Nixon Chicken is creamy, cheesy, and SO easy! With a lid of melty cheddar on top of a hearty creamy chicken filling, this chicken casserole is seriously irresistible. Plus, we’re talking just 7 ingredients and 10 minutes prep!
With a short list of ingredients and super simple prep, Nixon Chicken and Broccoli might just be the easiest chicken casserole recipe ever!
I love that this Nixon Chicken casserole works well as an all-in-one-meal. It has protein and veggies built in! If you want to add a green salad or a starch like rice, go for it – but it’s great without, too. It is a vintage recipe worth keeping around.
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Low carb, high protein – With just 8 grams of carbs per serving, Nixon Chicken is perfect for if you’re watching your carb intake. On the flip side, it’s super high in protein – 30 grams worth!
- Simple & easy – It’s SO easy to make this Nixon Chicken Divan! Simply mix together shredded chicken and the other ingredients, then spread in a baking dish, top with cheese, and bake!
- Family friendly – Everyone loves this cheesy Nixon Cnhicken recipe! Even if you have some broccoli doubters in the house, they’re going to want to give it a chance when it’s in a cream, cheesy sauce.
- Perfect for meal prep – Assemble the casserole over the weekend, cover, and refrigerate up to 4 days ahead of time. When it’s time to make dinner, just uncover and bake!
Why is it called Nixon Chicken?
Nixon Chicken is named after U.S. president Richard Nixon, who was president from 1969-1974. Some believe this is Mrs. Nixon’s chicken casserole. However, the story goes that his daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, is actually the one who created this creamy chicken casserole (and then named it after her father).
Nixon Chicken casserole was recently featured on Netflix’s “The Watcher,” and has experienced a bit of a resurgence.
Recipe Notes
This Nixon Chicken recipe is as simple as promised! Just 7 ingredients for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Nixon Chicken to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Chicken – You’ll want three cups of cooked chicken. I like to use rotisserie chicken for my Nixon Chicken recipe, which makes it so easy!
- Cream of mushroom soup – One can of condensed cream of mushroom soup helps give Nixon chicken and broccoli its creamy consistency. If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, cream of chicken will work fine, too.
- Onion – You’ll need half a medium onion. I like to use yellow onion for Nixon’s chicken, but white or sweet onions will work, too. Be sure to dice it finely – you want the onion flavor but not big chunks of onion.
- Mayonnaise – For more creaminess and a hint of tangy, savory flavor. Trust me!
- Cheddar cheese – Shredded cheddar gets mixed into the creamy chicken filling and also sprinkled on top for a melty cheddar lid.
- Eggs – Eggs bind together the casserole, help keep it creamy, and add a bit of extra protein.
- Broccoli – Another thing I really love about this recipe is that you don’t need to wash and chop the broccoli. Just pour a 12-ounce bag of frozen broccoli into your casserole dish!
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Nixon Chicken & Veggies– If you’re craving a little variety, you can swap out the broccoli for a frozen vegetable mix. I really like California-style mixed vegetables with a mix of cauliflower, carrots, and broccoli.
- Bacon Ranch Nixon Chicken– Add 2 tablespoons ranch dressing mix and 1/2 cup crumbled bacon to the chicken filling for a smoky ranch-flavored twist.
- Spicy Nixon Chicken– Add 1/4 teaspoon crushed red peppers to the filling and swap the cheddar for Pepper Jack cheese.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Nixon Chicken.
Add the cream of mushroom soup, onion, mayo, eggs, and 1 cup of the cheese to a mixing bowl.
Cut or shred the chicken into small pieces and add it to the bowl.
Mix until well-combined.
Spread the broccoli over the bottom of the baking dish.
Pour the chicken and soup mixture over the broccoli and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Bake until completely cooked through, and the cheesy top is melted, bubbling, and golden brown.
Recipe Tips
- Use a 2-quart baking dish – Look for a 7″x11″ rectangle baking dish or square 9″x9″ dish. An 8″x13″ oval baking dish will work well, too.
- Garnish with parsley – While it’s not required, a sprinkle of chopped parsley on top of your baked casserole adds a fresh bit of color.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Use already-chopped and prepped ingredients – From the shredded chicken and cheese to the diced onion, you can find already-prepped ingredients at most grocery stores. Then it’s just a matter of mixing it all together, layering it in your pan, and baking!
- Make or freeze ahead – Assemble your Nixon Chicken Casserole up to the point of baking, then cover it well and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Then just bake it when you’re ready to eat it! I suggest letting the frozen casserole thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
- Plan ahead – Make a rotisserie chicken or baked chicken breasts for dinner earlier in the week, and save the leftovers for this easy Nixon’s Chicken later on in the week.
What to Serve with Nixon Chicken
Since this easy dinner has the delicious flavors of cheddar and broccoli, it will pair well with many of your favorite classic side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Savory Sweet Mashed Potatoes
- Herb Roasted Potatoes
- Lemon Rice
- Bisquick Cheddar Bay Biscuits
- Italian House Salad
Nixon Chicken Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Recipe FAQ’s
Is Nixon Chicken similar to Chicken Divan?
Yes, it is very similar! Like Nixon’s Chicken, Chicken Divan is often made with chicken, broccoli, and cheddar in a creamy sauce.
Can I add breadcrumbs to the top of Nixon Chicken?
Absolutely! Breadcrumbs or crushed Ritz crackers are popular choices. I suggest adding the crumbs about 1/2 way through the baking time so that they don’t burn. Drizzle with a couple tablespoons melted butter for extra golden crumbs!
More EASY Chicken Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy chicken recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Salsa Fresca Chicken
- Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Rice Casserole
- Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake
- Shredded BBQ Chicken Casserole
Nixon Chicken
Ingredients
- 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup, (1 can)
- 1/2 onion, finely diced
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups shredded chicken, (I used rotisserie)
- 12 ounces frozen broccoli florets
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350˚F.
- In a large bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, onion, mayonnaise, and eggs. Stir in the onion, 1 cup of the cheese, and the chicken until mixed.
- In a 2 quart casserole dish (or 9×9 inch) spread the broccoli over the bottom of the dish. Pour the soup mixture over the broccoli. Then top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake 45-55 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
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