Description
A comforting chicken casserole with asparagus and melted mozzarella that brings warmth and nostalgia to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup cooked white rice or cooked penne pasta (optional)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season the cubed chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the chicken is lightly browned but not fully cooked. Add the asparagus to the skillet and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a light roux. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream while stirring continuously. Sprinkle in the basil, Italian seasoning, paprika, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Simmer for 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish. If you’re using rice or pasta, spread it evenly along the bottom of the dish. Layer the sautéed chicken and asparagus over this base. Pour the creamy sauce evenly over the entire dish, ensuring every bite is coated. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses generously over the top.
- Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Broil for 1-2 minutes, if desired, for a bubbly finish.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
For healthier alternatives, consider substituting heavy cream with Greek yogurt and using low-fat cheese.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg