Baked Potato Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Recipe Name: Baked Potato Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Active Prep: 35 minutes
Cook/Bake Time: 55 minutes
Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate
Yield: 8 hearty servings
Calories per serving: Approximately 525 kcal

A Hug in a Casserole Dish

When the weather turns cool and your soul craves deep, unwavering comfort, you need a dish that’s more than just dinner—you need a culinary embrace. Enter the Baked Potato Chicken and Broccoli Casserole, a magnificent, all-in-one tribute to the loaded baked potato, transformed into a complete and satisfying family meal. This recipe masterfully layers the hearty, rustic flavors of shredded chicken, tender broccoli, and creamy, cheesy sauce with the crispy, golden glory of potato tots. It’s the genius answer to “what’s for dinner?” that pleases everyone at the table, from kids to adults, requiring little more than a simple salad on the side. Every forkful delivers the nostalgic joy of a diner patty melt, the comforting warmth of a homemade casserole, and the irresistible crunch of perfect potato tots. This isn’t just food; it’s a solution to the weekly meal grind and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

For the Chicken & Veggie Layer:

2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large head of broccoli, cut into small florets (about 4-5 cups)
1 cup chicken broth

For the Creamy Cheese Sauce:

¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup chicken broth (from the 1 cup listed above)
2 cups (8 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup (4 oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
½ cup sour cream
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon dry mustard (optional, but recommended)

For the Topping:

1 (28-32 oz) bag frozen potato tots (Tater Tots)
½ cup (2 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional, but highly recommended)
2 tablespoons finely sliced chives or green onions

For Serving (Optional):

Extra sour cream
Hot sauce
Ranch dressing

Equipment

9×13 inch (3-quart) baking dish
Large skillet or Dutch oven
Medium saucepan
Whisk
Tongs
Measuring cups and spoons
Mixing bowls
Aluminum foil

Instructions

Part 1: Building the Savory Foundation (Time: 25 minutes | Intensity: Medium)

Preheat & Prep: Position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease your 9×13 inch baking dish.
Brown the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Season the cubed chicken with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Add to the hot skillet in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides and just cooked through. Remove chicken with tongs and set aside in a bowl.
Sauté the Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the diced onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes over medium heat until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
Steam the Broccoli: Add the broccoli florets and the 1 cup of chicken broth to the skillet with the onions. Bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Steam the broccoli for 4-5 minutes, just until bright green and fork-tender. Uncover and let the liquid simmer for 1-2 minutes to reduce slightly. Remove from heat.

Part 2: Crafting the Luxurious Cheese Sauce (Time: 15 minutes | Intensity: Medium)

Make the Roux: While the broccoli steams, melt the ¼ cup butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1-2 minutes until bubbly and golden. This cooks out the raw flour taste.
Create the Béchamel: Gradually whisk in the 2 cups of milk and the remaining 1 cup of chicken broth (you can use the broth from steaming the broccoli for extra flavor). Continue whisking until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer, whisking frequently, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
Cheese, Please!: Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese and all of the Monterey Jack cheese until melted and smooth. Whisk in the sour cream, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dry mustard, and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.

Part 3: The Hearty Assembly (Time: 5 minutes | Intensity: Low)

Combine in the Dish: In the prepared baking dish, combine the cooked chicken (and any accumulated juices), the broccoli-onion mixture (with its reduced liquid), and the prepared cheese sauce. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated and distributed.
First Cheese Layer: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the chicken and broccoli mixture.

Part 4: The Iconic Potato Tot Topping (Time: 25 minutes | Intensity: Passive)

The Tot Crown: Arrange the frozen potato tots in a single, tightly packed layer over the entire surface of the casserole. This is your crispy, golden roof.
Bake Covered: Tent the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil (to prevent the tots from burning before the casserole heats through). Bake for 25 minutes.
Bake to Crispy Perfection: Remove the foil. Increase oven temperature to 400°F (200°C). Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the tots are deep golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is bubbling vigorously around the edges.
Final Garnish: If using, sprinkle the crumbled bacon and the extra ½ cup of cheddar cheese over the hot tots during the last 5 minutes of baking to melt the cheese.
The Crucial Rest: Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes. This allows the bubbling filling to settle and thicken slightly, making it easier to serve clean portions.

Serving & The Comfort Feast

Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle the top with fresh chives or green onions just before serving.
The Perfect Portion: Use a large spoon or spatula to scoop down through the crispy tots and into the creamy filling below, ensuring each serving gets the perfect ratio of crunch and cream.
Accompaniments: Serve directly from the dish at the table. Offer extra sour cream, hot sauce, or ranch dressing on the side for custom dipping or drizzling.

Recipe Notes & Pro-Tips for Success

Shortcut Savvy: Use 4-5 cups of pre-cooked, shredded rotisserie chicken. Skip the browning step and add it directly with the broccoli. You can also use a 12-oz bag of frozen broccoli florets, thawed and well-drained.
Sauce Consistency: The sauce will seem loose when first combined, but it thickens perfectly during baking. The resting period is non-negotiable for the ideal texture.
Tot Texture: For extra-crispy tots, you can toss them in 1 tablespoon of olive oil before arranging them on the casserole.
Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the casserole completely through Step 3 (adding the cheese layer). Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add the frozen tots and bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the covered baking time.
Freezing Instructions: Assemble through Step 3 and freeze before adding tots. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then add frozen tots and bake, extending covered bake time as needed until heated through.
Vegetarian Version: Omit chicken. Use 2 cans of drained and rinsed white beans (cannellini or great northern) or extra broccoli. Substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth.

Nutrition Information (Per serving, 1/8th of casserole)

Calories: 525 kcal
Total Carbohydrates: 32g
Dietary Fiber: 4g
Sugars: 7g
Protein: 36g
Total Fat: 29g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Cholesterol: 120mg
Sodium: 920mg

Nutritional information is an estimate. Values will vary based on specific brands of cheese, potato tots, broth, and bacon used. This is a hearty, comforting meal designed for satisfaction.

Final Word: The Baked Potato Chicken and Broccoli Casserole is a triumph of homestyle cooking ingenuity. It satisfies the deep-seated craving for comfort while delivering balanced nutrition and undeniable flavor in every bite. It turns simple, affordable ingredients into a celebratory weeknight meal that feels special. This recipe is a keeper—a reliable, beloved blueprint for dinner success that you’ll return to season after season. Save it, share it, and get ready for the compliments.