Description
This Loaded Chicken Casserole is a hearty, comforting meal featuring tender baked chicken breasts, roasted seasoned potatoes, vibrant broccoli florets, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar cheese. It combines simple ingredients into a flavorful layered dish that is easy to prepare and perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 3 large russet potatoes, diced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Optional: sour cream and chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) to get it ready for baking the potatoes and casserole.
- Prepare and bake the potatoes: Toss the diced russet potatoes with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika until evenly coated. Spread them out on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven until they’re tender and lightly golden, about 25-30 minutes.
- Mix the chicken and broccoli: In a large bowl, combine the diced chicken breasts and broccoli florets. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, mixing everything well to ensure the chicken and broccoli are evenly seasoned.
- Assemble and bake the casserole: Once the potatoes are cooked, transfer them to a baking dish. Layer the chicken and broccoli mixture evenly over the roasted potatoes. Return the dish to the oven and bake until the chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink in the center, about 20-25 minutes.
- Add cheese and bacon: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled cooked bacon evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake just until the cheese melts and bubbles, about 5-7 minutes.
- Garnish and serve: After baking, optionally garnish with a dollop of sour cream and some chopped green onions for a fresh finish. Serve warm and enjoy your loaded chicken casserole.
Notes
- You can pre-cook the bacon by frying it in a skillet or baking it on a separate sheet before crumbling for topping the casserole.
- Use fresh or frozen broccoli florets, just make sure to thaw if frozen before mixing with chicken.
- To speed up cooking, cut potatoes into smaller cubes to ensure they become tender faster.
- For extra flavor, add some chopped onions or a sprinkle of chili flakes to the chicken mixture.
- This casserole pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
