5 from 18 votes
Cheesy Chicken Casserole with Broccoli and Bacon
This Cheesy Chicken Casserole mixes cooked pasta shells with shredded chicken, crispy bacon, sautéed onions, garlic, and broccoli florets in a creamy sauce made from butter, flour, milk, and half and half. Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses are melted into the sauce and topped with additional mozzarella before baking until bubbly and browned. The result is a rich, hearty casserole combining savory flavors and tender textures.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings:
6
servings
Calories:
895 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 7 lices Bacon , chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion , diced
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 1/2 cups broccoli fresh florets
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk whole
- 1 1/4 cups half and half or heavy cream
- 2 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese , divided
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 16 oz pasta shells cooked according to package directions, dried medium, box
- 2 1/2 cups chicken shredded
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. In a large, oven-safe skillet, cook bacon over MED heat until crisp. Remove to a plate, reserving grease in skillet. Remove all but 1 Tbsp of the bacon grease.
- To the same skillet, add diced onion and cook 4-5 minutes, until soft. Add garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring very often. Remove to plate with the bacon.
- Add broccoli to skillet and cook 2-3 minutes, until very bright green and heated through. Remove to plate.
- Add butter and melt, then add flour and whisk to combine. Slowly pour in milk and half and half, whisking until all flour mixture is incorporated. Cook, whisking very often, until mixture has thickened (about 5-10 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 3/4 cups of mozzarella cheese and the 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Add in cooked pasta, shredded chicken, bacon, onion, broccoli, salt and pepper. Stir until combined. Top with remaining 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake 15 minutes, then broil on HIGH for 1-2 minutes to brown cheese (optional). Serve hot and enjoy!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Cook chicken breasts seasoned with salt and pepper in the skillet until done, then shred and add in step 6.
- Pre-cook bacon, onion, garlic, broccoli, and pasta ahead and refrigerate to save time.
- Pre-grate cheeses and keep refrigerated until use for convenience.
- If assembling ahead, refrigerate the casserole covered up to two days; let it sit at room temperature 30 minutes before baking.
Nutrition Information
Calories
895kcal
(45%)
Carbohydrates
73g
(24%)
Protein
45g
(90%)
Fat
46g
(71%)
Saturated Fat
23g
(115%)
Cholesterol
158mg
(53%)
Sodium
1208mg
(50%)
Potassium
683mg
(15%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
1175IU
(24%)
Vitamin C
22.6mg
(25%)
Calcium
523mg
(52%)
Iron
2.2mg
(12%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 895
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 895kcal | 45% |
| Carbohydrates | 73g | 24% |
| Protein | 45g | 90% |
| Fat | 46g | 71% |
| Saturated Fat | 23g | 115% |
| Cholesterol | 158mg | 53% |
| Sodium | 1208mg | 50% |
| Potassium | 683mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1175IU | 24% |
| Vitamin C | 22.6mg | 25% |
| Calcium | 523mg | 52% |
| Iron | 2.2mg | 12% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.