Broccoli Chicken Casserole

Every Church cookbook in America has some version of Broccoli Chicken Casserole. My Mom got her version from our church in Cardiff, California. Chapel by the Sea was an amazing church filled with awesome people. The women there could really cook!! When it was potluck fellowship Sunday all of the kids would be antsy all church service in anticipation.

Grandma Webber's meatballs, Ms. Ruth Porter chicken, Ms. Mildred Gunther's desserts were just a few of the many wonderful potluck dishes. My mom often made her Broccoli  Chicken Casserole. Although over the years I've tweaked it to be my own recipe the inspiration came from Mom and those wonderful Potluck fellowships.


Broccoli Chicken Casserole

You will need....

about 2 pounds of shredded cooked chicken (more if you desire)
Two 10oz bags of frozen Broccoli cuts or florets (you can do one of each), thawed
3-4 short sleeves of Buttery crackers (i.e. Ritz)
1/2 stick of melted butter
Two 10 oz cans of Cream of Chicken soup
3/4 c mayonaise
the juice of 2 lemons
2-3 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese (you can also use mild cheddar or Colby)

Start by Pre heating the oven to 350

Then spray a 13x9 or 4 quart casserole dish with cooking spray

To the pan add the thawed broccoli

Add diced or shredded cooked chicken

In a mixing bowl mix the cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and garlic powder. add to casserole  on top of chicken.

Add the shredded cheese

Melt 1/2 stick of butter. Crush the crackers while they are still in their sleeves. After the butter has melted, add crushed crackers and mix together. (I found my hand is the best mixing tool here. Just be careful that the butter isn't too hot) When the butter and crushed crackers are mixed well add them to the casserole!

Cook at 350 till its golden brown and the sides are bubbly!

Now here's the best part...lemon pepper!! On each serving sprinkle some lemon pepper. Some people like a little, some like a lot.  It makes the casserole even more amazing.

I hope you make this wonderful comfort food soon for your family. My family loves it when I make it. Remember to think of cooking as an act of loving and nourishing your family and not a chore. 

Lar