Simple Steps to a Heartwarming Meal
1. Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your dish will cook evenly and come out bubbly and golden.
2. Prepare the Baking Dish
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. This will also make cleanup easier later.
3. Layer the Chicken and Broccoli
Arrange the cubed chicken and broccoli florets in the prepared baking dish. It’s helpful to spread them out in an even layer so that each bite gets a bit of both ingredients.
4. Make the Creamy Sauce
In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once the butter is fully melted, whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute. This creates a roux, which will thicken the sauce.
Gradually add 1 cup of chicken broth and 1 cup of milk to the roux, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture, stirring frequently, until it thickens and becomes smooth. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
Once the sauce has thickened, stir in ½ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of pepper, and ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Continue to stir until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
5. Assemble the Dish
Pour the creamy cheese sauce evenly over the chicken and broccoli in the baking dish. Make sure to cover all the ingredients with the sauce to ensure even flavor and texture.
6. Add the Crunchy Topping
Sprinkle ½ cup of bread crumbs evenly over the top of the dish. This will add a nice crunchy texture and a golden-brown finish once baked.
