A chicken casserole made with seasoned chicken pieces, creamy curry sauce, and broccoli all topped with toasted cheesy bread. Leftovers only taste better!
2cupsshredded cheddar cheesehalf reserved for topping
2tspcurry powder
2cupsfrozen broccoli florets
3tbspbutter
6slicesbread
5cupschickencooked (shredded or cubed)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375℉.
Chicken
If using raw chicken: sautée bite-sized chicken pieces in olive oil over medium heat (seasoned with 1 tbsp minced garlic, salt, and pepper -to taste) until no longer pink. Alternatively, use prepared chicken: such as store-bought rotisserie chicken. Set aside in a separate bowl.
Sauce
Once the chicken is cooked and set aside, melt 3 tbsp of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Have the flour and chicken broth ready. After the butter is melted sprinkle the flour into the skillet fully incorporating it into the butter. Cook until golden in color (about 30 seconds to a minute).
After the flour is cooked, slowly whisk in the chicken broth until it becomes smooth and almost gravy-like in texture.
Slowly add in the milk while continuing to whisk. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer, then add in the seasoning: curry powder, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and lemon juice.
Continue to allow the mixture to simmer for another few minutes until begins to thicken. Turn off the heat. Then, stir in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.
While the sauce is cooling, begin to butter the bread. Cut into small bite-sized pieces. (Note: buttering the bread is optional, but recommended.)
To the cooling sauce, stir in 1 cup of mayonnaise or sour cream.
Once the sauce is completely combined, add in the desired amount of broccoli and the cooked chicken. Stir to coat.
Transfer the sauce, broccoli, and chicken into a 9x13 casserole dish, spreading it out evenly. Create a top layer with the pieces of buttered bread.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the layer of bread.
Place in the preheated oven and cook for 25-30 minutes.