Healthy Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cooked skinless chicken breast
preferably organic, shredded or cubed
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tablespoon grass-fed butter
ghee or avocado oil
- 1 yellow onion
diced
- 5 fresh garlic cloves
minced
- 2 carrots
peeled and diced
- 1 cup Nancy's Organic Whole Milk Yogurt
- ½ cup Nancy's Organic Cultured Sour Cream
my favorite sour cream!
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
preferably organic, shredded
- 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
- 1 tablespoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon mineral-rich salt
my favorite salt
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Juice and zest of ½ lemon
- ½ to 1 cup cooked white rice – optional
I use this brand
Directions
- 1
Grease a 9x13 casserole dish with healthy fat of choice and set aside.
- 2
In a small saucepan, add a steamer basket, broccoli and enough water to steam the broccoli (usually about ½ cup to 1 cup water depending on the size of your pan). Cover with a lid, bring water to a boil and steam the broccoli for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and carefully remove the steamer basket with broccoli. Set aside.
- 3
While the broccoli is steaming, add healthy fat of choice to a saucepan and turn the stovetop to medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic and carrots, stirring occasionally for about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
- 4
In a large mixing bowl, add cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, onion-carrot mixture, yogurt, sour cream, 1 ½ cups shredded cheese, onion flakes, dill, sea salt, thyme, garlic powder, lemon juice, lemon zest, and optional cooked rice. Stir until fully combined and evenly distributed. Pour mixture into greased casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup shredded cheese over the top of the casserole. Bake at 375 degrees F for 40-50 minutes, or until the cheesy top is lightly golden brown. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Healthy Chicken Broccoli Casserole
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 524 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving a comforting classic that feels hearty and wholesome? This Healthy Chicken Broccoli Casserole delivers on all fronts, transforming simple ingredients into a deeply satisfying meal perfect for any night of the week.
Why This Casserole Hits the Spot
What sets this casserole apart is its clever use of a "real food secret ingredient" – a creamy blend of organic whole milk yogurt and cultured sour cream. This combination creates an incredibly rich, tangy, and luscious sauce without relying on processed ingredients. Coupled with pre-cooked chicken, it's a smart approach that simplifies your prep while still building complex, vibrant flavors from plenty of herby aromatics.
Get ready for a casserole that’s both wonderfully creamy and robustly flavorful. You'll enjoy tender pieces of chicken nestled among bright green broccoli florets and sweet diced carrots, all enrobed in a savory, cheesy sauce. The hint of lemon zest and juice, along with dried dill, thyme, and onion flakes, ensures every bite is lively and aromatic, a far cry from bland, one-note casseroles. It bakes up beautifully, emerging golden and bubbling, promising a cozy, satisfying experience for the whole family.
Customization & Variations
This versatile casserole offers easy ways to tailor it to your preferences. Feel free to vary the cooked chicken; whether shredded or cubed, it will be equally delicious. For an even heartier meal, incorporate the optional cooked white rice directly into the casserole mixture. If you're looking to modify the fat, you can use grass-fed butter, ghee, or avocado oil interchangeably. While Nancy's organic dairy is recommended, using other good quality full-fat yogurt and sour cream will also yield excellent results.
Serve this comforting casserole as the star of a family dinner or a cozy weeknight meal. Its rich flavors and satisfying textures make it a complete meal on its own, but a simple green salad would be a fresh complement.