Chicken Broccoli "Pot Pie"

Hungry for some real comfort food, but running short on time? Give this super simple casserole a try. All the creaminess of pot pie without the work of making pie dough. Gene liked it so much he almost licked his plate clean, and then we made it for Matt a few days later when he came home from college and it got his seal of approval too. A winner!!

Chicken Broccoli "Pot Pie"

1 1/2 C broccoli florets
2 onions, finely chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
6T olive oil, butter or a combo -- divided
Salt, pepper and cayenne to taste (a little lemon pepper also tastes good)
1/4 C flour
1/2 C chicken broth or white wine (I used broth)
1 C half and half
2 C milk
3-4C good quality bread, torn into pieces
2 1/2 C shredded chicken (make it easy and use a rotisserie chicken)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Steam broccoli (okay to do this in microwave). Once cooked, give a rough chop (the size pieces you'd like to eat in one bite) and set aside.

In a large pot saute 2 onions in 3T olive oil or butter. When softened add minced garlic and cook for one minute. Season with salt, pepper and cayenne.

Add chicken broth or wine and cook a few minutes til evaporated. Add flour and cook several minutes, stirring. Gradually whisk in half and half and milk. Bring to boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly. Cook til thickened. Remove from heat. Taste for seasoning. Stir in cooked broccoli pieces and shredded chicken.

Mix bread with 3T olive oil or melted butter (or a combo) and a dash of kosher salt.

Place chicken mixture in buttered baking dish. Top with prepared bread and bake at 450 degrees for around 10 minutes or until mixture is bubbly and bread is toasty. (Watch carefully to prevent tips of bread from burning. See my picture for the example of what NOT to do!)

Make Ahead: You can prepare this dish the day before and place in a microwave-safe baking dish. When ready to eat, microwave about 7 minutes, stirring every few minutes, til heated. Top with bread just before baking 8 to 10 minutes.