This Broccoli Cheez-It Chicken is an easy, family-friendly dinner made with juicy seasoned chicken, tender broccoli, a creamy cheesy sauce and a buttery Cheez-It cracker topping that’s impossible to resist.
From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito
If you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner that feels comforting without requiring a lot of work, this Broccoli Cheez-It Chicken is going to become a new favorite. Tender broccoli creates the perfect base for juicy seasoned chicken, all baked together under a creamy, cheesy topping with buttery Cheez-It crackers that bake up golden and crisp.
This recipe was inspired by my friend and fellow food creator, Melissa Jo, whose original Cheez-It Chicken looked too good not to make. I put my own spin on it by adding a layer of broccoli to the baking dish and seasoning the chicken before baking, turning it into a complete one-pan meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Everything cooks in one baking dish for an easy dinner with minimal cleanup.
- The broccoli cooks right underneath the chicken, soaking up all of the creamy, cheesy goodness.
- The buttery Cheez-It topping adds the perfect crunch to every bite.
- It’s simple enough for busy weeknights but comforting enough for Sunday dinner.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this delicious recipe. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements on the recipe card below.
- Broccoli Florets – Fresh broccoli creates a delicious vegetable base that cooks perfectly underneath the chicken.
- Chicken Breasts – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts become juicy and flavorful after being seasoned and baked.
- Salt – Enhances all of the flavors.
- Black Pepper – Adds just the right amount of seasoning.
- Garlic Powder – Gives the chicken a savory flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Onion Powder – Adds another layer of savory flavor.
- Paprika – Gives the chicken beautiful color and mild smoky flavor.
- Sour Cream – Makes the sauce extra creamy with a slight tang.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Melts into the sauce for cheesy goodness.
- Cheez-It Crackers – The buttery, cheesy crunch that makes this recipe so fun.
- Butter – Helps the cracker topping become perfectly golden.
How To Make It
Heres how to make this delicious chicken dinner. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13" baking dish. Spread the broccoli florets into an even layer across the bottom of the baking dish. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Arrange the seasoned chicken over the broccoli.
- Spoon the sour cream evenly over each piece of chicken, spreading it gently with the back of a spoon. Add a layer of shredded cheddar cheese. Crush the Cheez-It crackers into coarse crumbs and combine them with the melted butter. Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the top.
- Place it into the center rack of the oven, uncovered for 40-50 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the topping is golden brown. Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving, garnish with parsley (optional) and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Season The Chicken On Both Sides- It adds flavor throughout the entire dish instead of just on the topping.
- Cut The Broccoli Into Bite Sized Florets. Smaller pieces cook more evenly and are easier to serve.
- Don't Crush The Cheez-It Crackers Into Fine Crumbs. Leave some larger pieces so you get plenty of crunchy texture.
- Check The Chicken With A Meat Thermometer. Remove it from the oven once it reaches 165°F to keep it juicy.
- Let The Casserole Rest For 5-10 Minutes Before Serving. This gives the creamy sauce time to thicken slightly, making it easier to serve.
Variations
- Swap The Vegetables. Try cauliflower, green beans, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts instead of broccoli.
- Use Chicken Thighs. Boneless, skinless thighs stay extra juicy and work just as well.
- Add Bacon. Sprinkle cooked, crumbled bacon over the top before serving for a smoky, savory twist.
- Make It Spicy. Mix a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce into the creamy sauce.
- Try A Different Cheese. Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or a sharp cheddar blend all melt beautifully.
- Add Rice. Serve the chicken over fluffy white rice, buttered noodles, or mashed potatoes to stretch the meal.
- Switch Up The Crackers. While Cheez-Its are the star of this recipe, the extra-toasty or white cheddar varieties add a fun flavor twist.
What To Serve With It
Since this recipe already includes broccoli, all you really need is something to soak up that creamy sauce. Dinner rolls, Homemade Garlic Bread, Mashed Potatoes, white rice, or buttered egg noodles all make fantastic sides. A simple green salad is also a great way to round out the meal.
Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?
Yes. Assemble everything except the cracker topping, cover, and refrigerate. Add the buttery Cheez-It topping right before baking.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat individual portions in the microwave until warmed through, or place the baking dish back into a 325°F oven until hot. If you’d like the cracker topping to crisp back up, uncover it during the last few minutes of reheating.
Other Chicken Recipes
There's nothing more satisfying than a delicious homemade chicken dinner. I've rounded up all my Best Chicken Recipes so you can easily find them all in one place.
Broccoli Cheez-It Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Broccoli Floretes
- 4 Chicken Breasts (medium thickness)
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese, hand shredded
- 2 Cups Cheez-It Crackers
- 6 Tbs Butter, melted
- Parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x13" baking dish.
- Spread the broccoli florets into an even layer across the bottom of the baking dish. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Arrange the seasoned chicken over the broccoli.
- Spoon the sour cream evenly over each piece of chicken, spreading it gently with the back of a spoon. Add a layer of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Crush the Cheez-It crackers into coarse crumbs and combine them with the melted butter. Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the top.
- Place it into the center rack of the oven, uncovered for 40-50 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the topping is golden brown. Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving, garnish with parsley (optional) and enjoy!
Video
Other Chicken Casserole Recipes
If you like super easy to make chicken casserole recipes like this one, you have to try this Chicken And Stuffing Casserole, Chicken Divan and French Onion Chicken and Broccoli Casserole.
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