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Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Bake in a white tray.

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Bake

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 26 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 340
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs Boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 cups Fresh broccoli florets cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup Yellow onion finely diced
  • 3/4 cup Plain Greek yogurt or light cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup Low-moisture mozzarella cheese shredded (divided)
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated (divided)
  • 1 tsp Dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper

Method
 

  1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with a small drizzle of olive oil.
  2. Mix the Sauce: In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine the plain Greek yogurt, minced garlic, diced onion, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
  3. Layer the Pan: Place the cubed raw chicken breasts and fresh broccoli florets directly into the prepared baking dish. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and toss lightly to coat.
  4. Coat Evenly: Pour the creamy yogurt mixture over the chicken and broccoli. Use a flexible spatula to mix and spread the sauce evenly so every single piece is well-coated.
  5. Add the Cheese Top: Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top of the casserole.
  6. Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. The chicken should be cooked through (reaching an internal temperature of 165°F) and the cheese layer on top should be bubbling and beautifully golden brown.
  7. Rest & Serve: Remove from the oven and let the bake rest for 5 minutes at room temperature before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Prevent Soggy Broccoli: Use fresh, raw broccoli florets. They roast and steam perfectly in the chicken's natural juices. If using frozen broccoli, thaw completely and press firmly with paper towels to wring out all excess moisture before adding.
  • Greek Yogurt Success: Use full-fat or 2% plain Greek yogurt. Non-fat yogurt lacks stability and is more likely to break or curdle slightly under high oven heat.
  • Chicken Prep Tip: Cut the chicken into uniform 1-inch cubes so it cooks at the exact same rate as the broccoli florets, ensuring juicy meat and crisp-tender vegetables.
  • Make-Ahead Strategy: Assemble the entire casserole (minus the final cheese topping) up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then add the remaining cheese just before popping it into the oven. Add 5 minutes to the total baking time if cooking straight from the fridge.