Description
A comforting and flavorful Creamy Ranch Chicken & Broccoli Bake featuring tender chicken breasts and fresh broccoli florets smothered in a rich ranch and cream cheese sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese and optional crunchy breadcrumbs for a delightful twist on a classic casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Veggies
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups broccoli florets
Dressing and Cheese
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Topping (Optional)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare creamy ranch sauce: In a large mixing bowl, blend together ranch dressing, softened cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Arrange chicken: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and place the chicken breasts in a single layer. Season the chicken with additional salt and pepper if preferred.
- Add broccoli: Evenly distribute the broccoli florets over the chicken breasts in the baking dish.
- Coat with ranch mixture: Pour the creamy ranch sauce over the chicken and broccoli, making sure everything is well coated with the mixture.
- Add cheese and breadcrumbs: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly on top for extra crunch.
- Cover and bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through, and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- For a crispier topping, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes after baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Use fresh or frozen broccoli depending on availability; if using frozen, thaw and drain excess moisture before adding.
- Can be served with a side of rice or crusty bread for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- To reduce calories, use reduced-fat cheese and ranch dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: creamy ranch chicken casserole, broccoli chicken bake, ranch chicken bake, chicken and broccoli casserole, easy baked chicken recipe
