Cubed chicken breasts, fresh broccoli florets and carrots are tossed in a parmesan cheese white sauce and baked in a casserole dish until golden brown.
Chicken and broccoli with white sauce
If you’re looking for a quick and comforting dinner, this Chicken and Broccoli in White Sauce recipe is the one for you. Tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and a creamy, savory white sauce come together in just 30 minutes for a meal that’s both easy to make and packed with flavor. The best part? It’s all made with simple, wholesome ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!
This cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious but don’t want to spend hours cooking. Serve parmesan chicken and broccoli over steamed rice or noodles to soak up every last drop of that luscious white sauce. It’s a family-friendly meal that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Looking for more easy dishes with broccoli? Try my buttery garlic pasta with broccoli and crockpot cheesy chicken and broccoli next!
Chicken and broccoli casserole Ingredients
- Chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking. You can also use chicken thighs for a juicier option.
- Broccoli florets, fresh is always better, but frozen broccoli works too. If using frozen, thaw and pat dry to prevent extra water in the sauce.
- Carrots, adds sweetness, color, and crunch to the dish. Slice them evenly into skinny discs so they are fully cooked.
- Heavy Cream and Parmesan Cheese makes the creamy cheese sauce.
- Other kitchen basics: olive oil, minced garlic, butter and salt and pepper.
How to Make Chicken and broccoli with white sauce
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken that’s been seasoned with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
While the oven preheats, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, cooking until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
In a 11×13 baking dish, layer the broccoli and carrots on the bottom, and then the cooked chicken on top. Even though I mentioned it above, I want to mention again that you want to slice the carrots thin so they will be fully cooked in 20 minutes. Don’t yell at me if your carrots aren’t cooked – slice them thin!
Note: When it’s sugar pea season in the garden I add a handful of chopped up sugar snap peas into the baking dish too! It adds really nice crunch!
Pour the creamy sauce over the vegetables and chicken.
And then stir to coat everything in the cheesy cream sauce.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving as is, or serve with hot rice or noodles. Enjoy!
Storing leftovers
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container, good in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, and add a splash of chicken broth or milk if the sauce thickens too much. Alternatively, reheat in the microwave until warm.
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Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole with White Sauce
PrintIngredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1- 1.5 pound chicken breast (boneless, skinless) cubed in bite size pieces
- 1 large head broccoli cut into small florets
- 2 carrots peeled, sliced into thin discs
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken that's been seasoned with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Melt butter in a medium sized saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese to the pan, stirring until thickened and creamy.
- In a 11×13 baking dish, layer your broccoli and carrots on the bottom, followed by the cooked chicken on top.
- Pour the creamy sauce on top of the vegetables and stir to fully coat.
- Bake for 20 minutes, allowing to cool a few minutes. Serve as is, or with rice or noodles. Enjoy!
Monica says
Just made chicken and broccoli tonight for my husband since little one is under the weather and I had some leftovers to pull it together. Your white sauce is such a great spin – we’d love to try it and I’m sure it’s delicious! And homegrown carrots in this temperature is awe-inspiring! Stay warm.
Amy (Savory Moments) says
I pretty much love anything covered in a cream sauce, but especially when it includes broccoli. This looks really delicious!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Now THIS is what I want for dinner! YUM!
Suzanne says
Yummy!! Love creamy sauce with veggies.
The Sketched Chef says
This is really interesting!
I also love the colours of the whole dish.
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Chicken and Broccoli is always what I order at Chinese restaurants. This creamy white sauce looks extra good.
Debra says
Anything is better with heavy cream and parm!!!!!
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says
Well, it does sound like you were fated to make this!! I’ve never heard of such a thing at a Chinese restaurant. Sounds wonderful!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says
Simple and delicious! But how do you grow a garden in the winter time? (says the girl with the black thumb)
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
I’ve heard of people ordering chicken and broccoli in white sauce but just always thought they were weirdos… apparently it’s a real thing, haha! This looks great!
And by the way, I so LOVE that distressed wood backdrop you used in the photos. SO cool!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
I will pass this nutritious recipe to my sister, she loves chicken/veggies combo. For my “vegetarian needs” I will just substitute chicken with tofu and et voila’, a great dish for me!
Serena @ Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
This looks divine and I am so inspired to try and grow through the winter next year! Envious of your garden fresh veggies!
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com says
Oh wow – yalls greenhouse is incredible! Veggie growing in the snow and cold deserves an award and so does this dish! I too adore broccoli, but I must confess, I have never baked it – ever! Thanks for sharing Pamela
2 Sisters Recipes says
We love chicken and broccoli! Sounds amazing!! I have to make this one soon! Love your roof top garden- genius!!
Beth says
Wow, it looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it for my family.
(And I can’t believe you’re still growing vegetables!)
Ashley says
I have never heard of chicken and broccoli in white sauce either! I love regular chicken and broccoli so I have a feeling I would definitely enjoy this : )
Traci says
What a great recipe. I am always looking for side dishes and this would be a great one. Pinned it for later consumption. 🙂 And seriously? I had NO idea that you could grow a garden in winter. Learned something new today!
Ash-foodfashionparty says
Seriously, are the vegetable still growing, so so jealous…I could not grow cilantro in beautiful California weather..haha.
The dish looks so comforting and yummy.
Jersey Girl Cooks says
Yum. Chicken and broccoli is a great combination. It sounds extra good with the white sauce.
The Squishy Monster says
I’m incredibly impressed that you’re still growing veggies—go you! This dish looks amazing too!
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent says
This looks absolutely delicious. So jealous of your fresh vegetables 🙂
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
Huge thing of broccoli in my fridge! You’ve just inspired me to whip something up though I may attempt dairy-free with nutritional yeast:)
Mary Frances says
Those veggies covered in that cream sauce looks so.good.right.now. I was pleasantly surprised at how simple this dish is, because your pictures make it look so fancy! P.S. the lighting in these is fabulous!
Cecile @ My Yellow Farmhouse says
Talk about Comfort Food ! And this is a great dish to prepare for guests!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I love chicken and brocolli together. I would serve this on top of a big mound of fluffy, white rice. Yum!
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
Chicken and Broccoli in White Sauce at a Chinese restaurant is new to me too! Buutt I’ll take it, I love a good chicken and broccoli casserole, so this is right up my alley! P.S I can’t believe you are still growing veggies, you must have one serious green thumb.
marcie says
This looks delicious, Pamela! What a great one dish meal packed with veggies!
Hallie @ The Wordy Baker says
I love the Excellent Dumpling House! But I’m not sure if I’ve ever had their chicken in white sauce…
Francine says
Interesting! I’ve never heard of this either. It sounds like an Italian dish (like a pasta primavera or something). Looks good!
Zainab @ Blahnik Baker says
This looks so delicious! I’m always looking for new ways to make chicken and feed the boy broccoli! This is perfect.