Can I use a different protein?

Sure. Leftover turkey or ham would be delicious substitutes for the chicken in this casserole.

We don't like broccoli. Is there a good substitute?

Choose a vegetable that is firmer, like finely chopped cauliflower, half-inch cubes of sweet potatoes, and/or grated carrots. Choose something that is firm and doesn't release too much moisture while it's cooking, so the crust doesn't get soggy. You could also do a combination of several vegetables if you like.

Can I use homemade cream of chicken soup?

Absolutely. Just use 21 oz. (about 2 2/3 cups) of homemade cream of ... soups.

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

I haven't tried this, but my guess is it will release quite a bit of moisture. If I were using frozen broccoli, I would probably cook it in the microwave first, then drain off the liquid before adding it to the casserole. And the florets will need to be chopped into smaller pieces, as frozen broccoli pieces are usually quite large.

Chicken Casserole Recipe (Chicken Broccoli Cheese Casserole)

Name: Chicken Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 crescent roll sheet; 1 cup minced red onion; 2 cups finely diced fresh broccoli; 3 to 4 cups precooked chicken or rotisserie chicken, shredded or diced; 2 (10.5 oz.) cans cream of … soup (I mix cream of chicken and cream of mushroom.); 1 (8 oz.) block cream cheese; 1 Tablespoon minced garlic; 8 oz. Extra Sharp Cheddar cheese, freshly grated; 1 (6 oz.) bag of French-fried onions

Description

Nourishing, comforting, quick and easy Chicken Casserole combines precooked (rotisserie) chicken, veggies, creamy sauce and cheese to make a delectable dish the whole family will love. The crust is store-bought crescent dough, and the casserole has a crunchy French-fried onion topping. This easy recipe is a busy-weeknight win that’s on the table in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Crust

1 crescent roll sheet

For the Vegetable Layer

1 cup minced red onion
2 cups finely diced fresh broccoli

For the Chicken Layer

3 to 4 cups precooked chicken or rotisserie chicken, shredded or diced
2 (10.5 oz.) cans cream of … soup (I mix cream of chicken and cream of mushroom.)
1 (8 oz.) block cream cheese
1 Tablespoon minced garlic

For the Topping

8 oz. Extra Sharp Cheddar cheese, freshly grated
1 (6 oz.) bag of French-fried onions

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375° and lightly grease a 9×13 baking pan.
Unroll a crescent roll sheet and press it into the bottom of the pan.
Evenly sprinkle minced onion over the dough, and then the chopped broccoli over the onions.
Combine the cream soup with the softened cream cheese until it is smooth and creamy. Stir in the minced garlic and shredded chicken.
Spread the chicken mixture evenly over the broccoli layer.
Add the freshly grated Cheddar cheese over the chicken, spreading it evenly.
Bake at 375° for 25 minutes, then sprinkle on the French-fried onions and bake an additional 5 minutes. Keep an eye on the chicken casserole at this point, so the fried onions don’t burn.
The casserole is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°. It will be hot and bubbly around the edges, and the cheese will be melted.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Dish, Casserole, Chicken
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American