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High Protein Chicken Broccoli Casserole (48g Protein, No Canned Soup)

Tender chicken breasts and fresh broccoli florets baked in a creamy blended cottage cheese and sharp cheddar sauce packing 48g protein per serving.

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Quick Answer • Test Kitchen Standard
  • Preheat Oven and Steam Broccoli: Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place broccoli florets in a microwave safe bowl with 2 tbsp water, cover, and microwave for 2 minutes until tender crisp. Drain thoroughly.
  • Blend Creamy High Protein Sauce: In a blender or food processor, blend cottage cheese, chicken bone broth, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper on high speed for 60 seconds until completely silky and smooth.
  • Combine Casserole: In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, drained broccoli florets, blended cottage cheese sauce, 1 cup of shredded cheddar, and grated parmesan cheese. Mix until evenly incorporated.
Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Rest
5 min
Total
50 min
Pull Temp
165°F Minimum
Serves
6
Calories
380 kcal
Beer Can Chicken

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RecipeHigh Protein Chicken Broccoli Casserole (48g Protein, No Canned Soup)

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Got chicken? Never wonder what’s for dinner again.

Wondering how to make a creamy, comforting chicken and broccoli casserole that skips processed canned cream soups and fuels your fitness goals? You have come to the right place. This macro friendly bake packs forty eight grams of protein per serving.

Chickeeen At A Glance: High Protein Chicken Broccoli Casserole

  • Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Ideal Pull Temp: 165°F (74°C) bubbling throughout the center
  • Elena’s Golden Rule: Blend cottage cheese in a food processor or blender for 60 seconds until completely smooth before mixing into the casserole for silky creaminess.
  • Master Chart: Compare cooking times and pull temperatures on our Master Chicken Cooking Times Chart

Blended Cottage Cheese Replaces Canned Cream Soup

Commercial canned cream soups are loaded with sodium, hydrogenated oils, and simple starches with negligible protein. Whole milk cottage cheese contains dense curds rich in casein protein. Pureeing cottage cheese in a blender on high speed shears those curds into a microscopic emulsion. When mixed with garlic, dijon, and melted cheddar under oven heat, it creates an ultra creamy sauce with 48 grams of clean protein per serving.

High Protein Chicken Broccoli Casserole Ingredients Spotlight

Here is what you need to make this recipe for high protein chicken broccoli casserole:

Cooked Chicken Breast: Lean white poultry that provides the dense protein foundation of the casserole.

Fresh Broccoli Florets: Provides vital fiber, vitamin C, and fresh green crunch that balances the cheese.

Blended Cottage Cheese: The secret healthy swap that creates luxurious cream sauce with massive protein.

Sharp Cheddar and Parmesan: Provides robust cheesy flavor and golden bubbly crust.

What to Serve With High Protein Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Serve alongside fluffy quinoa, roasted sweet potato wedges, or a light mixed greens salad with lemon dressing.

How to Store and Reheat High Protein Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Store leftovers in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Warm individual servings in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes or microwave for 90 seconds until hot and bubbly.

The Technique

Mastering High Protein Chicken Broccoli Casserole comes down to precise temperature control and key technique cues.

1Preheat Oven and Steam Broccoli

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place broccoli florets in a microwave safe bowl with 2 tbsp water, cover, and microwave for 2 minutes until tender crisp. Drain thoroughly.

2Blend Creamy High Protein Sauce

In a blender or food processor, blend cottage cheese, chicken bone broth, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper on high speed for 60 seconds until completely silky and smooth.

3Combine Casserole

In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, drained broccoli florets, blended cottage cheese sauce, 1 cup of shredded cheddar, and grated parmesan cheese. Mix until evenly incorporated.

4Transfer and Top

Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and scatter olive oil tossed panko breadcrumbs across the surface.

5Bake to Golden Melt

Bake uncovered at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbling and the panko topping is crunchy and golden brown. Confirm center registers 165°F. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

Test Kitchen Standards

Essential Benchmarks for Perfect Poultry

Every recipe on Chickeeen relies on these four core culinary physics principles. Use our tested reference cards before you start cooking.

🌡️ Safety & Juiciness

Safe Pull Temp

165°F White / 175°F Dark

Exact target internal pull temperatures by cut to lock in maximum moisture.

Read Full Guide →
⏱️ Moisture Lock

Resting Time Formula

5 to 15 Minutes

Retain up to 40% more natural juices with proper carryover heat resting.

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🧂 Deep Flavor

Salt Ratio & Timing

1% by Total Weight

Dry brining science and salt penetration window for deeply seasoned poultry.

Read Full Guide →
🍗 Maximum Crunch

Crispy Skin Science

Surface Dehydration

The baking powder secret, high heat Maillard reaction, and fat rendering rules.

Read Full Guide →
📋
Master Chicken Cooking Times and Temperature Chart
Every cut, cooking method, and safe pull temperature on one printable page.
Get Printable Chart →

Practical notes

Substitutions

Cauliflower can replace broccoli. Plain Greek yogurt can replace half the cottage cheese.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Make ahead

Assemble the entire casserole through the cheese-topping stage, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 5 minutes to bake time if baking chilled.

Reheating

Warm individual servings in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes or microwave for 90 seconds until hot and bubbly.

Nutrition per serving
Calories
380
Protein
32g
Fat
26g
Carbs
1g
Sodium
620mg
Sugar
0g
Calculated by Nutrifox · estimates only · varies by brand
Frequently asked

High Protein Chicken Broccoli Casserole, your questions.

Does blended cottage cheese taste sour in chicken casserole?
No, not at all! When blended until completely smooth and seasoned with garlic, sharp cheddar, and Italian herbs, cottage cheese transforms into a rich, mild, savory white sauce with zero sourness or curds.
What makes High Protein Chicken Broccoli Casserole worth making?
Tender chicken breasts and fresh broccoli florets baked in a creamy blended cottage cheese and sharp cheddar sauce packing 48g protein per serving.
How long does High Protein Chicken Broccoli Casserole take to make?
High Protein Chicken Broccoli Casserole takes 45 minutes total: 15 min prep and 30 min cook time.
What equipment do you need for High Protein Chicken Broccoli Casserole?
You will need: 9x13-inch ceramic or glass casserole baking dish, High-speed blender or food processor, Large mixing bowl, Instant-read digital thermometer.
What is the key technique for High Protein Chicken Broccoli Casserole?
**Bake to Golden Melt**: Bake uncovered at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbling and the panko topping is crunchy and golden brown. Confirm center registers 165°F. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

Technique Guides

Related Techniques

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