Chicken and Broccoli Cheese Casserole

If you follow me on pinterest (hint, sidebar, hint) chances are you've seen this chicken, broccoli and cheese casserole. 

I really wanted to try it and I was kid free for the night, so I thought, why not. 

The original recipe called for cooked chicken, so I just grabbed a rotisserie chicken at WalMart and cubed it.

I also bought a package of steamable broccoli instead of fresh. It was just easier. :) Then...I remembered that our microwave is broken, so I still had to steam it on the stove top.

The sauce was super easy. Just half a package of cheese, some milk and chicken broth and some butter with a corn starch emulsion. It was really tasty and the most difficult part of the entire recipe, which isn't saying much.

Then, you top with the rest of the cheese and crushed Ritz crackers. Yum.

Recipe (adapted from www.justgetoffyourbuttsandbake.com)

Ingredients:

1 lb. bag frozen broccoli, steam half package direction time

3 cups cooked chicken breasts, cut or cube (I used a rotisserie chicken)
 

3 cups grated cheddar cheese, divided
 

2 tubes Ritz Crackers
 

1  stick melted butter
 

1/4 C. Cornstarch

1/3 C. Chicken Broth

2 Cups Milk

Salt, Pepper, Season to taste

Directions:

In greased 13×9 pan, layer the broccoli and chicken, then set aside.

In saucepan over medium heat, combine the melted butter, cornstarch dissolved in COLD water, chicken broth, seasonings, and milk. Stir well, and continue stirring until sauce has thickened. Turn heat down to low, and add 1- 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese. Stir until melted. Pour over the chicken and broccoli. Top with 1- 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese.

Melt remaining butter. Crush Ritz crackers in large zip-lock bag with a rolling pin. Don’t crush too small. Add crumbs to the melted butter. Sprinkle crumbs over the top of the grated cheese.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until hot & bubbly. 

**Edited to add: Velveeta would be really good with this recipe if you don't like cheddar. My 3 year old wasn't so much a fan of this, and I think the velveeta would have brought him around.**