Making a delicious heart healthy chicken recipe in under an hour will be a breeze when you try this chicken broccoli casserole. Juicy shredded chicken breast, vibrant broccoli florets and gluten-free penne are dressed with a rich and creamy sauce and topped with a cheesy crunchy topping for an unbelievably flavorful and nutrient-packed dish.
Need an easy chicken casserole recipe that’s healthy and delicious? This low calorie chicken dish clocks in at just 290 calories per serving, even though it tastes like a hearty and indulgent meal. With a hefty dose of protein from the chicken, as well as fiber from the veggies, it’s also a heart-healthy and diabetic-friendly chicken recipe the whole family will love. Plus, it takes less than an hour to cook, so you won’t have to spend too much time in the kitchen.
To keep this recipe heart healthy, we used low-fat grilled chicken breasts. Then we added plenty of broccoli to boost the fiber and vitamins in this dish. The mouth-watering flavor comes from rosemary, paprika and sage so we don’t have to use too much salt. And the base for the rich, thick sauce in this low sodium chicken recipe is unsalted chicken stock, to keep sodium as low as possible.
Although this casserole contains pasta, which is typically not gluten-free, we made this chicken and pasta recipe with gluten-free penne so that even people with gluten sensitivities can eat it. And instead of using gluten-containing flour to thicken the casserole, we used almond flour and cornstarch. Then we topped the chicken casserole with crushed gluten-free corn flakes for a lovely crunch.
Wondering what the best recipe for leftover chicken is? Casseroles may be the answer. These one-pan chicken dishes are a great way to use up leftover chicken, whether chicken breasts or chicken thighs, and can turn your leftovers into a unique and healthy meal with any ingredients you have on hand. They’re economical because they use-up food that may otherwise go to waste and they’re also usually simple to make. All you have to do is mix together the ingredients and cook them in the oven in a flavorful sauce and you’ll wind up with a healthy chicken dinner that’s sure to please the whole family.
Recipe yields 10 servings
Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Cook the pasta in lightly salted water to al dente according to package directions. During the last 3 minutes of cooking the pasta, add the broccoli florets. Before draining the pasta and broccoli, reserve ½ cup of the pasta water. Drain and transfer the pasta and broccoli to the prepared casserole dish.
In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook until it begins to brown and turns translucent. Add the garlic and flour; cook for 1 minute.
Add the stock, reserved water and milk while whisking constantly until fully incorporated. Add the cornstarch and stir until completely dissolved. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the sauce begins to thicken, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove from heat. Add the chicken, black pepper, rosemary, sage, paprika and salt; stir until well combined. Pour chicken mixture over the pasta and gently stir to combine. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
In a small mixing bowl, combine the corn flakes and butter. Add the black pepper and stir to combine. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, until casserole is hot and bubbling in the center. Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onion and enjoy immediately.
This casserole is one of our most popular under 300 calorie dinner recipes, but it’s not the only one you’ll love. Our chefs have created dozens of quick and easy recipes for leftover chicken and other healthy weeknight dinner ideas. Or check out the chicken recipes below.