# What You’ll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 large chicken breasts (approximately 1.1 lbs), cooked and shredded or cubed
→ Vegetables
02 - 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy
04 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
05 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
→ Pantry
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a medium baking dish measuring 8x12 inches.
02 - Steam or microwave broccoli florets for 2-3 minutes until just tender while maintaining bright green color. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, sautéed garlic, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, heavy cream, salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian herbs. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese evenly across the top.
06 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
07 - Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving.