Last Updated on March 28, 2024 by Share My Kitchen
Some of you might complain that the chicken-broccoli recipe is too labour-intensive. And indeed, it takes time to prepare it and then do the washing up afterward. But it’s worth it, I want to assure you – it’s creamy, warming, and healthy, and definitely worth the effort.
Chicken and Broccoli With Béchamel Sauce Recipe
Serves: 4 (large portions)
Preparation & cooking time: 75 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken legs and thighs or around
- 600g chicken breasts
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1celery stalk with leaves,
- chopped 2 bay leaves
- 4 parsley sprigs
- Salt and pepper
- 0,7l béchamel sauce
- 1 head of broccoli (500g) cut in florets
- 50g Parmesan, grated
- Freshly ground nutmeg
Method:
Place the chicken legs in a saucepan, cover with water and add salt, pepper, onion, celery, bay leaves, and parsley.
Bring to a boil and lower the heat. Skim the stock, cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, until chicken is tender.
Meanwhile, prepare the béchamel sauce. It’s now time to steam the broccoli but first cut the head in small flowerets and rinse well. If you don’t have steamer basket, try steel pasta colander – it does the same job.
Place it in a large saucepan, add water but be careful it doesn’t touch the bottom of the basket. Place the broccoli flowerets and cover. Bring to a boil over high heat and steam it for 3 to 4 minutes.For frozen broccoli use the same method but steam for a shorter time.
At this stage you want the broccoli half-cooked, as you will cook them more lately. When the chicken is ready, leave it to slightly cool in the stock, and then skin and debone legs and thighs, and tear the meat into bite-size pieces.
Mix the chicken with half of the béchamel sauce. Distribute the mix into 4 large ramekins. Arrange the broccoli florets on the top and cover them with the rest of the béchamel.
How Long Should you bake the chicken broccoli
Bake at 180 C/360 F for about 15 minutes or just until bubbly. Sprinkle with the grated Parmesan, and return in the oven for additional 2-3 minutes, or till the cheese is slightly golden.
Serve hot, with some freshly ground nutmeg sprinkled on top.
