Sometimes you just need a hearty, cozy casserole in your life to make everything better. This baked potato chicken and broccoli casserole is the ultimate mashup of some of comfort food’s biggest icons. We’re talking fluffy mashed potatoes, tender chicken, crisp-tender broccoli, plenty of crispy bacon bits, and a cheesy, melty crown to rule them all. It’s downright decadent in the most glorious way!
This is the kind of all-in-one dish that’ll have everyone happily piling their plates high. It’s familiar, satisfying flavors and that undeniable crave-worthy factor that only loads of creamy mashed potatoes can provide. Paired with the savory chicken, bright broccoli, salty bacon crunch and gooey cheese blanket, you’ve got all the comforting bases covered.
The beauty lies in this casserole’s simplicity too. Most of the heavy lifting is done by using pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken, so it’s just a matter of boiling some potatoes and roasting or steaming the broccoli while that’s happening. From there you just mash those taters up with some luscious sour cream, butter, garlic and paprika until they’re light and fluffy.
Then you’ll toss all those irresistible goodies together – the creamy mashed potatoes, broccoli florets, chicken chunks and crispy bacon bits. Give it a good stir to evenly disperse it all, dollop it into a baking dish and sprinkle over a shower of cheese. Just like that, you’ve got a one-way ticket to cozy town!
While it’s not the speediest weeknight option, the prep is still pretty straightforward and kid-friendly. Most of the cooking time is hands-off while everything bakes up to melty, bubbling perfection. It also makes for a great make-ahead dish to stash in the fridge and bake off stress-free later. Just pop it in the oven when you need a hearty dose of comfort pronto.
No matter when or how you serve it, every cheesy, bacon-flecked bite is quintessential stick-to-your-ribs satisfaction. The kind of homey, nostalgic dish that instantly transports you back to childhood. Or makes you wish your childhood smelled like this heavenly casserole wafting from the kitchen!
It hits all those cozy, comforting notes we crave – the pillowy mashed potato base, the timeless chicken-and-cheesy-broccoli combo, and just enough crispy, salty bacon crunch to make it insanely craveable. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or hosting a crowd, this baked potato chicken and broccoli casserole is guaranteed to leave them full, happy and begging for leftovers!
Baked Potato Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs red potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 tbsp butter, room temperature
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2-1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 medium head of broccoli, cut into florets (2-3 cups)
- 3 cups cooked, chopped chicken
- 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, etc), divided
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 2qt baking dish.
- Boil the potato pieces until fork tender, 10-15 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
- While potatoes boil, roast/steam broccoli until crisp-tender. Cook bacon until crispy.
- Mash the drained potatoes over low heat. Mix in butter, sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic and paprika until fluffy.
- Stir in the broccoli, chicken, bacon and 1 cup of the shredded cheese.
- Transfer to prepared baking dish and top with remaining 1 cup cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until hot and melty in the center.
- Let cool 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
There you have it – the ultimate cozy, indulgent, make-ahead crowd pleaser of a casserole! One bite of these irresistible loaded baked potato chicken and broccoli vibes and you’ll be an instant fan.
Can I freeze this