Buttery Garlic Chicken Casserole

Garlicky creamy chicken with broccoli made in a square Anyday dish in the microwave, featuring tender chicken pieces cooked in a rich garlic cream sauce and paired with fresh broccoli.

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

11-12 mins

Free Time

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This casserole dish is inspired by Chicken Kiev, the nostalgic, buttery dish popular back in 1960-1070s. To make, cook chicken tenders in a creamy, cooks in a creamy, velvety sauce made from garlic, butter, and a splash of cream, brightened with fresh lemon zest and juice. Broccoli florets add a boost of veggies, and the crispy panko topping gives it a delightful crunch.

Using Anyday dishes makes preparing this meal a breeze. Prep, cook, serve, store, and reheat all in one dish! The silicone-lined lid ensures that all of the moisture stays inside of the chicken, and serves as a convenient cover for tomorrow’s leftovers!

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

What You’ll Need

The Small Square Dish

Flash-steam small portions of food in the microwave, evenly reheat leftovers, or store food in the fridge with the lid’s airtight seal.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!

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‏‏‎ ‎Serving Size

1-2

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‏‏‎ ‎Wattage

700w

Recommended

Dish

The Small Square Dish

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons chicken stock
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon cornstarch
⅛ teaspoon salt
4 (8oz) chicken tenders
1 cup (50g) broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
¼ cup (25g) panko breadcrumbs (optional)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 500°F.
In a Square dish, combine butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, chicken stock, heavy cream, cornstarch, and salt. Stir well. Cover with the lid (knob lifted).
Cook in the microwave for 3-4 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. Stir halfway through cook time to make sure the thicker cream at the bottom is all mixed in. It's okay if the butter appears to be separated!
Add the chicken tenders, tossing to coat them in the sauce. Place the broccoli florets on top and cover with the lid (knob lifted).
Cook in the microwave at Power Level 6tooltip for 8 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Top the casserole with panko and toast in the oven uncovered until the top is golden and crispy. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Serving suggestions & tips

Cheesy chicken casserole: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, gouda or jack cheese on top for an extra layer of richness and flavor.
Quick rice and chicken casserole: To bulk this up, stir in pre-cooked rice 4 minutes before the cooking time ends.
Extra veggies: Serve with a side of microwave-steamed vegetables like asparagus, potatoes, sweet potatoes, or carrots.
Crispy onions: Top with crispy fried onions or shallots for an added crunch and extra flavor.

Recipe notes

You can cook this recipe up to 4 days in advance. Simply store it in the refrigerator and reheat as needed.
Don’t have panko? Use regular or Italian breadcrumbs. You can also omit them all together! Skip Step 6 and serve with parsley as-is.
Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

All You Need to Know About Making Buttery Garlic Chicken Casserole in the Microwave

What is Buttery Garlic Chicken Casserole?

Buttery Garlic Chicken Casserole is a creamy, comforting dish inspired by Chicken Kiev. This recipe combines chicken tenders with a rich, buttery garlic sauce, brightened with lemon zest and juice. Add broccoli for a nutritious boost and serve over rice or noodles.

Can I make Buttery Garlic Chicken Casserole in the microwave?

Yes, you can make this dish in the microwave but be sure to use an Anyday dish for best results (i.e. tender, not-rubbery chicken). Simply follow the recipe instructions above, adjusting the cooking times based on your microwave wattage. For the best texture and flavor, cook the sauce first, then add the chicken and cook at a lower power level for tender and juicy results. The lid on your Anyday dish will help cook the chicken from the inside out and keep the dish moist.

Why do I need to lower the power level?

Lowering the power level allows the chicken to cook gently in the sauce. By using a reduced power setting, you allow the flavors to meld perfectly, and avoid rubbery chicken. Find out more about power levels in our blog here.

The butter is pooling on top — is this normal?

It is totally expected for the butter to pool on top of the sauce in this dish. It was inspired by the recipe for Chicken Kiev, where a thin chicken cutlet is wrapped around cold butter and deep fried. When the Chicken Kiev is sliced, the butter pools onto the plate (just like this casserole!) so you can dip each bite of chicken into the flavorful, buttery sauce.

Why make the sauce first?

By making the sauce first, you’ll make sure it thickens to the ideal consistency. Thickening it before adding the chicken allows the chicken's juices to seep into the sauce, resulting in a rich and smooth texture.

Can I use other vegetables?

Absolutely! You can use spinach, Swiss chard, kale, green beans, peas, snap peas, or asparagus as alternatives. To ensure the vegetables retain a slight crunch,, add the vegetables 3-5 minutes before the cooking time ends, depending on the serving size.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free or gluten-free?

Absolutely! To make a dairy-free version, substitute a plant-based alternative for the butter and coconut milk for the heavy cream. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free cornstarch and use either gluten-free panko breadcrumbs or omit them altogether.

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken tenders?

Yes, chicken breast can be used in place of chicken tenders. Keep in mind that chicken breasts may need a longer cooking time due to their thickness. For more even cooking, cut the chicken breasts into smaller, bite-sized pieces.

Can I prepare the casserole ahead of time and bake it later?

Yes, you can prepare the casserole ahead of time, simply cook the creamy chicken casserole, let it cool completely, cover with the lid and refrigerate until ready to reheat. When you’re ready to serve, reheat the casserole in the microwave and add the breadcrumbs, finishing the recipe as instructed in step 6 making sure to preheat the oven to 500°F.

How long can I store leftovers? Can I freeze it?

You can store the cooked casserole in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it in an Anyday dish with the lid on, and reheat for 1-4 minutes, depending on the serving size. If you want to freeze it, let the cooked casserole cool completely, cover with the lid, and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat from frozen, simply place the Anyday dish in the microwave and reheat at full power. For more tips on reheating, check out our reheating blog.