Q: What kind of chicken is best for this bake?

Honestly, any cooked chicken will do! Leftover roasted chicken is fantastic. A store-bought rotisserie chicken is a total game-changer for speed and flavor. You can also boil or bake chicken breasts or thighs yourself and then cube or shred them. Just make sure it’s fully cooked before it goes into the casserole.

Q: Can I make this dairy-free? I’m trying to avoid dairy.

That’s a great question! You can definitely adapt it. For the sauce, use your favorite unsweetened dairy-free milk (like almond, soy, or oat milk) and swap the cheddar cheese for a good melting dairy-free shredded cheddar alternative. For the topping, use a dairy-free butter substitute. It won’t be *exactly* the same creamy texture, but it’ll still be delicious!

Q: Can I prepare this Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme ahead of time?

You sure can! You can assemble the whole casserole (up to adding the cracker topping) and cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil. Stick it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit out for about 20-30 minutes to take the chill off, then add the cracker topping and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed.

Nutritional Snapshot of Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme

Now, let’s talk about what’s in your bowl! This Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme is pure comfort food, and while it’s a fantastic, satisfying meal, it does come with some nutritional considerations. These numbers are estimates, of course, and can totally change depending on the brands you use and exact portion sizes, but they give you a good idea of what you’re working with. It’s a good reminder that enjoying these rich dishes in moderation is key!

Nutrient	Approximate Value
Serving Size	1 serving
Calories	500-600
Fat	35-45g
Saturated Fat	20-25g
Carbohydrates	20-30g
Fiber	3-5g
Protein	30-40g
Sodium	800-1000mg
Sugar	5-10g
Cholesterol	100-150mg

Storing and Reheating Your Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme

Leftovers of this amazing Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Bake Supreme are a gift that keeps on giving! If you happen to have any (which is rare in my house!), storing them is super simple. Just let the casserole cool down a bit after serving, then pop it into an airtight container. Pop that into the fridge, and it should be good for up to three days. It’s perfect for lunch the next day!

Reheating is just as easy and gets you back to that fresh-baked goodness. The best way is usually in the oven. Just pop your leftovers into an oven-safe dish, cover it loosely with foil (to keep that topping from getting too dark), and bake at 350°F (175°C) until it’s heated all the way through. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes, but keep an eye on it. I don’t really recommend freezing this one because the creamy sauce and cracker topping can get a bit weird texture-wise after thawing, but the fridge works like a charm!

Storage Method	Timeframe	Reheating Method
Refrigerator	Up to 3 days	Oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. Cover loosely with foil.
Freezer	Not recommended

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