Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole Recipe

This Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole features a creamy cheese sauce, tender chicken, bright broccoli, and a crunchy breadcrumb and crispy onion topping. It’s ideal for a quick weeknight dinner, a way to use leftover poultry or ham, or a make-ahead freezer meal.

Casserole season is here, and this Cheesy Chicken Noodle Casserole is a go-to comfort dish. It combines protein, vegetables, dairy, and pasta for a balanced, family-friendly meal. It’s also a perfect way to use leftover turkey or holiday ham. You can make it easier by using shredded rotisserie chicken or Instant Pot chicken breast and frozen broccoli florets.

🥘 Ingredients Needed

• Noodles – About 2–2½ cups egg noodles (or any pasta you prefer). Cook according to package instructions. Use gluten-free pasta if needed.
• Broccoli florets – Fresh is best, but frozen works in a pinch.
• Butter – Salted or unsalted, depending on preference.
• Flour – All-purpose flour to thicken the sauce; substitute a gluten-free 1:1 flour or cornstarch if needed.
• Seasonings – Garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
• Milk – 2% or whole milk for richness; skim or unsweetened almond milk can be used.
• Chicken stock or broth – Homemade or store-bought.
• Shredded cheese – A cup total; a mix of parmesan and Gruyère or sharp cheddar works well.
• Cooked chicken – About 2 cups diced cooked chicken, thigh or breast; leftover turkey or ham can substitute.
• Crispy onions – For mix-ins and topping.
• Bread crumbs – Panko gives a nice crunch for the topping.

🍽 Equipment Needed

• Baking dish or oven-safe skillet – A 13 x 9 baking dish or an oven-safe skillet lets you finish the casserole without extra pans.
• Large pot – For cooking the pasta and blanching broccoli.
• Small frying pan – For toasting the breadcrumb topping.

🥣 How to Make Chicken Noodle Casserole

This casserole is straightforward to prepare. Follow these steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles according to package directions. Add broccoli florets during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside. Dice your cooked chicken if not already done.
• In a skillet, melt butter. Stir in the flour to make a roux, then add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook about 5 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
• Slowly whisk in the milk, a little at a time, until smooth. Cook until the sauce thickens, then stir in the chicken stock. Continue cooking until you have a creamy sauce.
• Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted. Mix in the cooked noodles, broccoli, and diced chicken. Fold in some crispy onions if desired.
• Transfer the mixture to a 13 x 9 baking dish or leave it in an oven-safe skillet. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.
• While baking, melt butter and combine with panko breadcrumbs and remaining crispy onions in a small pan. After the initial bake, stir the casserole, sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top, and return to the oven for 7 more minutes to brown the topping.
• Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, then serve with a dusting of extra grated parmesan if you like.

🍱 Recipe Yield

This recipe yields roughly 6 to 12 servings depending on portion size. For a couple, it often provides about three dinners.

🙋‍♀️ Frequently Asked Questions

🍳 What to Serve with This Delicious Casserole

This casserole is a complete meal, but it pairs nicely with simple sides such as:

• Sweet cornbread
• A crisp chopped salad with blue cheese and bacon
• Southern-style sour cream biscuits or drop biscuits
• Buttermilk muffins

🥫 How to Store Leftover Casserole

Store leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap or foil in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If your baking dish is too large for the fridge, transfer portions into airtight containers, keeping the topping intact when possible.

To freeze, cool completely, wrap well in plastic wrap and aluminum foil (or vacuum-seal if available), and freeze up to 3 months. For portioned meals, bake in small foil pans, cool, wrap, and freeze. Defrost before reheating and bake at 325°F until warmed through.

How to Reheat Leftover Chicken Noodle Casserole

Reheat in the microwave for individual portions, or bake covered at 325°F for 20–30 minutes (uncover for the last few minutes if you want the topping crisp).

✏️ Helpful Tips

• Use an oven-safe skillet to reduce dishes and go straight from stovetop to oven.
• Top with extra parmesan for added flavor just before serving.
• Use leftover meat—this recipe is excellent for turning Thanksgiving turkey or ham into a new meal.

Other Tasty Stick to Your Ribs Recipes

• One Pot Pasta e Fagioli
• Cheesy Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
• Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Noodles
• Paleo Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
• Slow Cooker White Bean and Ham Soup