Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.
Chicken broccoli stuffing casserole is old-fashioned, cold-weather comfort food — a simple combination of shredded rotisserie chicken, cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup, broccoli florets, and Pepperidge Farm or Stove Top stuffing! The easy dinner only requires about 20 minutes of prep, can be assembled in advance, and appeals to even the pickiest little eaters.
Table of Contents
- Stove Top Stuffing Chicken Broccoli Casserole is an Old Fashioned Favorite
- Use Stove Top Stuffing or Pepperidge Farm Stuffing Mix
- Ingredients
- How to Cook Chicken for a Casserole
- How to Make Chicken Stove Top Stuffing Casserole
- Serving Suggestions
- Preparation and Storage Tips
- Recipe Variations
- Tips for the Best Chicken Broccoli Stuffing Casserole Recipe
- Chicken Broccoli Stuffing Casserole Recipe
If you love chicken and stuffing recipes as much as we do, be sure to try this classic chicken and stuffing casserole, a pan of the easiest dump-and-bake chicken stuffing casserole, and this Crock Pot chicken and stuffing, too!
Stove Top Stuffing Chicken Broccoli Casserole is an Old Fashioned Favorite
Chicken broccoli stuffing casserole is one of those recipes that just takes me back to my mom’s kitchen table. The smell alone can transport me to my childhood home, and I love that my own kids have now learned to love the meal, too. In fact, I’d say it’s probably the most popular casserole recipe that I serve in this house!
While my mom prepared something similar back in the 80’s, this particular dish is actually a slight twist on a recipe from my mother-in-law’s friend, Lois. She wrote down the recipe on a card and gave it to me at my bridal shower almost 20 years ago. The note that she wrote on the bottom of the recipe card says, “I have been making this for 35 years!”
Use Stove Top Stuffing or Pepperidge Farm Stuffing Mix
This casserole uses a store-bought mix such as Stove Top stuffing or Pepperidge Farm stuffing as a shortcut for the moist, flavorful topping.
You’ll prepare the stuffing according to the package instructions, and then spread the warm stuffing over a creamy, tender chicken and broccoli filling. Bake the dish covered until it’s warmed through, and then remove the cover at the end so that the stuffing can get a little bit crispy on top.
It tastes like Thanksgiving dinner in a single pan!
Ingredients
This is a quick overview of the basic ingredients that you’ll need for an easy chicken broccoli and stuffing casserole. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Chicken: you’ll need about 3 cups of cooked, shredded chicken. I use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for great flavor and quick-prep, but you can boil your own chicken at home if you prefer.
- Broccoli: frozen baby broccoli florets are a nice shortcut, but you can substitute with fresh broccoli florets that you steam until crisp-tender.
- Cream of mushroom soup and cream of chicken soup: form the base of the creamy casserole sauce. You can substitute with two cans of your favorite flavors of condensed soup. I like the “Healthy Request” line of soups, but any similar variety will work.
- Milk: to thin the sauce.
- Stuffing mix: I prefer one (12 ounce) package of Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Stuffing, but you can also use two (6 ounce) boxes of Stove Top stuffing. You will need the additional ingredients called for on your box of stuffing mix (typically chicken broth or water, and butter).
How to Cook Chicken for a Casserole
While it’s possible to cook a casserole with raw chicken, you’ll need cooked chicken for this easy dinner recipe, and a variety of options will work. Pick the most convenient method for you:
- Boiled and Pulled Chicken: Boil about 1 ½ lbs. of boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs until cooked through (about 15 minutes). When cool enough to handle, chop or pull the chicken. You’ll need a total of about 3 cups shredded. I find that 1 ½ lbs. of chicken breasts yields about 3 cups of pulled chicken, but there’s some flexibility here — it doesn’t need to be exact.
- Rotisserie Chicken: This is a great shortcut! Purchase a rotisserie chicken (or two) from the grocery store, shred the meat, and use in the recipe as instructed. One very large rotisserie chicken should yield about 4-5 cups of meat.
- Leftover Chicken: If you have leftover grilled or baked chicken from a previous meal, put those extras to good use in this casserole.
- Canned Chicken: Yep, even canned chicken from the pantry will work in this recipe.
Do you have to cook broccoli before putting it in a casserole?
This recipe calls for thawed frozen baby broccoli florets, which have a slightly soft texture and therefore do not need to be cooked before adding them to the dish. If you prefer to start with fresh broccoli florets, I recommend steaming, parboiling, or precooking the broccoli in some way so that it softens a bit before you add it to the rest of the casserole. Otherwise the fresh broccoli will not have time to cook through and soften in the oven.
Can I substitute fresh broccoli for frozen in a casserole?
Yes! I prefer the ease of frozen baby broccoli florets, which are soft enough when thawed so that you don’t need to steam or pre-cook them before just adding them to the dish. The baby florets are also small enough that you don’t need to chop them. Just thaw, drain, and stir into the casserole! However, if you prefer to use fresh broccoli florets, those will work equally well. I recommend cutting the florets into bite-sized pieces and then steaming or parboiling them just until crisp-tender.
How to Make Chicken Stove Top Stuffing Casserole
This easy chicken and broccoli casserole with a moist stuffing on top tastes like Thanksgiving in a pan. It’s one of those great meals that the whole family will love! You’ll find the detailed directions in the recipe card below, but here’s the quick version:
- Whisk together the soups and milk.
- Add the chicken and broccoli.
- Transfer the chicken mixture to a casserole dish.
- Prepare the stuffing according to the package instructions (mixing the stuffing cubes with the broth or water and butter).
- Spread the stuffing on top of the chicken mixture.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil, then continue baking for 10-15 more minutes. The casserole is done with the filling is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
Serving Suggestions
You’ve basically got an entire meal in one dish, thanks to the meat, veggies, and stuffing. That said, you might like to offer some additional options on the side. Here are some easy ideas to serve with the easy chicken casserole:
- Kale Apple Salad, Fall Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing, Green Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette, Mixed Greens with Dijon Vinaigrette, Caesar Salad, or House Salad with Candied Pecans
- Cathead Biscuits, 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits, Southern Buttermilk Biscuits, Flaky Biscuits, Aunt Bee’s 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits, Sweet Potato Biscuits, Cheese Biscuits, Easy Drop Biscuits, 7UP Biscuits, or Cheddar Biscuits with Chives and Bacon
- Cast Iron Cornbread, Sour Cream Cornbread, Southern Cornbread, Pumpkin Cornbread, Cake Mix Cornbread, Skillet Cornbread, Sweet Cornbread, Jiffy Cornbread with Creamed Corn, Corn Sticks, Broccoli Cornbread, Honey Butter Cornbread, or Cornbread Muffins
- Crusty French Baguette, Soft Dinner Rolls, or Homemade Crescent Rolls
- Easy One-Bowl Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Muffins, Cranberry Orange Muffins, or Cranberry Bread
- Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream and Chives, 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, or 3-Ingredient Cheesy Potato Casserole
- Braised Cabbage with Apples and Onions, Fried Cabbage, or Roasted Cabbage
- Easy Green Bean Casserole, Arkansas Green Beans with Bacon, Southern-Style Green Beans, or Green Bean Casserole Bundles with Bacon
- Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
- Southern Collard Greens or Sweet and Spicy Collard Greens with Bacon
- Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- Balsamic Roasted Root Vegetables
- Southern Fried Apples or Baked Apple Slices
- Perfect Oven Roasted Asparagus or Sauteed Asparagus
- Brown Sugar Roasted Acorn Squash
Preparation and Storage Tips
- This is a great make-ahead dinner. You can assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake. When ready to bake, allow the dish to sit on the counter and come to room temperature for at least 30-60 minutes.
- You can freeze the casserole before baking. Wrapped tightly, the assembled casserole will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Thaw a frozen casserole in the refrigerator overnight and bake according to the recipe instructions. If the dish is still cool when it goes into the oven, you will likely need to increase the total baking time.
- Leftover chicken casserole will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
- To reheat the casserole: If reheating an entire casserole, cover the dish loosely with foil and bake in a 350°F oven until warmed through (about 20 minutes). Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Variations
- Almost any packaged stuffing mix will work. I prefer one (12 ounce) package of Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Stuffing, but you can also use two (6 ounce) boxes of Stove Top stuffing. Try different flavor varieties, too. Cornbread stuffing is delicious, and so is the herb stuffing and turkey stuffing.
- Substitute fresh broccoli florets for the frozen broccoli. If using fresh broccoli, you’ll need to steam or parboil it until crisp-tender before adding it to the casserole filling.
- Use any flavor combination of condensed soups that you prefer: cream of chicken, cream of mushroom or cream of celery are all nice options.
- If you’re sensitive to salt, feel free to substitute with the Healthy Request or 98% fat-free varieties of condensed soups for lighter options with less sodium.
- Try adding different vegetables to the dish. Frozen mixed vegetables, canned or frozen corn, frozen peas, or sautéed mushrooms would all be great additions, too!
- Add a layer of cooked rice to the bottom of the dish before adding the chicken filling.
- For a cheesy chicken and stuffing casserole, stir some shredded cheddar cheese into the filling, and sprinkle a layer of grated cheese on top before adding the stuffing.
- Stir some herbs, spices, or other seasonings into the sauce. Try dried or fresh parsley, thyme, basil, oregano, chives, or garlic powder. A squeeze of lemon juice is also a nice, bright addition!
Tips for the Best Chicken Broccoli Stuffing Casserole Recipe
- Use the meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken for a shortcut.
- If you prefer to cook your chicken at home, use about 1 ½ lbs. of raw boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs. Boil the chicken for about 15 minutes, or until cooked through. When cool enough to handle, chop or shred with forks and use in the recipe.
- Prepare the stuffing according to the instructions on your specific package. Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix recommends adding sauteed celery and onion as well. I do not use these ingredients (but you can if you want). Instead, I follow the instructions with the chicken broth and butter, but omit the extra veggies. Stove Top stuffing mix, by contrast, only requires water and butter for preparation.
- If you like your stuffing really moist, keep the dish covered for the entire baking time.
- Cooking for a smaller family? Cut all of the ingredients in half (using a single 6-ounce box of Stove Top stuffing mix) and bake the casserole in an 8-inch square pan. You can reduce the total baking time by 5-10 minutes, too. Alternatively, you can prepare the full recipe, but divide the ingredients between two 8-inch square baking dishes. Freeze the extra dish for a later meal.
More Chicken Casserole Recipes to Try
Chicken Noodle Casserole
55 minutes mins
Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers
30 minutes mins
Chicken and Rice Casserole
35 minutes mins
Chicken Broccoli Stuffing Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 2 cups frozen baby broccoli florets, thawed and drained
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1 (12 ounce) package Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix (or two 6-ounce boxes of Stove Top stuffing mix), plus additional ingredients called for on the package*
- Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley or thyme
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together condensed soups and milk. Stir in cooked chicken and thawed baby broccoli florets. Transfer chicken mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, prepare stuffing according to package directions.
- Spread prepared stuffing evenly on top of the chicken mixture.
- Cover the dish with foil. Bake, covered, at 350°F for about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until heated through and lightly browned on top. If you like your stuffing really moist, leave the dish covered for the entire baking time.
Notes
- Use the meat from a store-bought rotisserie chicken for a shortcut.
- If you prefer to cook your chicken at home, use about 1 ½ lbs. of raw boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs. Boil the chicken for about 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through. When cool enough to handle, chop or shred with forks and use in the recipe.
- Cooking for a smaller family? Cut all of the ingredients in half (using a single 6-ounce box of Stove Top stuffing mix) and bake the casserole in an 8-inch square pan. You can reduce the total baking time by 5-10 minutes, too. Alternatively, you can prepare the full recipe, but divide the ingredients between two 8-inch square baking dishes. Freeze the extra dish for a later meal.
- Almost any packaged stuffing mix will work. I prefer one (12 ounce) package of Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Stuffing, but you can also use two (6 ounce) boxes of Stove Top stuffing. Try different flavor varieties, too. Cornbread stuffing is delicious, and so is the herb stuffing and turkey stuffing.
- Substitute fresh broccoli florets for the frozen baby broccoli. If using fresh broccoli, you’ll need to steam or parboil it until crisp-tender before adding it to the casserole filling.
- Use any flavor combination of condensed soups that you prefer: cream of chicken, cream of mushroom or cream of celery are all nice options.
- For lighter options with less sodium, feel free to substitute with the Healthy Request or 98% fat-free varieties of condensed soups.
- Try adding different vegetables to the dish. Frozen mixed vegetables, canned or frozen corn, frozen peas, or sautéed mushrooms would all be great additions, too!
- Add a layer of cooked rice to the bottom of the dish before adding the chicken filling.
- Add cheese. Stir some grated cheddar cheese into the filling, and sprinkle a layer of grated cheese on top before adding the stuffing.
- Stir some herbs or other seasonings into the sauce. Try dried or fresh parsley, thyme, basil, oregano, chives, or garlic.
La trovo molto buona, economica e versatile ! Grazie da parte della mia famiglia
Thank you, Valeria! We’re so glad you enjoyed it.
If making ahead and freezing, do you freeze after putting everything in the pan? Any different cooking times/temps if cooking from frozen?
Hi Taylor!
Yes, just wrap everything up tightly in the pan, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw the frozen casserole in the refrigerator overnight, and bake according to the recipe instructions. If the dish is still cool when it goes into the oven, you will likely need to increase the total baking time. Hope this helps!