Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Bake

Tonight's dinner was a delicious easy healthy casserole! I adapted a recipe that I had found online, and simplified it! Next time, I will definitely use bread crumbs, rather than the crackers, although the crackers added some great crunch to the meal! Also, I think I will add 2 cups of cooked pasta, elbows or spirals! You could easily add some extra veggies as well! Enjoy! 

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Bake 

Ingredients: 

1 lb. fresh broccoli 

2 cups of cooked chicken breast (about 3-4 chicken breasts)

4 cups of finely grated cheddar cheese (divided) 

2 tubes of Ritz Crackers or 2 cups of bread crumbs

1 stick of melted butter AND 1/3 cup of melted butter 

1/4 cup Cornstarch 

1/2 cup COLD water 

1/3 cup Chicken Broth 

1/4 tsp. Salt

1/4 tsp. Pepper 

2 cup Milk 

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Chop broccoli into small pieces, steam for two minutes. Cook chicken, cut into small cubes. 

In a greased 13x9 pan, layer broccoli and chicken. Set aside. 

Dissolve 1/4 cup cornstarch into 1/2 cup COLD water. Then, in a saucepan, combine 1/3 cup melted butter, cornstarch dissolved in water, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and milk, cook over medium heat for 5-6 mins. Sauce will slightly thicken. Turn heat to medium-low, add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir and cook until the sauce is smooth.

Pour the sauce over the top of the chicken and broccoli. Top with the remaining 2 cups of cheddar cheese. 

Crush two sleeves of Ritz crackers (or you can use bread crumbs). Melt 1 stick of butter, and stir in the crackers (or bread crumbs). Spread the mixture over the top of the cheese. 

Bake for 30 mins at 350 degrees or until bubbling.