Ingredients

• 10 oz. fresh broccoli florets (about 2 to 2 1/4 cups)
• 2 cups uncooked extra wide noodles
• 2 cups sliced or cubed cooked chicken breast (see recipe for cooking directions)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 5 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups cooked cubed or sliced chicken breast
• 1 cup soft bread crumbs (made from sourdough or other bread)
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 6 slices bacon

Directions

Preheat oven to 375° F.

Cook bacon until crisp. Set aside until cool, them crumble into pieces and set aside.

Cook noodles according to directions. While noodles are cooking, prepare broccoli (directions follow).

Heat about 1 inch of water to boiling in a medium saucepan. Place rinsed florets in a vegetable steamer over boiling water and cover. Steam for 4 minutes, then immediately remove from water and transfer florets to a 9x12 or 9x13-inch casserole dish. Pour lemon juice over broccoli and gently toss to combine. Arrange florets evenly in casserole dish. Set aside.

In a small mixing bowl, combine soft bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese and whisk or stir to combine. Add 2 tablespoons melted butter and whisk or stir again until blended. Set aside.

Cut thicker pieces of chicken in half lengthwise to create thinner pieces (this will allow the chicken to cook more quickly and evenly). Lightly season chicken with salt and pepper. Add olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter to a large skillet. Heat until butter is melted, combining oil and butter. Add chicken pieces to skillet and cook over medium-high heat on both sides until lightly browned and no pink remains in center (about 5 minutes per side). (Note: Leave bits and pieces in skillet to use later with the sauce.) Transfer chicken to a cutting board and cut into bite-size slices or cubes. Set aside.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt and pepper. Melt the last 2 tablespoons of butter in the skillet. Add flour mixture to melted butter and whisk until blended to create a "roux." Pour milk into roux, whisking constantly until thoroughly blended and mixture thickens and bubbles. Remove skillet from heat, then stir in shredded cheese and continue stirring until cheese has fully melted. Add sour cream and stir to blend. Stir chicken pieces and noodles into cheese sauce, then pour entire mixture over broccoli in casserole dish.

Evenly sprinkle crumbled bacon over the top of the casserole, then scatter bread crumb mixture evenly over the top of all. Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes or until sauce appears bubbly and bread crumb topping has turned a light golden brown and appears slightly crispy. Serve.