CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI CASSEROLE

Olivia found this great recipe, tried it, and really liked it.  There are several special things about this recipe.  You use fresh broccoli  and the sauce is totally homemade.  The recipe calls for poppy seeds--a different twist for a chicken recipe but a really nice one.  The recipe also calls for Ritz crackers and lots of cheese--yum!
-Nanette

 French Chicken Broccoli Supreme

Ingredients:

  1 – lb. fresh broccoli Break in pieces, and steam for 2 minutes.
3 cups cooked chicken breasts  – Break up in small pieces
3 cups Grated Cheddar Cheese divided
2 tubes Ritz Crackers
1  stick melted butter
1 tablespoon poppy seeds

  SAUCE: 
1/3 C. Butter melted
1/4 C. Cornstarch, dissolved in 1/2 C. COLD Water
1/3 C. Chicken Broth
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
2 Cups Milk
1 1/2 cups of the above Cheddar Cheese

 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 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 the butter, and add the poppy seeds, and stir well. 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.

Recipe from:  "Get Off Your Butt and Bake" Website

Chicken and broccoli before it's smothered in sauce and cracker crumbs:

Cheesy, yummy sauce:

Finished casserole: