Description
This Creamy Bacon, Chicken and Broccoli Strata is a delicious bread bake perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a comforting dinner. Featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, fresh broccoli, and a creamy cheese sauce baked into fluffy bread cubes, it’s a hearty and flavorful dish that combines proteins and vegetables in a creamy, cheesy casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 250 g / 8 oz chicken breast fillet, cut into small bite size pieces
- 2 bacon rashers, diced
- 1 small brown onion (or 1/2 large), diced
- 4 packed cups (300g/10oz) broccoli florets
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Cheese Sauce
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 40 g / 1.3 oz / 3 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup grated cheese (tasty, cheddar, gruyere or any good melting cheese)
- 3 cups low fat milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Black pepper, to taste
Bread and Topping
- 3 to 4 slices of thick slice white sandwich bread, cut into 1cm / 1/3″ cubes
- 1/4 cup panko (or breadcrumbs)
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese, grated
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to ensure it reaches the perfect baking temperature while you prepare the strata components.
- Sauté Chicken, Bacon, and Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until it starts to crisp. Then add the chicken pieces and cook until no longer pink. Next, add the diced onion, broccoli florets, and minced garlic, cooking until the onion softens and broccoli is just tender. Set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour to form a roux and cook for about 1-2 minutes while stirring. Gradually whisk in the low fat milk to avoid lumps and cook until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the grated cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste, creating a creamy and flavorful sauce.
- Combine Ingredients and Assemble: In a large bowl, mix the sautéed chicken, bacon, vegetables, and the cubed bread. Pour over the cheese sauce and gently fold together until the bread is evenly coated. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish, pressing it down evenly. Sprinkle the top with panko breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese for a crunchy golden topping.
- Bake the Strata: Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden and the strata is set in the center. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving if desired.
Notes
- Use thick sliced white sandwich bread for the best texture; stale bread works well to absorb the sauce without getting mushy.
- You can substitute broccoli with other vegetables like spinach or mushrooms based on your preference.
- Make sure to cook the chicken through before assembling the strata to avoid undercooked meat.
- Letting the strata rest after baking helps it to set and makes slicing easier.
- For a richer flavor, you may use whole milk instead of low fat milk.
